We're not in Kansas anymore... thank goodness

Day 12 - September 24, 2014
Goodland - Kansas City, MO

Today I was to drive clear across Kansas, to get to my last layover stop in Kansas City to see some friends from Grad school. I woke up, got the bike packed, and after filling up the gas tank, I was heading East. Within a few hours on 70, I saw more cops and more people pulled over than the previous 10 days. Not a good omen. I was fortunate not to get pulled over but those coppers were everywhere. Kansas is flat. Quite the opposite from the rest of the trip thus far, which made for a very boring drive but it had to be done. Once you get into eastern Kansas, starting about at Salina, the hills start and it becomes a little better with trees and things to look at. On the way to Topeka, I passed an army base which reminded me of the base I passed on the first day in Texas.

These bases are awesome as a pedestrian looking in; I wonder if the people in the military find it just as amazing to look upon the behemoths of war. The Texas base had land vehicles: hummers, massive tanks, etc. The Kansas base was more loaded with supply vehicles and air vehicles: Chinooks, Apaches, etc. Both bases were pretty cool sights to behold.

So I get into Topeka, fill up for my final leg, and head out. As I leave Topeka, I realize that the interstate between Topeka and Kansas City has been turned into a 60 mile toll road. WHO TURNS AN INTERSTATE INTO A TOLLROAD?!?!? Freaking Kansas thats who. I decide to stick it to the greedy bastards and take the residential highway, big mistake. I wind up hitting every light, coming across some of the worst drivers ever (who moves into the left lane to turn their hazards on and slow down?), and taking 2 hours to go 60-70 miles. In hindsight, my frugality got the best of me.

I eventually get to my friends place after getting lost to poorly marked street signs a could times. I take my stuff in and shower before going out with them and some of their friends to try some local beers. Should be a good couple of days till the 2 day ride home starting on Saturday. Cheers!