Jewell, Republic and Smith counties were busy May 4 to 7 with visitors participating in the Big Kansas Road Trip. Locals, Kansans from across the state and visitors from eight different states were among the crowd. The Kansas Sampler Foundation, an Inman-based nonprofit, partners with three different counties each year to put on the event. In what was its fifth installment, the BKRT served as an opportunity for our communities to showcase who we are and for visitors to gain firsthand experience of rural living.

In Jewell County, explorers participated in activities put together by community me...