golddog goes for a ride

Nope. Lots, I assume, especially if it was Red-autographed and authenticated.

A cousin has rented a house in Puerta Vallarta til May, so I've been trying to figure out when I want to go down there. Now would be a good time, lol.

Guess I'm going to Wichita. Going to meet up with my college friend Mark to watch our Pups play Mizzou.

Thinking about leaving Tuesday and making it two short days' drive, but poke along the back roads, or Wednesday and plow down the interstate. It's only ~8 hours.

Don't think I've been much more than 10 miles from my house since returning from India, looking forward to a quick road trip. Weather looks niceish, with the day we're inside being quite windy.

What a frustrating start to the day.

The last bit of material, a couple boxes of grout that HD doesn't keep in stock, were supposed to be shipped to the store yesterday. I check the order online and see this

What the literal ****? How hard is it to move a package from Aurora to Broomfield?

I call the 800#, and Spencer tells me that UPS dropped it at the store's dock. Well, nobody bothered to tell me. Since I'm in no hurry, I'll go over to the store before I leave.

The desk person calls whoever in back. They don't have the box. I explain to her that I'm going out of town, so if they find it, they'll have to hold it til I get back. I also tell her what a ridiculous experience ordering from HD is. She tells me I should "mention that to the higher-ups." Well, how about you do something?

Anyway, I wander out of town. Somewhere east of Denver, there's a fairly large grandstand sorta thing close to I70, but kinda in the middle of nowhere. I've always wondered what it was, so pulled off to take a look.

I 70 runs in back, so I had no idea it was in this state or disrepair.

Still not sure. I think it might've been a dirt-track raceway, but the glassed-in front of the stands doesn't make sense to me. I thought the roaring of the engines was part of the experience.* Coulda been a rodeo area?

After a little bit ,went on the back roads. The wind was really whipping out there, out of the west. So, on stretches where I drove south, the MPG indicator really suffered; then, when I turned east again, it went back up. The Subie at one point power-braked for a huge tumbleweed. I suppose it couldn't determine that it was going to blow across before we got to it.

Somewhere in western Kansas, radio guy was talking about a blizzard warning overnight that "pretty much covers our whole listening area, and might force a closure of I 70". Um it's 82 degrees where I am, apparently in the listening area. I think I'm far enough south it's supposed to be unpleasant, but cold rain, not snow/ice with the wind.

Only about 120 miles from Wichita, so even if it's a "go slow" day, I've got all day to get there.

*

Tomorrow finish off the drive, get an update from Mark as to where he's at. I imagine we'll go for dinner somewhere and meet up in the morning for the madness!

Go Pups! If you're not rooting for Drake, you're a bad person.

Looks like the grandstand for a horse racing track but wasn't able to find anything on Google and haven't lived here in Denver long enough to know of any track other than the one at the Arapahoe County fairgrounds.

The wind was crazy tonight, turned a little bit of snow into whiteout conditions. Drive safe, looks like it's heading your way.

Sent from my SM-S928U using Tapatalk

*

Agree with Comeasur that it is more likely a horse track.

I won't deny that I've been to some dirt track car races, but it has literally been decades. The crowds I was among wouldn't have even wanted the bathroom facilities to be indoors. Plumbing was optional. And getting a bit of mud from the track slung in your teeth was part of the attraction.

I have a friend whose grandson does some dirt track racing currently so I see pics occasionally. It's not Colorado, but none of his backgrounds look anything like that!

Thanks. Today was a slog.

Stayed about 120 NW of Wichita, so fortunately not too bad. Wind started howling overnight (radio guy said 50 mph with gusts to 70). At the hotel, there was heavy, wet snow being blown around.

Once I got on the road a bit, it turned to mostly rain, and the snow became drier, smaller flakes. The wind kept it from accumulating on the road, and the intensity waned quite a bit.

Wind out of the north, maybe NW. Now, I've already crashed two cars in winter driving conditions, so probably am more cautious than necessary. Plus, I had all day to get here.

Got on the road a little after 8. On southbound roads, the wind kept the road more-or-less clear. Noticed that the snow would accumulate and melt when the road was in the lee of some trees or something creating a windblock on the north side of an east-west road. So I was going pretty slow there, just in case what looked like water had refrozen.

Fortunately, I was in Kansas, so those places were few and far between. Did see a semi's trailer get a little bit sideways in some town when he had to brake for a light, but nothing major.

Got to Wichita, had some lunch & texted with my friend. He was in NW Mo, so should get to town shortly. Checked into the hotel. It's pretty nice for < $70/night.

