Since arriving in Kansas a year ago, I've learned a lot of things about this state.

It didn't take me long to realize, as most newcomers soon do, that Kansas is not as "flat as a pancake." In fact, I didn't have to look far to find places to hike that were just as challenging as the West Virginia hills I grew up in.

To be fair, I've gotten almost as much pleasure simply walking down one of those pefectly level country roads that seem to stretch off into the distance, straight as an arrow, forever. But variety is the spice of life, as they say, and I've spent many weekends exploring small chunks of the wide open spaces here in search of unique hiking experiences.

One of the highlights in this quest so far has to be Smoky Hill Wildlife Area, just north of Kanopolis Lake. Well worth the trip indeed. For an overview of the vast trail system in this remote area, check out the story I wrote for The Hutchinson News.

That story is the first of a monthly series of trail reports I'll be writing for the newspaper. But in addition, I'll be posting exclusive trail logs and photo galleries here whenever I get back from one of my forays on foot.

So, without further ado, here is my first trlog, if you will, from Smoky Hill Wildlife Area.