Driving across Kansas even today gives you a stunning feel of what it was like for the Pioneers riding or walking behind their wagons on the way to the Rockies. Particularly in June, the long rolling vistas shimmer in a subtle green and blue haze that nearly defies the imagination with its vast scope.
The Jeep continued to just hum along. However, we were making more gasoline stops as our mileage dropped almost to 10 mpg, due somewhat to the long hills but more so to the fact it was just too easy to stay at the posted speed limit, 70. I had promised myself I wouldn’t tow faster than 60 or 65, but with the dual cam sway control system the jeep/trailer combo was rock solid.
We turned south at Oakley, to head down a two-lane to Scott State Park, 40 miles away in the flat distance. Scott SP is like an oasis in the desert, as you have no clue it’s there until you suddenly drop into the broad canyon seemingly appears right out of nowhere. The flat horizon gives no clue ahead of time that you are approaching a large lake surrounded by bluffs and rock outcroppings that were once used by the Plains Indians to herd buffaloes to their sudden deaths by forcing them to stampede over the unforeseen cliffs into the canyon.
We found a beautiful campsite, with water and electricity no less, overlooking the lake, and no crowds. After un-hitching, we drove out to Monument Rocks, following some very cool dirt roads with more great vistas of Kansas that you don’t get from the Interstate. We had perfect late afternoon light for this little photo safari, with a high blue sky dotted with a few cotton tufts of clouds.
Dinner was a turkey pot pie from the coffee shop and a couple of light Coors with a twist of lemon.
I figured I’d take a forced break from my computer, but guess what, when I got up the next morning and was a bit bored waiting for the coffee to finish, I fired up the laptop and the wireless card connected!
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