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    Kansas Country Living Magazine
    Home » Current Issue

    Current Issue

    Rail-Trail Riding

    Features

    Railways converted to multiuse trails are among my favorite to ride, likely because I grew up able to ride the Missouri-Kansas-Texas railroad corridor in the early stages of it becoming a state park. I also appreciate the even surface, places to stop along the routes, lack of vehicle traffic and the abundance of scenery often

    A large group of individuals pose in front of Pike's Peak in Colorado before their group bicycle ride down the mountain.

    Mountain Biking

    Features

    Mountain biking is one of the styles that intimidates me, more so after trying out a few trails that required technical skill I didn’t have. That means I limit myself to hiking when visiting Utah, Arizona, Colorado, Vermont and other destinations with worthy mountain bike trails. While I’d love to cover more ground by riding,

    Two individuals bicycle near bluffs in Missouri.

    Gravel Grinding

    Features

    There’s an easy explanation for why gravel biking is the fastest growing style of riding: there are more than 2 million miles of unpaved roads across the country, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. “We don’t have to construct anything, the roads are already here,” said LeLan Dains, cyclist and owner of Gravel City

    Road Cycling

    Features

    Cycling on paved roadways is one of the most accessible ways to ride, possibly beginning right outside your door. Serious road riders use lightweight bikes and are committed to long, sustained rides, whether it’s on flat urban and rural roads or mountain road climbs. Many bike races happen on pavement, though commuting and recreational riding

    Two e-bikes are posed on a beach in Texas.

    Electric Bikes Open Up Possibilities

    Features

    In Austin, Texas, we pedaled a bicycle through downtown neighborhoods while listening to a songwriter-turned-tour guide spin behind-the-music-scene tales, and during a quick stop on the state’s Gulf Coast, we rented bikes to explore the island city of Galveston on our own. These were our first experiences with electric bicycles, and my husband went along

    Maple bacon granola tops a blue bowl of vanilla ice cream and bacon.

    The Things I Carried: Travels with Bacon and More

    Cooking My Way Home

    I was not surprised when I was pulled aside by the TSA in the Sacramento airport, and I had my story down. “That’s my lunch,” I said of the two pints of pickled corn relish pulled from my backpack by the agent, who eyed me with a combination of skepticism and disinterest. My stolid proclamation

    Maple bacon granola in a tin with bacon in the background.

    Maple-Bacon Granola

    Recipes

    Maple-Bacon Granola Don’t forget the bacon … in this sweet-salty-crunchy snack, perfect to carry along on the hiking trail or in the car for a road trip. It’s a tasty topper for yogurt parfaits for the brunch table, too, or sprinkled over ice cream. I played around with this recipe — adapted from a few

    In the front of the photo you see a newly exposed line of soil for planting. In the background is a pond and house.

    Tilling — Best Practices to Protect Soil

    Your Place in the Garden

    In the garden, most of the attention goes to the growth above the ground; the areas we are easily able to enjoy with our senses. Seasoned gardeners know it is what’s going on below that determines the quality of the resulting blooms and produce. Tillage is the practice of mechanically digging into and turning the

    A bicycling traffic sign next to a rural road.

    Bicycling: Following the Rules of the Road

    Safety

    Summer increases pedestrian and bicycle traffic, both for recreation and as a primary mode of transportation. Plus, gas prices in the last few years have resulted in an increase in bicycle purchases and other non-motorized alternative transportation, especially in Kansas’ urban areas. Bicycle trips make up only 1% of all trips in the United States.

    Pork chops on a white plate, blanketed in peach pecan salsa

    Grilled Pork Chops with Peach Pecan Salsa

    Recipes

    Grilled Pork Chops with Peach Pecan Salsa 4 1-inch thick boneless pork loin chops3/4 tsp. plus 1/8 tsp. kosher salt (divided)Freshly ground black pepper (to taste)2 medium peaches (diced)2/3 cup raw pecan pieces2 Tbsp. red onion (diced)2 Tbsp. chopped fresh basil1 tsp. minced jalapeno pepper2 tsp. lime juice Season the pork chops with the 3/4

    Grilled potatoes garnished with parsley and bacon in a white bowl.

    Grilled Warm Potato Salad with Bacon

    Recipes

    Grilled Warm Potato Salad with Bacon 6 slices bacon thick-cut (cooked until crisp, then coarsely crumbled)2 lb. red new potatoes (golf-ball size, scrubbed and poked with a fork)2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil4 green onions including green tops (cut crosswise into thin rounds)1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil1 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar1 large clove garlic minced2 Tbsp.

    An electric vehicle charges at a public charging station.

    My EV Experience — Part 2

    Web Exclusive

    Adam Vlach, a freelance writer specializing in business and technology trends, is conducting research on market sentiment around electric vehicles (EVs). He interviewed Tim Power, CEO of DSO Electric Cooperative based in Salina, as part of this research. The interview is below. ADAM We’ve established the benefits of electric vehicles, and there are many. Like

    The Scott Community High School e-car racing team took home first place plaques in both the solar and standard divisions during the Sunflower ElectroRally at the Spencer Flight & Education Center on April 6.

    Sunflower ElectroRally Kicks Off E-Car Racing Season

    Co-op Community Commitment

    A wave of the green flag and the race is off! How many laps can specially designed electric cars — built by teams of high school students — make in a single hour around a track or course? Spectators at the Sunflower ElectroRally watched that question and answer come to life as the first race

    Headshot of Vicki Estews

    Lessons from ‘Numbers for Word People’ Handy Most of the Time

    Editor's Letter

    Early in my career, I had the honor of working for one of the 11 Federal Home Loan Banks, which are U.S. government-sponsored banks providing liquidity to the members of financial institutions to support housing finance and community investment. The banks’ members include thrift institutions, commercial banks, credit unions, insurance companies, and certified community development

    KEC CEO Lee Tafanelli

    Knowledge is Power — Factors that Impact Electric Rates

    CEO Viewpoint

    Understanding how electric rates are set is fundamental to any discussion about electric rates in our state, and electric co-ops believe it is important for their consumer-members and policymakers to understand the basics. If one possesses knowledge on why rates vary from co-op to co-op, why co-op rates differ from investor-owned and municipal utilities, and

    A home is adorned with residential solar panels.

    Necessary Steps for Solar Commissioning

    Energy Wise

    I’m interested in adding solar panels to my house. What steps do I need to take? Getting a solar photovoltaic system installed and operational on your house or property involves working with several parties to ensure a safe, functional and cost-effective system. You need to work with your electric cooperative, local building department and a



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    Kansas Country Living

    Kansas Country Living is designed to educate Kansas electric cooperative consumer-members on topics that impact rural electrification.

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