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Loving God's Country!
ohio
Senior Member
Joined: 03/19/2003
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In July on our way home from our Colorado trip we want to stop in West Mineral Kansas and see the big earth mover "Big Brutus"! Our kids (boys 4 & 10)are going to love to see it. I would greatly appreciate any info. on nice campgrounds in the area. Are there any nice state parks in the area? We like them better since they are so much more roomier. We greatly appreciate any info. Thanks!!
God Bless and Happy Camping!!! 
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Chinook
Missouri
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Joined: 03/09/2004
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I have planning to see “Big Brutus” myself. Last time I saw him, he was “Working”.
I think that there is camping onsite.
The closest state park Crawford State Park is approximately 30 miles to the Northeast.
http://www.kdwp.state.ks.us/pmforum/crawford.html
There is free overnight camping with some hook-ups at Chanute, Kansas, approximately 60 miles to the Northwest.
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Ron Brogan
Andover, Kansas
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Joined: 08/18/2003
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We are from Kansas and grew up in Southeast Kansas, about 30 miles from Brutus. The Earlier Chanute and Crawford County State Park suggestions are good. The Chanute facility is about 1/2 mile from the Hitch Hiker factory and service center.
There is also a municipal campground on the east edge of Parsons, Kansas (about 20-25 miles west of Brutus). It is not fancy but, like Chanute, it is cheap ($5 as I recall). Look for a large sports stadium on the South side of HW 400 and about 1/2 mile West of the WalMart. The campground is on the South end of the stadiuim.
Also, if you don't mind overnighting in a parking lot, Parsons has a new truck stop at the intersection of highways 400 and 59. They advertise welcome to RV'ers and even have a dump station.
Even closer, you might try a municipal campground on the West edge of Pittsburg. I believe you turn east off of the 69 bypass onto 12th in the southern part of town. The campground is located just a block or so off of the bypass and is next to a large city park.
I just took a look at freecampgrounds.com and they do mention a campground at the Big Brutus site at West Mineral. Says slots are $5 - $7.5 each. If you haven't done so already take a look at the brutus site at http://www.lasr.net/pages/city.php?City_ID=KS0606017&VA=Y&Attraction_ID=KS0606017a001 (if you cannot go directly from this link, enter the Pittsburg website http://www.lasr.net/pages/city.php?City_ID=KS0606017&VA=Y and link from that page.
Keep in mind that some of these campgrounds are small as well as cheap. Brutus stays pretty busy and they have a lot of concerts, craft shows and other local activities. Availability might be an issue.
By the way, Brutus was in operation when I was attending Pittsburg State University in the late 60's. One of our instructors arranged a field trip to Brutus and it was fascinating. We were able to go into the operator's cab (about 6 stories up as I recall) while he was eating the local landscape. The shovel was actuall located about 2 miles from the present location at the time. Even in operation, it was as clean as you will see it now. Very impressive.
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auntnini
Independence, MO
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Joined: 05/23/2004
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I grew up about 15 miles from Big Brutus. West Mineral is a very small place. There aren't any campgrounds there. However, there is a lake between Parsons and Cherryvale called Big Hill Lake. You might want to check into that area. I seem to remember my parents taking some of their Sunday School students on a camp out there.
Bonita
Mike (husband of 22 years)
Kelly 17
Chris 13
Pictures of the fam. and favorite places
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Loving God's Country!
ohio
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Joined: 03/19/2003
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Thank you so much for all your help. I'm going to look into all your suggestions. Thanks again!!
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Drbolasky
Allentown, PA
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Joined: 04/20/2002
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I have to add my thanks to all of you, too. We are also planning to see Brutus on our return from Colorado, also in July. My kids don't know about Brutus yet, but they're gonna love it.
Doug, Linda, Audrey & Andrew
08 Sequoia SR-5, 5.7 L I-Force V8, 6 sp. Auto, 4.30 Rear, 2000 Coachmen Futura 2790TB Bunkhouse, Dexter E-Z Flex Suspension, Reese W.D. Hitch & Dual Cam Sway Control, Prodigy Brake Controller, McKesh Mirrors, Nuvi 650 GPS
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