Day 18 Liberal, KS to Dodge City, KS

I think this picture says a lot. It gives you the bikers eye view of riding through Kansas. Note the varied landscape. All the houses. Places to stop and refresh.

The thing that has so far impressed me most about Kansas is that the roadside is clean - very little litter. I don't know if they pick it up or that the people don't litter to start with, but, compared to the South Carolina, roadside in Kansas is pristine.

Craig had to stop riding this morning. The arm that he crashed on developed a large bump just below the elbow about the size of half an orange. They took him to the hospital in Dodge City. I haven't heard yet how he made out. My guess is, he's going to be riding in the van for a couple of days.

I know you're tired of me talking about the wind. Too bad. Today riding up route 54 we were headed northeast with a nice quartering tailwind. After about 60 miles we turned left on route 283 and headed directly north to Dodge City. Now we had a direct tailwind. Fastest 20 miles I have ever ridden. The road was smooth and flat and with very little effort you could go 20-25 mph. Turned left on Wyatt Earp Blvd and almost immediately after the Boot Hill Museum I saw the Dairy Queen. A medium chocolate milkshake is $3.99. I remember them being a lot cheaper when I used to get them in Salem. The 10 cent cones aren't 10 cents anymore either.

Thanks to Sue for keeping me up to date on the history of these towns. Dorthy's house was just down the street from our motel in Liberal. Our rest stop today was where the Dalton gang hid out.

I know Old Dick would be riding along if his war injuries didn't preclude it. Falling off that bar stool in Saigon really has taken a toll on him both physically and mentally.