I just couldn't contain my excitement. Gathering information for the first half of our tour itinerary was so much fun, I can't wait to get the details worked out for the second half. So, moving on...

As our caravan leaves Kansas City, it's getting late. For a while, Route 50 joins I-35, and before long we can be at Melvern Lake, if you want to camp (forget the cabins - they require 2 consecutive nights minimum). Otherwise, someone local will hopefully tell us about lodging options in the area.

The next day finds us in Hutchinson, where there are a surprising number of attractions. And not mentioned in those links is a grain elevator that is over a half-mile long, one of the world's largest.

A short detour to Great Bend takes us to the SRCA drag strip. Although it will be Wednesday (according to current plans), maybe we can get them to let us in, if we have enough cars wanting to make some passes.

After that, Kinsley is the half-way point between the two coasts. Nothing else is significant about it, however.

But hang on to yer boots, cuz then we come to Dodge City. In that link, it's easy to overlook the tabs at the top. Hover your mouse over the one that says "Visiting", and then roll down across the list to check out all the stuff there is to do there.

Soon we'll be at the Colorado state line, looking for a place to spend the night. Maybe somebody can help out with that.

See? Even driving across Kansas can be a fun time when you spend it with Fiero folks! Let's hear from all of you who are going to join this part of the tour.

Edit to add the prior state topics:
Maryland & DC
Virginia
West Virginia
Ohio
Indiana
Illinois
Missouri

------------------
US-50 | Coast to Coast | www.justsaygo.us/GAS

GAS stuff | The Fiero Store is the exclusive sponsor of GAS

[This message has been edited by Just Say Go (edited 02-22-2009).]

Is there a stop in Russell? I volunteer one certain JStricker to fix all attendees a T-Bone steak and tater.

I just checked... it is 70 miles off of Route50.

quote Originally posted by blakeinspace: Is there a stop in Russell? I volunteer one certain JStricker to fix all attendees a T-Bone steak and tater. I just checked... it is 70 miles off of Route50.

Whoa there Big Fella. This has to be coordinated, we don't want to arrive during harvest or planting season or John will be putting us to work.

Ron

I need an opinion from a local or anyone else who knows - can we do all the things in my first post of this thread and still make it to Lamar, Colorado, in time to get checked in at a hotel/motel before it gets terribly late? I am starting to doubt it, since the online map says it takes over 6 hours just to drive from Emporia KS to Lamar CO, and that's not considering ANY stops.

Suggestions are requested.

Get gas, take I 70 and head west. Stop in Russell, KS for dinner with John Stricker. Time, you've got plenty of, most of the attractions don't take long to see. But regardless of anything else you do, eat at the Strickers, good folks and don't make fun of John's tractor, he's sensitive about it.

Ron

Wheat farmers have two times a year we can't take off.......When we plant and when we cut wheat.

June 16th could very well be in the middle of wheat harvest. Or not. You never know from one year to another, exactly. Chuck and I chatted about this a long time ago and we knew it would be this way. Of course, even if it's right in the middle of wheat harvest and it would rain the night before.......that would free up that day, so it makes things even more uncertain.

My plan is to join the GAS run at some point and just be flexible with when that will be. Now if folks want to come up to the farm and shop, they're welcome, but as Ron said, you might get your butts put to work. OTOH, if harvest is later that year, then for sure I'll grille my lost and wayward son a steak. I'll even put on that special seasoning he loves so much. I might even open the humidor and offer up a roll of tobacco or two. Assuming the government hasn't outlawed red meat and cigars by then.

Great Bend with the SRCA strip is only about 30 miles south of us. RC Williams is the track manager and I've never heard of them having a special event like this before, but even if they haven't that doesn't mean they won't. The problem is it's all a non profit/volunteer thing at the track and most of the people that set up the lights, etc., work during the week so I don't know how that will work.

Do not miss going into the salt mines in Hutchinson. It's impressive. Dodge City is fun for sure.

Driving on US 50 this time of year in KS, though, be VERY Careful of slow moving farm machinery and wheat trucks, and FAST moving grain semis. Until you've been through a wheat harvest you have no idea what it does to the mind of some people and how many risks they are willing to take just to get the wheat in. Me, I'm old and have a serious case of "DGAC" (Don't Give A Crap) so it doesn't affect me like everyone else, but watch yourselves on the road.

We just buried a neighbor yesterday that tried to start his tractor by hotwiring it and was successful doing to. Unfortunately it also ran him over and killed him so be careful.

John Stricker

[This message has been edited by jstricker (edited 04-29-2009).]

quote Originally posted by jstricker: Do not miss going into the salt mines in Hutchinson. It's impressive. Dodge City is fun for sure.

I like salt.

I also want to go to Dodge City... if nothing else to just re-enact Chevy Chase in vacation getting blown away in the Western bar...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJ5mmG-i1Qs
(22 seconds in)