Shorter and Sweeter: Arkalon Park

Shorter and Sweeter                                                                 By Rachel

  Our run in Liberal, Kansas, was the shortest yet. Coincidentally, it was also the most scenic. While most of the runs we take in Eat & Run are through towns and parks in residential areas, this one was secluded in a semiarid part of southwestern Kansas near Liberal. It was like a desert out there. The two of us were dropped off on a dirt road that wound through hills covered in cacti and yucca plants. Of course, for authenticity's sake, there were almost no signs of civilization anywhere. So we ran steadily downhill through the dusty bluffs for a whopping distance of less than a mile. In our defense, it was midday and the heat was characteristically oppressive.
  This small run wasn't even unbroken. Unsurprisingly, Mom stopped to take pictures. Her phonetography is coming along nicely. While she did interrupt our run, it's thanks to her that the trip was so well documented. As much as I despise singing the praises of someone who has the audacity to make me clean my room, the following photos were all taken by her. Here's a little taste of the wasteland we were stranded in.

 

This railroad bridge is known at the "Samson of the Cimarron." 

Arkalon Park is 10 miles northeast of Liberal, Kansas on US Highway 54.

That's mighty Liberal of you: La Hacienda

It seems like a dream now, but we actually lived in Liberal, Kansas from the fall of 1994 through the summer of 1996. And while we hadn't originally set our sites on living in southwestern Kansas, there were some things we enjoyed. One of them was this really good Mexican joint called El Amigo Chavez. I was pregnant for a substantial amount of the time that we lived there, and let's just say there were some cravings going on that brought us there on a regular basis.

So on our way out to a camping/lake trip, we decided to take a side trip into Liberal, show Erin where she was born and revisit our old haunt. However, fate was not on our side as this object of our affection was closed on Mondays. Dan was bummed and so I quickly scanned the internet for a consolation choice and came across La Hacienda. It had some positive online buzz, so away we went.

I am regretting that I didn't get an exterior photo because it was located in an old drive-in restaurant and honestly looked a bit sketchy. But we were starving and nothing but Mexican food was going to do. Upon entering, we were relieved to find the interior clean and attractive. We were having a late lunch at around 2 p.m. so we almost had the place to ourselves.

The menu was pretty extensive and cheap. Lots of combo-type platters for $8.95. They even had a special for $5.95, a smothered burrito with red or green chili sauce. The menu also featured a lot of seafood choices including a fish soup which I was really tempted to try. The seafood entrees were priced in the $14 range. The menu featured breakfast items, as well.

We snacked on chips and salsa during the short wait for our meals. The chips were crispy and kind of unusual in that they were strips. The salsa had a good flavor and a pretty good kick to it. The service was quick and efficient.

My meal was a chicken enchilada, a tamale, a guacamole tostada, rice and beans. Did I mention I gained 4 pounds this week?

Dan got the special, a smothered burrito with red chili sauce plus rice and beans. 

Who orders pancakes at a Mexican food place? This one.

Valerie got some really crispy looking flautas and Erin opted for chicken quesadillas. Everyone was really happy with their meals. I especially enjoyed my tamale as they are a favorite of mine. Then it happened. Someone pointed out that sopapillas were only 50 cents each. So we threw caution to the wind and did a rare thing--ordered dessert. I have to say that my children are still rhapsodizing about those things, They were large, hot, fluffy, cinnamon-sugared heaven. I am pretty sure we would take another four hour drive to Liberal for the sole purpose of eating them again.

Oh honey!

La Hacienda is located at 339 E. Pancake Blvd. in Liberal, Kansas. If you find yourself in Southwestern Kansas, it's worth checking out.