An area of Kansas that not many seem to know about is the Gypsum Hills region. This is a formation of old rock from the Permian era, and has a lot of iron in it that turns red when exposed to the air. The western end of this red hill formation is home to The Big Basin Preserve.

As is usually the case my plans were spoiled a bit by the weather. I had planned to see sunrise in the Gypsum Hills to start things off. The night before my trip I checked weather conditions and it was supposed to be cloudy and possible rain most of the way so I scratched the sunrise expedition. I did stop …