Wednesday, November 10, 2010

LINDSBORG KANSAS TO DALHART TEXAS….GOOD THING WE HAD OUR ‘HERBY GO-FAST TIRES ON TODAY

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WE ARE NEAR A LAKE FOR THE NIGHT

Our old arch enemy, the notoriously nasty southwest winds not only welcomed us into Kansas yesterday but  rattled & rolled us right up & into the wee hours of the morning.  However, we were both too tired to let the winds have their way with us & we both had a sound night’s sleep.  Well, at least until Kelly sneaked out & commandeered the Verizon modem before I did this morning!!

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WE SAW A LOT OF THESE TYPES OF BUILDINGS ACROSS KANSAS TODAY AND THIS ONE WAS IN HUTCHINSON

It was 6:10 this morning when we tippy toed out of the McPherson Old Mill County Park in Lindsborg Kansas, trying not to disturb a Class B van parked nearby.  We were the only two units in the Park & we never really saw the other folks.  By the way, all County Parks we have stayed at have been well lit at night.

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We headed south on 135 for about 20 miles & hung a right onto highway 61 through Hutchinson to Pratt.  Had we continued south of 135 we would have plowed right into Oklahoma City & of course that was not acceptable!!  In Pratt we climbed aboard highway 54 for the long slide down to the southwest heading for New Mexico.  The landscape leveled out as we rolled along a nice two lane highway enjoying cotton fields, cattle farms, about a dozen & a half small towns & little whistle stops.  Downside of this route was the number of big 18 wheelers on the road.  Good thing we had on our ‘Herby Go-Fast’ tires today because those truckers don’t like being held up by RV tourist types doddling along in front of them.

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We have another Campground book we use besides Days End & Kelly found us a spot for the night in the town of Dalhart, Texas.  The Park is at the south end of town & called the Rita Blanca Lake County Park & yep, there is even a lake here with lots of bird life.  Good Verizon signal at this park too, but only one TV channel which is of course is filled with nothing but night time garbage television shows anyway!!  Now that we are on the western side of the States we use ‘Don Wright’s Guide To Free Campgrounds.’ (Western Edition)  Works well.  And, the link for the Escapee’s Day’s End book is DAY'S END DIRECTORY.

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I managed to remember a few readers questions today so before I forget again, here goes…. First, somebody asked about egg salad sandwiches….. haven’t seen any coming up from the Galley yet this trip but I did snag a couple home made chocolate chip cookies this morning.  Kinda the same thing, right?   Brandon Don, HWH said the brake recall guys may have arced a wire while doing the recall & that could have blown the fuses.  Hermit, the keys hanging beside the door are on good hooks & won’t fall down & out of the rig.  Phil, when I look at the rear view camera monitor I see the Jeep as I would see it if I turned my head….I think.  Hey Louisberg Larry, we missed your big wave in Kansas or was that you blowing by the windshield upside down in one of those big Kansas wind gusts.

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RITA BLANCO LAKE COUNTY PARK….OUR OVERNIGHTER SPOT FOR WEDNESDAY NIGHT

Although we have two computers onboard we have only one internet connection at a time so that means having to share the Verizon UMB modem.  It boils down to whoever gets up first & snags the it.  This morning Kelly was first up grabbed it before I could even scramble out of my sleep.   I usually read & comment on blogs early in the morning but that hasn’t been the case since we left home.  I think we had better move our ‘Cradle Point Router’ plans up to the front burner…..toot sweet!! 

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I THINK WE WERE AROUND 70F AGAIN TODAY

A big thanks to Ed in the comment section for pointing out my geography error in last night’s blog title.  I had Lindsborg incorrectly located in Iowa instead of KANSAS where it really is.  Just one of those ‘tired at the end of the day’ oversights.

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GROANER’S CORNER:{  I overheard the receptionist admit to another customer, "I haven't taken my vitamins today.  I'm walking around unprotected."  The customer commiserated with her, but then added, "I haven't taken my Prozac today so everyone's walking around unprotected!!"

13 comments:

  1. We use highway 54 to get to I 40 almost every year! Can ya smell that lovely cattle lot smell from the lake that you are parked at? I'm sure you can, since there is no where in Dalhart that you can't smell it. LOL!!!

    Rod

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  2. The Bayfield Bunch is making great progress heading to the Southwest...Keep on bloggin'..cause we are riding with you...Move over, Motormouse..I need some rest!!!

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  3. I haven't been very successful at finding county parks or free overnight parking. You have to be a member of Escapees to buy the Day's End book, it seems. I'd appreciate a reference or two to other books I can buy with this info. In my travels I haven't come across county parks, but they sure look interesting enough to find out more.

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  4. egg sanwiches and chocolate chip cookies..perfect travel day lunch!! :)

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  5. I'm enjoying your posts as you travel to the southwest.
    Our Cradle Point router has been a wonderful thing for our situation - two people who can spend all of their free time computering! Forget the tv....we rarely turn it on. The router is one of the best purchases we made. We do watch our GB usage since we're limited to 5GB a month on our Verizon plan...but that's not a problem as we don't download videos, music or a lot of pictures when using our aircard.

    Save travels to you!
    Selene, NC

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  6. Nice progress guys. Now you are in some of my ole stomping grounds.

    Be careful as the winds can get ya going across TX and NM.

    We're watching your progress towards the southwest.

    Drive careful.

    Mac & Dianna

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  7. Way to go Team Bayfield, making great time. Does your rig have a drag chute? Be safe out there. Sam & Donna...

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  8. Sure do like the little city and county parks actross the middle of the country. We stayed in one city park in Oklahoma, supposed to be a fee, but no place to pay it, no one to collect it, not even anybody "official" anywhere except the guy cutting the grass. It was a beautiful park, and we stayed three of four nights with water and electric, absolutely free.

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  9. oh my goodness! You were within half mile of my house when you went through Hutchinson on K 61! If you take this same route home in the spring, let me know and you can park overnight at my house!

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  10. Travel Safe Al and Kelly. Hoping to finally meet you two in person in after the New Year in the Desert.


    Take Care
    Brenda Brown

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  11. You're doing good and you'll be in the desert before you even know it! Good job on finding those neat camping spots too - nice lake!

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  12. Depending on how much you spend for service on your modem, it may make sense to get a Verizon phone with mobile hotspot. You'll pay $30/month for data on the phone and will then be able to wirelessly share your internet connection with multiple computers. (Verizon offers mobile hotspot as a free service on a few of its phones, normal 5GB cap.)

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  13. If you took 54 to Dalhart, you went through my old home town of Guymon, OK.

    Pat

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