Tom and I kept a close eye on the weather for several weeks before starting our long roadtrip to Newfoundland & Labrador, Canada. We were concerned about crossing Tornado Alley during what seems to be a particularly destructive tornado season. Our route was flexible depending on the weather forecast but, ideally, we wanted to drive east across southern Kansas to avoid big cities and explore new areas that we hadn't yet seen. Fortunately, the forcast looked good when we left home early Thursday morning.
Our chosen route took us east on US 24 from Woodland Park to Colorado Springs then south on Interstate 25 to Pueblo. From there we headed east on US 50 to Dodge City, Kansas then east on US 400 from Dodge City through Witchita. Eventually, we veered off US 400 taking Kansas Highways 39 then 7 to Fort Scott, Kansas. From Fort Scott we took US 54 across the Missouri state line and all the way to Lake of the Ozarks.
Traveling from Colorado to Kansas
Tom and I left home before 6am as we started our long journey to Northeast Coast. Our drive was relatively uneventful until we approached Las Animas, on the eastern plains of Colorado. Emergency vehicles were responding to a train/car collision alongside the highway.
We stopped for short breaks in Las Animas and Lamar before crossing into Kansas. Then, when we reached Dodge City, we enjoyed a long break including dinner at Mariscos Nayarit and a visit to the Boot Hill Museum. Feeling rejouvenated after our long break in Dodge City, we continued a little farther east to Greensburg where we boondocked for the night at Kiowa State Fishing Lake.
You can view a few photos from our drive between Woodland Park and Greensburg on the Carpe Diem Facebook page by clicking on the image below.
Visiting Boot Hill Museum in Dodge City, Kansas
Boot Hill Museum is located on US 50, right next to the Dodge City Visitor Information Center. The museum includes several large buildings with indoor exhibits in addition to the famous Boot Hill cemetary. On the museum gorunds, you can tour the historic jail, church, blacksmith shop and cattleman's home. You can even watch a reenactment of a shootout on the street or a variety show in the saloon. I would have liked to stay longer to see Miss Kitty and the Can-Can dancers but Tom was anxious to "Get the hell outta Dodge!"
You can view a few photos from our visit to Boot Hill Museum on the Carpe Diem Facebook page by clicking on the image below.
Boondocking at Kiowa State Fishing Lake in Greensburg, Kansas
Tom and I would have been happy to boondock for the night at a rest area or in a Walmart parking lot but we found Kiowa State Fishing Lake using the iOverlander app as we were approaching Greensburg. We couldn't believe that all the campsites were free and available. We selected a big site with a view of the lake and plenty of room for Aly to play. It even had a nice picnic table and firepit!
You can view a few photos from boondocking at Kiowa State Fishing Lake on the Carpe Diem Facebook page by clicking on the image below.
Traveling from Kansas to Missouri
Tom and I woke up to fog at our boondocking site in Greensburg, Kansas. Then, as we continued our drive east across the Missouri state line, we ran into heavy rain. We didn't mind the rainy weather and were relieved to cross Tornado Alley without incident!
Wichita, Kansas was the largest city we encountered on our route but it wasn't bad. Soon after passing through Wichita, a billboard welcomed us to "Meat Country". Not the best welcome for a vegetarian but the endless fields of greens and grains made up for it. In addition to the lush rolling hills, we were impressed with how dark and rich the soil looked.
Aly enjoyed a morning run in a huge grassy meadow at the Beaumont Rest Area just before the rain started pouring down. This was one of the best rest areas for dogs that we've found. It doesn't have a dog park but a mowed path through the natural grass was even better! Aly was so tired from that "rest stop" that she didn't mind hanging out in the camper during our next rainy rest stop in the Walmart parking lot. Tom and I wandered aimlessly through the store to stretch our legs before hitting the road again.
Soon after crossing into Missouri, we noticed signs reminding drivers to "share the road" with a picture of a horse and buggy. We hadn't realized this was Amish country but we did, indeed, see a horse and buggy as we passed through El Dorado Springs.
Tom and I reached Osage Beach, in the Ozark Mountains of Missouri, just before sunset. It was a rainy Friday night and we were reluctant to drive around campgrounds looking for an available campsite. So, we opted to park at the local Elks Lodge for the night. As a member, they offered Tom a great parking spot with electric power for just a $10 donation. Inside the lodge, Tom enjoyed a big steak dinner while I joined the lovely ladies for line-dancing to live music.
You can view a few photos of our drive from Kansas to Missouri on the Carpe Diem Facebook page by clicking on the image below.
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