Anyone who has ever tried to plan a trip in this digital age knows the frustration of  doing an internet search, finding a site dedicated to their destination, and not finding what they need to find. Perhaps there are no phone numbers or contact name. Maybe the site hasn’t been updated since 2007 and is clunky to navigate or the information desired is nowhere to be found.
That’s not the case with the new Wetlands and Wildlife National Scenic Byway website. There are trip-planning guides, route and community maps, links to cities on the byways, links to state and national byway organizations, a downloadable audio tour guide, lists of attractions, a calendar and a list of upcoming events. Many of these are interactive or hot links to more detailed information.
In addition, there is access to bird lists, brochures and information on dining and lodging. The photo galleries feature the beauty of the byway are also extensive.
And, as before, there is mobile application as well. Furthermore, Wooding said it is set up so that it encourages the public to submit photos and other information.
It is the work of Barton County Cartographer Bj Wooding and Environmental Manager Judy Goreham, along with Cris Collier and her team at the Great Bend Convention and Visitors Bureau. The site is truly first rate.
In this internet era, if any county, community or event wants to be successful, the first step must be to put a good digital foot forward. This site, along with that of the GBCVB, Barton County and the City of Great Bend put a lot of information out there in a format that is easy to find.
Those who work with any website understand just how much work it takes to maintain a web presence and keep it fresh, no matter how easy it is to update. Our officials deserve credit for branding our area in such a good light.
Dale Hogg