Holiday Inn Topeka-West,Ks

... found later that the step was damaged. Thank goodness no people were around or hurt. As we were on the side of the road inspecting, a state trooper came over to see if we were ok. Not major damage- all easily repaired when we get home. So on we went. About 630 we made it to Lawrence Kansas. Why Kansas? for the Wizard of Oz museum and because on our State map- that's the one ...

... could be a contender for my morning beverage if my employer wasn't so picky about drinking on the job. lol My favorite was the Cuvee, a cherry lambic. Jolly rancher beer, anyone?<br><br>There were very few losers for me, but I have to mention the South Wind Rye. The taste was fine, but I couldn't get over the initial shock of the presentation. Kelly said it best, "It presents like thunder and never settles down to that gentle rain you expect."<br><br>The food we tried at Blind Tiger ...

... that have them! It's amazing how the light seems to emanate from them, when there is no outside light coming through them! We then took a drive through Atcheson, Kansas (we've now been to Atcheson, Topeka and Santa Fe, but in reverse order!), which is known as the "most haunted town in America" - boasting of many haunted mansions. There certainly are a lot of beautiful, BIG, old homes there! Atcheson is also the home of ...

... Hickok out drawed any sucker who challenged him to a gunfight, where Buffalo Bill began a hunt that nearly made an entire species extinct, where General Custer made his last stand at the Battle of Little Bighorn, where the US 7th Cavalry massacared over 200 men, women and children at Wounded Knee, where Chief Sitting Bull was killed by his own people and where Clint Eastwood kicked the **** out of Lee Van Cleef.

We had the chance to go see the first practice of the year for the greatest basketball team in the land so we headed to Lawrence to check out the Kansas Jayhawks. We met up with Darren's buddies Bird, P-Man, and Scott Lovenstein along with their families. The Jayhawks have the greatest tradition in all of college bball and we witnessed them add to it when ...

... saw some oil wells. They look a lot smaller than the ones on TV. Maybe those are in Texas. As they say; everything's bigger in Texas. We did stop for some ice cream. DQ banana splits. We had dinner at Red Robin even though there was a Denny's in town. Our Waiter/bartender Brandon Hall is also a biker. He rides an 03 red Honda Shadow 750 Spirit. Erin and Randa our hostesses offered some ...

We left Mount Vernon Illinois this morning and found the Old Route 66 Bridge going from Illinois to Missouri.  As you can see Bill wasn't sure which way to go he was between states. We walked 3/4 of the way across and I took these pictures of the water flowing across the rocks which I guess this is where the name Chain of Rocks Bridge.  The rest of the day was spent just driving from one city to another Kansas City Missouri then Kansas City Kansas.  So far the ...

... tried to take pics of the sky and the bug, but my camera sucks at night pics and so it didn't work. Which sucks. Especially since my friend Charis just told me to take piccys of the night sky D: And while we were stopped, a cop came over and asked if we were having car trouble; it was cool, he had the flashy lights and everything. :DDad said we were just admiring the view. and he left. :D He was nice though... and he was OLDD. He had white hair. XDD Wow I'm ...

... Vegas and took a photo under the Luxor Chapel sign and ate dinner there just like 3 1/2 yrs ago at our wedding! The next day we traveled to the Grand Canyon's North Rim. It was absolutely amazing! After the Grand Canyon we went to Denver CO to visit Bernie and my cousins Thea and Cliff! We spent two days relaxing and watching the dogs wrestle each other! It is always nice to catch up w/ friends and family. We left Denver and travled to Topeka ...