Haymaker Memories & Brew-Hopping in the Little Apple

1nonblonde
Jul 21
4 min read

Late May to Early June 2025: If you’ve ever wanted to camp somewhere quiet, remote, and suspiciously void of amenities, The Ridge RV Park in St. George, KS might just be your next five-star… experience. (Five stars if your star-rating scale is based solely on clean gravel lots and camp hosts who live next door and keep a watchful eye on your every step.)

We snagged one of the few traveler-friendly spots at this tiny park, less than 30 sites total, and most were clearly of the “we live here now” variety. It was peaceful, remote, and nestled just outside of Manhattan, Kansas, home of the other Wildcats. We had no cable TV, no pool, no clubhouse, no pickleball court… just wide-open skies and a secluded location.

Rewilding at K-State

This was a sentimental stop for Darren, who proudly graduated from Kansas State University back in the 1900’s. We dusted off the e-bikes and took a spin down memory lane - literally.

We cruised by Weber Hall, where the Ag students once held livestock judging and actual animal handling classes. The old arena in the middle? Gone. Replaced by... whatever colleges replace practical livestock arenas with these days. Probably Wi-Fi.

We aimed for Call Hall - not for a class, but for the legendary KSU ice cream - only to find it under construction! Denied by orange fencing and the scent of missed opportunity.

A highlight? Visiting the library for my very first encounter with the infamous “stacks.” If you know, you know. It’s where students go to study in air quotes. I now understand the stories - and yes, I can confirm the lighting does scream “Secrets Were Made Here.”

We passed Haymaker Hall, Darren’s old dorm, and even the Ultimate Frisbee field he used to frequent is still intact. Naturally, when we got home, I dug through our bins and found Darren’s “Hay 3 Ultimate Frisbee” sweatshirt from the early ‘90s. It’s now officially on track to become a custom throw pillow. Vintage, baby.

We stopped into the Alumni Center, which has a neat little mini-museum full of KSU memorabilia, Wildcat nostalgia, and historical tidbits. It's part museum, part tribute, part time capsule - and well worth a few minutes of “back in my day” storytelling.

And honestly? The buildings across campus are gorgeous. That limestone architecture has a classic, almost East Coast collegiate vibe. The whole campus gave me strong Colorado State University energy. But - I’m going on the record here - I much prefer CSU's layout and bike friendliness. Navigating the hillier terrain of K-State made me work for my pedals. CSU = glide; KSU = glutes engage!

Aggieville & the Mural Shuffle

We attempted a casual roll through Aggieville, but the universe had other plans in the form of serious road construction. Detours, cones, and torn-up pavement turned our brewery hopping into more of a brewery hunt.

Despite the chaos, we made it to three local favorites:

Manhattan Brewing Co. – Great beer, great vibe.
Tallgrass Tap House – A two-story pub with killer rooftop views.
Aggieville Brewing Company – The new kid on the block and worth the stop.

Along the way, we spotted some awesome murals tucked between alleyways, brick buildings, and breweries. Manhattan’s got a creative side, and it pops with vibrant color and clever design - you just have to pedal a bit to find them.

And then there’s Johnny Kaw - Manhattan’s answer to Paul Bunyan. Standing 24 feet tall in City Park, Johnny was dreamed up by a K-State professor in the 1950s as a Kansas folk hero who could toss tornadoes, plant wheat with a flick of his wrist, and carve out the Kansas River valley with his bare hands. Naturally. The statue was built in 1966 and has been silently judging passersby ever since. We couldn’t resist stopping by to admire his giant scythe, glorious sideburns, and the overall vibe of "Midwestern Hercules."

Trails, Trash Pizza, & Sweet Nostalgia

We rode the Linear Trail, a multi-use path that loops around the city and serves up a little bit of everything: shaded woods, sunbaked fields, quiet neighborhoods, and a few “wait… are we still on the trail?” detours. It was a fun way to see more of the town, stretch our legs, and burn off a few brewery calories. We passed joggers, bikers, a few overly enthusiastic squirrels, and at least one couple who looked deeply lost—but confidently so.

And when in Manhattan, you simply must indulge in the city’s finest nostalgic cuisine. Darren introduced me to his beloved:

Vista Drive-In – serving up burgers and shakes since 1964 and still a favorite among students and locals with a weakness for nostalgia (and crinkle fries).
Pizza Shuttle – which, despite sounding like a junk-food delivery service from a sci-fi movie, was actually quite tasty. Darren still remembers the old phone number jingle - because apparently, some things lodge themselves in your brain forever, right next to your Social Security number and the lyrics to "Ice Ice Baby."

One Last Adventure & a Strategic Escape

We took a quick road trip out to Tuttle Creek State Park to scope out the RV campground for a future stay. Gorgeous lake, trees, and actual amenities. (Shocking, I know.)

But alas, after five full days, we checked the weather forecast and decided to pack it in early. Our next destination involved dirt roads, and impending heavy rains gave us flashbacks of mudslides, tow trucks, and things that go squish in the night. Off we rolled - dry, happy, and feeling full of Wildcat wisdom and pilsner.

Final Thoughts from a Non-Alum

Though I’m not a K-State grad, I’ve been to Manhattan a handful of times - once for Beth O’s wedding, several times during high school trips, and of course, after meeting Darren. But this trip felt different. More reflective. More fun. And yes, slightly stickier thanks to Kansas humidity.

Would I go back? Absolutely. Would I stay at The Ridge again? Only if I need off-grid simplicity and someone to keep tabs on my lawn ornaments.