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Published: July 27th 2010
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Well, here it is summer time and time for vacation. Of course, I have been off for almost two years now. So, I guess technically, I have been on vacation for awhile.
But my lovely wife needs some time off, and so we decided to use our timeshare and go to Avon, Colorado. Mary'flew and'I drove.
This is a log of some of the places i went on the way and some of the things I did.
I got up and after a lot of messing around, finally took off at about 10 am. My first stop was a rest stop in Missouri.
As usual, I try not to drive more than 90 minutes or so. I am just too old for the straight through drive anymore.
I did stop for lunch at a place called "Biffles BBQ". It is in a small Missouri town called Concordia. I have always wanted to try it out. So, this was my chance. It was okay. But, you know, BBQ is just what you grew up with as a kid.. I still think my dad's bbq was the best.
After
eating , and taking a few pictures at a very old cemetery, I was off to hit the road again.
My next stop was a rest stop in Kansas where I saw a great sign that reminded me of my sister Katheleen in Los Angeles. She told me she got a ticket for being in a crosswalk with a car at the smae time a pedestrian was walking through. Just wanted to show her that they actually have signs that point the out in Kansas. Sorry!!
It was very hot in Kansas!! I saw a gauge that noted the temperature at 101. I kept the windows and the sunroof open and actually got 27 miles to the gallon. So much for turning on the air conditioner for better mileage!!
After stopping in Hays, Kansas at the Motel 6. Remember....I am by myelf....cheap all the way!!!! $42.00 a night. I got in late and just had hot yogurt for dinner. That was not really a good idea!! Did not feel well later. Oh well.
I got up nice and early and took off for Colorado. Of course, there were afew stops
along the way. First. I could not resist the town of Wamego, Kansas. there were signs for miles talking about the Wizard of Oz museum and of course, the Wizard of Oz winery.
It was about ten miles off the highway. Which is about nine miles too far!!!!
It was interesting. I went to the winery and tasted a bunch of wines. I settled on two....sweet of course. then I headed over to the Wizard of Oz Museum. Well, they were closing in a few minutes, so I bought some postcards, walked over to the post office, wrote the cards and sent them off to my nephew, my two boys, and Kevin where I used to work.
All in all a nice visit. On the way back to the highway, I came across a sign advertising the Bible and Rifle Church. I guess if you can't get them one way, you can get them the other way.
On down the road, the next stop was the Fick Fossil Museum in Oakley, Kansas. It took a while to find it but it was really very interesting. i had no idea there
were so many fossil beds in Kansas.
I guess the museum was founded by a doctor who served in WWII.
He settled in Oakley, Kansas after the war, and people kept brnging him bones. Finally, he realized there was a big fossil area right under their feet. Well, to learn anymore go the museum. It is free and really very neat.
Of course, they have the standard stuffed bison and the exhibition which shows how the settlers lived. But the quantity and the quality of the fossils is something to see. I would definitely recommend this sight!!!
I almost forgot!!!!!!!! It was free!!!
Well, my stop was not so interesting. And it was no where near free!!!! How about $8.00!?!?!?
I could not resist the signs for the Prairie Dog Museum and it was very close to the Fick Museum.
Of course, by now it was 102. But never mind. A six legged cow, the largest prairie dog, rattlesnakes, and over three hundred other animals is tough to pass by for me.
I should have!!!!! Well, I never saw the
six leggewd cow, the rattlesnakes were real, the prairie dogs were everywhere...but i never saw a big one. I took a walk around...went through the gift shop and after being assured my ticket would be good until 8 that night, I was on my way.
The rest of my drive was nothing but flat terrain and you could see forever.
Finally, I got to Colorado. Only a few more hours to go!!!!! Then I would grab a motel, a bite to eat, and hit the bed. tomorrow, I pick up Mary.
After a quick stop, I noticed if I went south at Limon I could go the Pikes Peak. I have never been there....so what the heck. It is the same distance from Limon to Denver as it is from Limon to Pikes Peak. So, off I.
A couple hours later I was at Pikes Peak. I finally saw some mountains about one hour from Pikes Peak and I stopped to take some pictures.
There were many clouds up in the mountains and you could see the rain just pouring over the area. I debated going
on but...hey....what not!!!!!!
Actually, the weather got much better. I finally got to Pikes peak, where I paid $10.00 to go part way up. They told me at the gate the summit was rainy and foggy with limited visibility. After experiencing this iin Europe in the Swiss Alps, I decided to pass and just go to the resevoir. that was okay...but I wish I had gone to the top. Oh well...you live and learn.
They also told me the trip up to the peak would take over an hour and take a half tank of gas to complete the trip. Based on my short drive one third of the way up, they were a little off.
Next time...I go the summit. At least the weather has turned more pleasant..It was about 65 degrees. what a deal!!!
The one really weird thing on Pikes Peak was the North Pole and the Santa Claus theme park. The eyes on Santa are really bizarre!!!!! I did stop at a gift shop and buy some postcards. I sent them off and then I was on my way to Denver.
In about
two hours, I was in Denver. I mapped the way to the airport so i would not be late in picking up Mary and then I grabbed another Motel 6. This was was expensive....a whole $50.00.
I went to dinner at Bennet's BBQ which was recommended by the staff at the motel 6. It was okay. I think I was the only person in the whole place. During dinner, a great thunderstorm passed through.
After eating, I went back to the motel and pulled up the internet. Oh crap....Cardinals lost again. At least we play the Cubs this weekend!!!!! No predictions........that would be jinxing them....Good night.
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