While I was getting the inside "road ready" I was feeling something bump me....like someone walking by....we were parked tight, so I thought maybe somebody walking by did nudge me.....but as soon as I opened the door I knew what it was.....rigs on both side of me were gone...so it was the wind!!! Woohoo, was going to be another rough day.....ok, it was time to "grab it and growl"!!!
I had begun to wonder why I hadn't seen any windmills with all this wind....not long after that, there they were...on both sides of the road as far as I could see, it was too cool. I think if they took all the people out of Kansas and put up nothing but wind mills they could provide electricity for the rest of the US!!
I fought that wind for about 3hrs, then decided I needed a break and I'd been seeing signs for Montana Mike's Steak house....yum, sounds good since my eating the last 2 days had not been too good since driving and sleeping were the priority. I exited and took a left and headed toward the town of Hays....many signs had said it was one of the "best little towns", thought I'd take a look. Well, I got almost to the little town and road construction stopped me. I didn't want to fight it, so I turned around and headed for my steak lunch.
It was yum-o and I brought 1/2 back to the rig to have for dinner....woohoo....no cooking tonite!! While in the restaurant I heard some ladies talking about going to Colorado Spgs, so I started chatting with them. I ask if they were in a car and if they too were fighting the wind. They said yes and yes...it was awful. I'd been watching 5th wheel RV's swaying, and other towables, but I was curious how it felt in a car. They've done this trip a few times and they said one time the wind lifted their car hood!!! WOW....I was so hoping that was not going to happen to me. One lady said she told her husband she thought God was mad when He made Kansas....I told her I agreed and had to laugh when I saw a sign a little ways back that said "Garden of Eden" next exit, I had no idea if it was a town, a cemetery or what....but since we all know it is the place of the first sin, I thought Kansas was a perfect place for it. Yesterday Missouri was low on my totem pole, but they moved up a little after I drove all the way across Kansas.
After a great lunch, was time to go back to the battlefield. This wind is so bad that trees and bushes have a permanent lean to them. I held the steering wheel at about a 1/4 turn for hrs just to keep it going straight. Some bikers passed me and I wondered how it felt to them.
About 1.5 hrs later I saw them at a rest stop and they said it beat them up too, you just hold on and go. Wow, somebody needs to put a tunnel under Kansas!!! I passed a golf course and had to laugh, if the wind is going the right way when you tee up, you could look like a rock star, but if it isn't, it might go 5 feet and drop, I truly can't imagine how they play here.
Then, I past the magic spot and the wind was gone....I drove about my last hour in KS as normal, it was amazing. I crossed into Colorado and wanted to kiss the ground!! From where I came into Colorado you don't see the mountains right away, I had to drive about an hour before I could see them, but then, there they were...my trip was worth it...they were in the distance, but I was heading toward them.
I exited 70 at Limon, then did 24 (a 2 lane) into Colorado Springs. I got gas one last time in Limon at a Flying J...just love those now. It is amazing to never pump less than $100 in gas...whew...my day is coming!!
The drive across 24 was great...the mountains kept getting closer....I was loving it. I gained another hour when I crossed into CO and I pulled into the campground around 6p.....it is awesome.
Was a relief to see this sign.......
It's $40 a night, which is a bit high, but my $200 allowance will cover it. I can already see why it's so nice. The sites are spacious, FULL hook ups and the view is awesome. I'm actually across the street tonite for $10 w/o hook-ups, the campground is full, but I'll move over tomorrow which is fine. By default I've learned how to live w/o hook-ups, so the next 4 nights will be really nice, I'll learn to live with them. The couple that showed me to the over-flow lot are full-timers and work here during the summer. They told me I was just in time for the ice cream social, bring a bowl/spoon and $1 at 7p.....yeah, I'll be there.
I got parked, put a few things away, made a few calls to let folks know I was here and got some ice cream. I opted to eat and walk, and see some of the campground. It is really nice. I've already met some great folks and I know this is going to be terrific.
What an experience this has been....I've learned sooooo much, and I'm really grateful for this experience.
Thanks again to Susan, Sally, and Amanda for helping me make this happen. It has been REALLY good for me.
I can't tell you how good it feels to know I don't have to get up and drive in the morning. It was beginning to feel like work, but it's not normally done like this. Normally, I will move at a much slower pace. But for this time, my goal was to get all the driving done in 3 days and have Monday to relax before working on Tues as usual....mission accomplished. I had great weather, and it was a good trip. But I won't miss feeling like a pilot in the morning...lock down the inside, walk around the outside, everything off, generator off, water pump off, GPS on, water glass ready, cell phone close so I could check time (not talk), chapstick close by...ok...ready/set/go!! It's been fun, but I'll be glad to sit for a bit. I"m sure I will wish I don't have to work, but this is going to be my life, so I'd better see how that part goes too.
I'm not sure how I'm going to sleep tonite without my trucker friends and the sound of their rigs...nothing up here but quiet!! The truckers are great folks and they were very helpful...but quiet is going to be awesome.
I'm whopped and it's time to hit the hay.........tomorrow I shall explore some more.
Good night from Colorado Springs.....woohoo, I made it!!
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