WaKeeny, KS

We are now in WaKeeney, KS, but I took a few pictures this morning before we left. There isn't much that is photogenic in WaKeeney (the K is correct) unless you like 360 degree horizons at least 50 miles away. If I had only lived here, I would have joined the "Flat Earth Society". Two of the pictures show the bus at the north overlook #2 at USAFA. One shows the cadet area, and the other shows the "Eagle's Nest" west of the cadet area. Cindy and Mark and I have rolled out sleeping bags on the top of that peak (9,300 ft) and watched the sun come up over Kansas. The third picture is looking east from the same vantage point. I took it to show the amount of development east of I-25. Everything in the picture has been built since we left. Colorado Springs is still enjoying (?) explosive growth.

Last night we had a delightful dinner at the Craftwood Inn in Manitou Springs just west of Colorado Springs. We took the Catalfamos. We had been eating at their place for three days. This was an elegant place that we remembered from 1999. We have traveled over 8,000 miles so far and Durelle chose Manitou Springs, CO to order lobster bisque and grilled scallops. I had a medium rare elk steak which was outstanding with a rich gravy. Phil had roast wild boar, and Laura had Spanish, vegetarian tapas. Karin enjoyed her ribs. It was a very pleasant experience.

It took us a while to get out of the Rockies. We went a little north to get some diesel and headed east through rural roads until we got to route 24 in Peyton. Durelle had to forego the Ryder cup to navigate us until we got to route 24. From there we took 24 to I-70 in Limon, CO and took I-70 to WaKeeney.

I was surprised, as we moved east of the Rockies, how far the area of fine homes, facing west, extended. I will admit that many were for sale. Once we got east of Peyton the terrain changed again to the high plains. It was greener than I had expected. We had ideal driving conditions: cruise control at 1500 rpm, downhill (we lost about 4,000 ft today), but there was still a headwind! We got 8.6 mpg. We'll stay here two nights...it's the Ryder Cup after all. Then one more stop before we arrive at Branson, MO for the Tiffin rally. We have a reservation for Sunday night in Iola, KS.