A Baymont Inn & Suites. Not sure if I got a special deal cuz I'm in Wyndham's Frequent Flyer club, but I'll take it.

Tried to lay down a little, tired from the previous night and driving through icky weather, but couldn't nod off. Drove around a little; went to a Chase to pay my United card that's coming due, then drove down by the arena, to get the lay of the land.

It's kind of on the edge of downtown. Wichita appears to be like Denver 30 years ago; a decaying downtown, with street-level storefront mostly boarded up and/or empty. Didn't see much in my recon for tomorrow's dinner, just a few FF places.

Back to the room. I suppose when Mark gets in, we'll meet up for dinner and make plans for tomorrow.

Pups win! Say it with me!

Glad to see you got there safely. After I read your post about the weather I saw a news story about how the weather was affecting the roads where you were driving.

I spent a couple of days in Wichita about 15-20 years ago and rather enjoyed it. I don't recall where I was other than it was very close to an airport where Beechcraft (I think) pretty much ruled. It was interesting watching all the flights in and out of there. I don't think I ever got near downtown, but the suburbs I visited seemed much nicer than I expected.

Enjoy the game!

Thanks, Tom. I wonder if I've got your old room in the Baymont!

My friend got in last night. He's staying close to the arena, in what seems to be the LoDo-like (i.e., remade old area, restaurants and bars) area. We met for dinner down there. I get the feeling that Wichita is coming around, but is still kinda rough downtown.

Getting ready to head down and connect, then we'll wander in for the first session.

Not much happened today. Despite getting to bed late, up with the sun. Went for a drive after breakfast and saw quite a bit of Wichita. Seems to be a nice enough, mid-sized- mid-American city.

Met with Mark for lunch at a place near his hotel in Old Town. It was nice (though breezy) out, so we wandered down by the river and along the walking path down there and back. On the way back to my hotel, I learned they (or at least radio person) announces it the Ar-kan-sas river, instead of Ark-an-saw as I expected.

Went for a bite at a BBQ joint down the road. Probably in for the night, just watch some March Madness.

Tomorrow we're planning to meet up for lunch, then hit the game. Mark's planning to drive back afterward, as his church choir is singing at some small place in NW Wisconsin.

I don't have that kind of problem, and expect to have a beer or two after (maybe more if Pups win), and wander back here.

Guns up!

Wandered back yesterday. As is my custom, went along the back road, this time across southern Kansas. Really windy by Wichita again. By the time I stopped for lunch, it was breezy.

There was a short area called the Gypsum hills that were kinda scenic. Some very small buttes, and mini-canyons for a few miles. Surprisingly to me, the hills were red. Also disappointed the features were not built in 4'x8'x3/8" sheets.

That storm I mostly missed must've been pretty severe. Lots of places along the way in western Kansas and eastern Colorado still had pretty good-size patches of snow on the roadside four days later.

Saturday, driving down into downtown. Had plenty of time, was planning just to beat around at the fan sites until it was time to go in. Saw a garage sale sign. Hmm, maybe I'll find a puzzle or a book or something, who knows.

I've got on my letter sweater and letter jacket from my manager days. Walk up the driveway and the woman tells me her husband went to Drake. Turns out, he was a soccer player on the team that made the Elite Eight a while back. Small world.

Wichita seemed like a nice enough midwestern city. I stayed way out on the eastern edge of Wichita--which was about a 20 minute drive along Central, the main east-west street just north of downtown.

Along Central I saw a custom ski/snowboard shop. Would not have guessed there was enough demand in Wichita (or, indeed, in Kansas as a whole) to support such a thing.

Stats:

1466.7 miles
33.3 mpg
.210 gallons saved by auto shutoff at stops
52 mph avg

I hear this morning that McCollum moved to Iowa. I bet they'll get a guard too. Mark thought most of the other players were out of eligibility, but Stirtz still had some.

Oh yeah, I forgot to say. If anyone's going through BFE Kansas (of course applies to lots of the American West), don't let your gas tank run too low or yourself get too hungry.

Lots of those dots on the map are a collection of a few houses, maybe a building or two, not something you'd call a town. Many of them don't have gas or food. If they did, they've long since closed up.

Coming back Sunday, starting to get hungry. I'll stop at what's in the next town. Nope. Next town. Nope.

Of course, once you get close to the interstate, no worries.

This month's Smithsonian magazine had an article on the Buddha's origins.

Not a particular point of interest for me, but they mentioned Sarnath, which we visited on my tour in December. This was the spot of his first sermon.

