another one, another zero

Day 4: Wide Open Spaces

Kansas City to Denver

I was bracing for an uneventful drive across the great plains to Denver.  My route would take me right through the heart of Kansas - 600 miles of what I expected to be flat, boring wheat fields punctuated by the occassional farm, grain elevator or pair of ruby slippers.  But Kansas surprised me.

It's true.  Kansas is very flat.  But rather than being boring, the flatness of the landscape, along with the impossibly big sky turned out to be incredibly beautiful and serene.  Spending most of life in cities and suburbs does not prepare you for the sheer vastness of a place like the plains.  To get an idea of what I am talking about, check out some of my Kansas photos in my "Kansas"photo album in the right sidebar.  In addition to the scenery, the weather was perfect, the air was fresh and the Kansans I talked to along the way were the nicest people you'd ever want to meet.  If it stopped right there - it would have been a great day.  But I also encountered two notable and unforgettable sights!

The Center of America

Just outside of the tiny town of Lebanon, Kansas, about 10 miles south of the Kansas/Nebraska line, stands a modest stone marker.  The marker sits at 98°35' West Longitude and 39°50' North Latitude, which is the precise geographic center of the continental US.  (If you're wondering - yes, I did go about 50 miles out of my way to personally see the marker.  I am a nerd like that.).

The Largest Ball of Twine

While I freely admit to seeking out the center of the US, the second notable place I visited on my trip through Kansas was complete serendipity.  I was driving through the town of Cawker City, miding my own business, when, on the left hand side of the road, a large shrine caught my eye:  CAWKER CITY'S BALL OF TWINE.  WORLD'S LARGEST.  I had heard rumors about the largest ball of twine, but what were the odds that I would just happen upon it?

For the record, the ball was started in 1953 by one Frank Stoeber.  As of its last weighing in 2006 (that would have been fun to see.  I wonder if they have a weighing ceremony, presided over by the mayor?), the ball weighed in at a whopping 17,886 pounds.  Really puts things in perspective, doesn't it?  Just when I was starting to think I accomplished something in life, I run smack into the Sistine Chapel of twine.  Better get back on the road...

 

Day 3: 500 Miles, Three States, One Fantastic Pork Sandwich

Chicago to Kasnas City.  525 Miles. 

I was getting a little punchy by the time I got about 50 miles into Iowa, so I pulled over for some lunch at the Arby's just outside of Iowa City.  While I had lunch, I thought I'd check out the chapter on Iowa in my guidebook - to learn a little something about the state's history and attractions.  I flipped to the place in the book where Iowa should have been...but no dice.  The book skipped right from Illinois to Missouri.  I took this as a hint and decided to press on through to KC with all deliberate speed.  The highlites of my time in Iowa were:  (1) seeing the "Wold's Largest Truckstop" from the highway (I did not stop - even though there was an Arby's attached to it) and (2) having largest mosquito I have ever seen slam into my windshield.  With that behind me - it was on to KC.

Kansas City - A Pleasant Surprise.

Arrived in KC at about 6pm and decided to check out some of the sights before it got too dark.  I was pleasantly surprised. 

For instance, who knew that Kansas City had a whole district whose archtcture is modeled after medieval Seville, Spain?  The area is known simply as "The Plaza" and boasts what is probably America's only Cheesecake Factory with minarets.  In all seriousness, the Plaza was a great place to walk around, check out the stores, bars, restaurants, parks, fountains, and very unique and unexpected architecture.

Speaking of fountains, KC apparently has a good number of them.  I saw this one (the "Bloch Fountain") outside of KC's Union Station.  It's reminiscent of the fountain at the Bellagio in Vegas, minus the music and gawking tourists.

KC is also home to a large WWI memorial and museum (the Liberty Plaza) as well as some of the world's best barbecue.  For dinner, I headed over to the famous Arthur Bryant's Barbecue for what was easily the best pulled pork of all time.  Overall, two big thumbs up to KC.

Tomorrow, it's on to Denver.  Another 600 miles, via Kansas.  I am guessing I am in for a lot of wheat....I'll let you know.

Day 2 on the Road

Day 2.  Buffalo to Chicago.  A long, uneventful drive.  To put it in perspective, the highlite of the day was a stop at the Middle Ridge Service Plaza (somewhere in northern Ohio).  It's safe to say that Middle Ridge is the Bellagio of service plazas.  Huge, clean, good variety of food options...two thumbs up.

And I did not even get to visit the "Truckers Lounge...".  Probably something like the Starwars canteen..

But I did pick up some great Ohio fashion tips while I was waiting in line at the Burger King...

Made it to Mark's place in Chicago by Tuesday evening and spent Wednesday checking out Lincoln Park.  Thursday, morning it's off to Kansas City...