After more than 200 miles, I finally feel like I am in Kansas. Today my first piece of tumbleweed rolled across the road ten feet in front of me. The feeling was pure unaltered exhilaration! The land has also flattened considerably. Fields full of cows are being being replaced by endless tracts of unfenced lush green crops. When the wind blows the entire landscape, from the road to the horizon, looks like green flowing water. The long thick streaks of cloud in the enormous afternoon sky was as spectacular as the rippling land beneath it.
Today passed through Larnead. Besides the large co-op grain buildings (pictured) that are in every town, the Santa Fe Trail passes through the city. The trail was the main trading route between Missouri and Mexico during the 1800s and was heavily guarded. Travelers along the trail faced constant attack from disgruntled displaced Indians. Fort Larnead still stands several miles west of town that was used to house soldiers protecting the trail and nearby railroads. For me the importance of the fort lay in the first clean bathroom I have found in a long time.
The winds were howling from the southeast most of today. Not a tail, but they certainly helped. Started with rain that tapered by midday.
good thing that sign told us it was a scenic overlook.... i wouldnt have known otherwise!
ReplyDeletekansas is loooong and flat! hope the tumbleweeds are keeping you company!