Magellan 2013: Wakeeney, KS

Today was awesome.  I left Mesa Verde at 7am and started out towards 70.  I took a road that I thought would be a shortcut...but ended up being incredibly slow because of the mountains.  I didn't care in the slightest though, because the drive was absolutely gorgeous.  I finally understand why everyone wants to move to Colorado as soon as they visit.  I didn't want to leave.  I've already planned fall break to go fishing with Yoder.  I wish I had more time here.

I drove north and stopped by Black Canyon of the Gunnison at the south rim.  It was amazing, and I tried to drive down into the canyon, but the steep grade caused my car to overheat about a mile in.  Luckily, I had water reserved for overheating problems, and fixed it quick with the help of some friendly mechanic who was driving down to fish for the day. He stopped and explained to me how antifreeze works and how the tank overheats in a specific way to save the engine, etc. I didn't have the heart to tell him I already knew.  He was obviously being the big hero, so I let him have it. 

I ended up driving for roughly 16 hours today, with that one break in Gunnison.  I'm currently in Kansas, like half an hour from Hays.  Also, tonight was the first time I've actually been worried for my safety.  I stopped at this motel, and my room was at the opposite side, facing an unlit parking lot.  To get to that side, I had to walk through a dark alley with a chain link fence to the side, a fence that was holding back a barking dog. When I was walking, a door burst open and a guy with a cigarette and his pants undone and hanging open just watched me walk by.  I kept walking, quicker, and I saw a kitten on the sidewalk repeatedly running head first into the wall.  Altogether, I'm creeped out, tired, the door is bolted, and I'll be clearing out of here early tomorrow morning. 

I took this lake picture with my iPhone while driving, so I'm quite proud of how it turned out. 

Magellan 2013: Rolla, MO to Amarillo, TX

Currently listening to: You're The Reason-Eyeshine
Current location: Amarillo, TX
Miles Traveled: 1,547.9

Day two=complete!

I left Rolla this morning around eight and started towards Oklahoma City.  I passed Ft. Leonard Wood and there was smoke everywhere.  I thought it was just fog at first, but i could actually see it billowing up, and it was a dark gray color.  I tried to find out from my friends at LW if Missouri was having forest fires, but no luck. 

 When I got close to the border of Kansas and Missouri, I got off the interstate and onto Historic Route 66 in Joplin.  I followed it for a few miles before coming to a life-size Mater tow truck from the movie Cars.  I had read that the movie was based on Route 66, so I was very excited.  I stopped, took a few pictures, and talked to the lady that had given a lot of information to the makers of the movie.  The street had a lot of buildings that had been featured in the movie.

I drove into Kansas on route 160, and I made a discovery.  Kansas is weird.  I stopped along the road in an wooded area on a road that was barely a road in order to use my phone.   Then, three white limos drove down the road filled with elderly people, all who stared and pointed at me.  I kept driving and came to a bridge with a very descriptive sign.  It read, "Bridge floods.  Turn around.  Don't drown."  I should've taken a picture... 

Anyway, I eventually turned south into Oklahoma.  A year ago to the day I was in Oklahoma at boot camp.  I can't say that I miss those days... I don't understand Oklahoma turnpikes.  I payed literally five times on one road.  When I got on, they gave me a ticket.  It told me that in 27 miles, I would need to pay $3.15.  I drove twenty-seven miles, and sure enough, I came to a toll booth.  I paid, and kept driving...on the same road.   In seven miles, I came to another one.  This time, I had to pay $1.35.  I drive three more miles, and had to pay .35 cents. This was all on the same road... I exited, paid another toll, got food, got back on the road... And paid again.  I don't think I like Oklahoma.  I'm going broke.  Haha.

When I saw the sign for Texas, I was pretty happy.  Amarillo is my last stop before Santa Fe.  Everything was extremely flat, with gorges cut into the earth.  It started to rain, and it was beautiful because I could see the rain miles before I drove into it.  It was just like the clouds had touched the ground.  Amarillo is a nice place, and I'm going to take some time tomorrow to explore the area.  

I keep thinking that I'm missing cool things, but my favorite part of the trip so far is just driving.  I think I'll need a separate trip to just stop and see everything.  :D