Kinda a personal connection there.

As for this blog, no real plans, due to the bathroom redo. May take a camping/road trip this summer, but nothing really beyond, "Maybe I'll go to the Black Hills/whatever's up that way."

I sometimes look at P&S (and am almost always sad that I did). In some thread over there, somebody mentioned the number of countries they'd been to, and others piped up.

I thought it was an interesting topic, but not so much I want to jump in that cesspool. So, here it is:

Americas (8)

USA#n
Canada
Mexico
BVI
Costa Rica
Venezuela
Brazil
Argentina

Oceania (3)

Oz
Kiwiland
Tonga

Asia (3)

Malaysia
Thailand
India

Europe (6)

GBR
Ireland
Germany
Switzerland
Lichtenstein
Austria

Africa (4)

RSA
Zimbabwe
Zambia
Botswana

Others (2)
Japan
Iceland
Antarctica

So 24 or 26? Not sure if the last two count. In both cases, I guess I legally entered the country (through customs & immigration, got a passport stamp), but never left the airport.

In Japan, I flew in on Malaysia Airlines (fortunately not ditching it into the ocean), and out on American. They didn't have a bag-transfer agreement, so I had to go out, get my bag, and re-check. But really just wandered around Narita for many hours.

In Iceland, I was coming back from South Africa, took a few rest days in Regensburg, GER. Lufthansa went on a warnstreik the day I was due to fly home. Travel insurance company was able to get me on Iceland Air. Not sure why I had to go through C&I, just switched planes there. Maybe Reykjavik's airport is small enough they don't have an "international" area?

Of course, Antarctica isn't really a country (though the Argentines do claim the peninsula), but it's a spot.

Not sure what's next on the international front. Was thinking Galapogos, but I hear bad things about Guayaquil, through which the tours seem to go. Macchu Picchu might be ok, but I'm not so much a history buff. Seems to be their bad-weather season during our winter, when I'm usually looking to go somewhere.

Also could go to Nepal or Sir Lanka or something and try to complete "around the world". Need to fill in the slice between Varanasi, India, and Ipoh, Malaysia.

Bob & Christina have been adventuring around Australia for a couple years (mostly--came back here for a visit, hit Vietnam and Thailand on side trips). Maybe I should go back to a new-to-me part of Oz and try to coordinate a meetup.

On the road again. Went to bed early last night with the intention of getting out early. Out of town by 8ish. Not quite as early as I wanted, but not too bad either.

Headed north. Somewhere by Chugwater, WY, it started getting uncomfortable. ****, I think the AC is out.

Turns out, I didn't have the "A/C" option selected, just the recirculate. Oops.

Anyway, churned along. There's a lot of nothing in Wyoming. Did see a few antelope and deer. One cool piece of roadside art, which I didn't realize what it was until I was past. Somebody had set up on a ridge a sculpture (I guess? Seemed to be cut out of something like 1/4" steel plate.) It was a silhouette of bigfoot ,with a triceratops on a leash.

Saw a sign for Arvada, so pulled off to see that (also the name of the suburb next to mine). This one much smaller of course. Guy had a bunch of cool art in his yard.

Well, you'll have to trust me, as the wifi here at the campground sucks dog balls.

Got to talking to him, and asked about his Seahawks pickup. Apparently in his youth, he'd been out the Seattle to visit an uncle, so adopted the Seahawks. AT some later point, he was out, they went to a game, and there was a similar truck at the stadium, so he was inspired to get one.

On his advice, went into the local bar. Pretty cool inside with tons of mounts from hunting, but the music up a bit too loud for me, and it was midafternoon, I didn't want to get stuck somewhere without a place to stay.

Got up to Devils Tower. Pretty sure I came across the exact hillside where Richard Dreyfuss and Melinda Dillon had their first sight of the Tower.

Went along down to Sundance, where I found this campsite & RV Park. Nice enough place, except for the wifi.

Photo dump from yesterday:

Last night sucked. Despite having been up since ~6:30, couldn't fall asleep for the longest time. When I did, a windstorm blew through a few hours later, so I laid there listening to the nylon flap. Finally it calmed down and I was able to get some sleep, but not great.

Up with the dawn, which is about 5;50. Heated (well, kinda) my burritos while tearing down. Started toward the Black Hills.

Had in mind to take the trail to Black Elk Peak, which is the highest point in South Dakota. When bending over to put my socks and boots on for the hike, back felt weird. Not really popped, cant figure out how to describe it. Not so bad I shouldn't give it a go. Some pics along the trail.

