Kansas

Kansas. I'm sure there are a ton of fabulous sights; however, it is pretty sparse from the highway. This is my third Kansas highway drive, and this time I was amazed at how many wind turbine farms there are in the State. It was a pretty drab day driving so I bounced between "A Promised Land" by Barack Obama, read by Barack Obama and SiriusXM (a three month trial subscription timed with my trip). Although the history lesson and some endearing personal family footnotes are outstanding - and I do appreciate hearing the book read by the author - I just had to change it up after every couple hours. The 80s station on SiriusXM is awesome! In some cases, I would sing so loud and bop around in my seat that Sassenach must have thought I was losing my mind. She hears me sing at home, but the bopping thing definitely confused her. I assured her that I was doing my best to remain ALERT -- but she didn't seem to understand what I was saying.

The standard set-up, but the view with a view of the lake. We didn't have much time to enjoy the lake. I had to quickly set up camp to be sure all was good before the impending rain. We did get in a 40 minute walk/run, just like we did in Colorado. It helps me get some circulation going, and provides some activity for my energized puppy. That rain did come, and it came down hard over the course of the night. You can hear the soothing sound in this video of Sassenach at about 2:30AM.

My plan was to get up at 6:00AM, and leave by 7:00AM for my next campsite reservation in Tennessee. I ended up just getting started at 5:15AM because I couldn't sleep. I was plagued on strategizing a breakdown of camp while getting the least amount of rainwater in my SUV. Fortunately, I can pack everything up with this setup without being exposed to the elements. The tent, rain cover and tarp is a very different story. I stayed in my pjs, and threw on my boonie hat to keep my glasses dryer than the protection of a baseball cap. Sassenach cooperated as she stayed in her travel spot in the SUV. She does not dig rain - it's all I could do to get her out to do her morning business before she bounded back into the tent.

I did get really drenched during this process. I had set aside a change of clothes for when I stopped at the gas station to tank up. It has come to this - what a sight. Soaking wet, filthy hands and legs. I emerged changed and with a baseball cap on my head like some undercover person on the run. I did have a French-pressed coffee and oats this morning before packing up. So at least there was that...

Also, while at that same gas station I pulled up the weather forecast for the location of my next campsite reservation. Thundershowers predicted in the evening and through the night. Nope - I promptly put Banner Elk, North Carolina (my next stop where Benoit is working this summer) in my GPS and determined to just drive as far as Sassenach and I could tolerate. THEN? I'd get a hotel room for the night.

Best part of the day? Worst part of the day?

Best: Breaking down camp in the downpour.

Worst: Breaking down camp in the downpour.

Lesson Learned: I should wear my boonie hat more frequently. It is quite versatile.