If you want to do even more exploring, turn west from US 69 onto State Highway 102 to reach the town of West Mineral. Here stands Big Brutus (6509 NW 60th St.), the second-largest power shovel ever built. 16 stories high, Big Brutus has a shovel that could fill three railroad cars with one scoop. One look at this monster will erase any lingering doubts that this part of Kansas owes its livelihood to mining. Every June, the Big Brutus Miners' Day Reunion is held in West Mineral, where veteran miners reconvene to talk about old times. August gets even livelier, with the Big Brutus Polka Fest featuring dueling polka bands. The Big Brutus complex even includes RV and camping facilities.
