Midwest knows how to party
Trip Start
Nov 21, 2007
1
10
13
Trip End
Dec 06, 2007
Columbia,
Missouri,
United States
Monday, December 3, 2007
First, an update on Kaya: I picked her up from the animal hospital in Denver post-surgery and she had this huge bandage-cone contraption on her head and was completely out of it, stumbling all over. We drove the 2 hours to Colorado Springs. When I left the car to check in to our hotel, she managed to rub the bandage off and spring the stitches loose, sending blood everywhere. I took her to another hospital and they re-sedated and re-bandaged her. Of course, 3 hours later as I slept, she got if off again and the blood again, went everywhere. The ear doesn't stop. It streams, as in 3 towels full. I stayed up all night with her and then we drove back to Denver first thing in the morning. They re-did the stitches and came up with a much better bandage technique that she hasn't tried to remove yet (much more comfortable). All in all, she looks like the Grinch's phony reindeer but is in good spirits and healing properly.
I decided to use the healing time as an opportunity to clock some miles so we've been making good time the last few days. About 10 miles east of Denver, the midwest hits you hard. Flat flat fields of wheat (or brown grass, not sure) that go forever. I'm posting a picture of the road here, it's all you need to know about the area between Denver and mid-Kansas.
We stopped in Salina, Kansas for the night. It was just what I needed. Out of the way, not crowded, easy, quiet with a bar and restaurant on-site. I got Kaya settled and went in for a much needed mug. I chatted up an Oklahoma trucker for about an hour, or I should say he chatted me up....
groggy
never stopped actually. I think the poor guy hadn't had a conversation in a while (unlike me) and I learned all I needed about weigh stations and those pesky Dept of Transporation regulations. The bartended snapped a solid photo of us.On the recommendation of my favorite Mizzou-born friend Sara Park, we made our way to Columbia - home to Univ of Missouri and 2 other small colleges. Their football team had just lost the #1 ranking the night before - the town was collectively mourning.. and hungover. I found a college bar withing walking distance to watch the Steelers game and chatted up Fletcher the bartender. An hour later, the bar was packed with youngins and shots were magically appearing in front of me every 20 minutes or so - bad ones, red bull, jaeger, woowoos... all that college bullsh*t. Needless to say, I got crushed trying to make a respectable showing for past-their-drinking-primes 30+ dudes everywhere. Much of the football team was their, too - apparently you're not supposed to talk about a loss the day after... like I should've known that?
Back on the road, driving hungover, I started collecting pictures of water towers and ranch homes. Amazing way to pass the time, very proud of myself. I'll post a few, there are many more.
Missouri farms look a lot better in the sun, and passing through Illinois and into Kentucky, things got progressively greener with more trees and altogether gorgeous in the setting sun.
We just arrived in Paducah, Kentucky. Haley, a senior at Stevens college that has a serious drinking talent, recommended it. We'll see what it's all about in the morning!
Comments
nice job
'I just kept Running.'
Adversity
When all is said and done, you'll remember the trials and tribulations of the trip as fondly as you will remember the good times, acquaintances made and pastoral scenery viewed. That said, your adversity quota has been satisfied. All the best for smooth sailing from here on out.
Ah - my homeland
Please wave to Chicago for me as you drive by! I will never forget those cold dry brown gray dreary flatland winters. Stay out of the snow and ice and you'll be fine.
Glad that healing is happening - nothing like a night in a college town to really get things moving along. (Nice that Kaya is doing better too!)
I was listening to Radiohead (Rainbows) on the shuttle today on my long journey from Sunnyvale to SF - and fantasizing about seeing them at the Hollywood Bowl - in the front row - and you would be there too of course! :) What have you been listening to on your trip?!
p.s. You're getting really good at TPWD (Taking Pictures While Driving)!
Travels by The Donk!
The. Awesome following your trip. Very adventurous. We are gonna miss you in LA, but it seems like you are on the path to discovering what life is really about...experiencing it! As Mr. Supertramp realizes just before he passes, alone in the wilderness, true happiness is found sharing it with others. Thanks for sharing....
Fight on.