The sign said the trail is about 3 miles each way. Fortunately, there was some breeze, which helped, and some shade. Here's what the top of South Dakota looks like.

I'm told that blocky one in right-center is the back of Mt. Rushmore.

In addition to the viewing area, there's a little tower, but it doesn't really enhance the view.

Sat for a bit and had a sandwich, then started back down.

Started and 9:30, think I got back about 1:15. The return noticeably warmer, and I was starting to wear out too. By the time I got to the bottom, back starting to stiffen, though not terrible.

Then drove by these guys.

Didn't go in, as I've been a couple times, and they're unlikely to need my help with Mr. Vandamm.

Coming into Rapid City had a bit of a startle. Looked over to the passenger seat, and the phone cord wasn't attached to my phone. Not in my pocket. Oh ****, did I leave it somewhere.

Pulled off, looked around the car, thinking maybe I'd let it in back when I was getting a Coke out of the cooler after the hike. Nope. Oh ****.

Well, on the plus side, it's probably due to be replaced, and I'm near something which passes for civilization in SD.

Finally saw it between the passenger seat and the console.

Got down to Rapid City (after passing the Verizon store), and it started pouring. Just bucketing down. Fortunately didn't last too long, but there were a ton of sever weather alerts on the radio this afternoon.

Next up, I went to Belle Fouche, which is the center of the United States. At least they have a thing saying so.

It turns out the actual center is a way out of town. Being a sucker for geographic oddities, I went to see that.

The first part is just something people put up. There's a gate in the fence with a short path to the official marker.

After that, I looped back to Belle Fouche. Since it's still 95 at 6:30, and weather's been rough nearby, I opted for a hotel. So far, doesn't seem like the AC is doing its job.

love your stories goldie, reminds me of some of the trips i took in my early 20s

Thank you, Red.

Went for a walk. Turs out it's Belle Fourche. Oops.

Alaska and Hawaii, smh

Right you are, Mark. According to the display back in town, when they became states, the "geographic center" of the US moved northwest from Smith Center, KS (shown elsewhere in this thread).

There was a display on how they calculate the geographic center, and how that's changed over time. If you're interested, go to Belle Fourche.

Glad I got a hotel room last night, as it rained. Probably not enough to ruin camping had I done so, but it would've been unpleasant.

Hotel guy fiddled with the AC for a while and it didn't work, so put me in a different room. Slept pretty well, but enough inattention to detail that I didn't leave them a great review. No cups in the room for coffee or water. Some previous guest had left their washcloth on the shower curtain rail, so it got scrunched up when the curtain was pulled back, and housekeeping didn't notice. Just little, annoying junk.

Anyway, off I went today in the cloudy weather. Headed toward Montana.

In Ekalala, MT, I saw an actual phone booth. Did not check if it was operational but that was a blast from the past.

Kinda gloomy with occasional rain and wind all day. After a while turned back in to North Dakota.

Saw New England's football stadium.

Expected bigger after all those Super Bowls.

Today, went to White Butte, ND, which is the top of that state.

It was cloudy, cool, and windy so grabbed my raincoat before heading up. You start out in a cow field. As I'm walking up the path, I'm thinking, "well, at least I have a red coat on."

But, of course, the ones near the path skittered off when I approached, so I didn't have to toreador at all.

View from the top

The Subie is in parking at the end of the road in that latter shot. Wasn't a bad hike. Just less than a mile, and some elevation gain. Path well-maintained and neither too steep or too long. But it was cold, and the wind was howling up there, so I didn't hang around.

Next up, pulled off at an area for Theodore Roosevelt National Park, where they have an overview of Painted Canyon.

Trundled on over to Wibaux, where I got a remarkably average burger and fried for dinner. Since it's crappy out, wanted to hotel it again tonight. The rest area nearby had free wifi. When I checked for rooms in Glendive, Wyndham said I had enough points to book it free, so here I am at the Baymont. It's pretty nice, will certainly do for a night.

Turns out "free" is $33.13. Still, pretty tough to beat.

Stopped in Scobey, MT for lunch. I guess that makes it a Scobey snack.

As is my custom, find a park, quick sandwich, snacks & Coke. Couldn't find the cheese in the cooler. Remember seeing it when I packed up. Didn't search exhaustively, but figure I dropped it this morning.

It looked like things were clearing, but now clouds again. See if Canada will let me in and start east.

all for moody landscape shots reminding us not every day is cloudbreak and rainbows