On DaRoad to AIBF–Day 29 and Counting

We left Liberal Kansas around 7:50, this morning. Susan has the first shift and I’ll have the second. For those of you, who may ask, what is there to do in Liberal? Well, Liberal is the State’s Home of Dorothy’s House. Along with a historical society house and museum. Both of which are a must see. Along with the Mid America Air Museum.

The museum is based at the original B-24 Liberator WW II air base. This based operated from 1942 to 1945 ish. The museum has bragging rights as the largest General Aviation Museum in Kansas.

Now, for those of you who read trip reviews, you will notice some people (guys) complaining about not going out on the tarmac. Well, this is all I have to say about that:

“To those that wait come good things.”

We stop in and were amazed at the general aviation airplanes and fixed-wings. Being retired from the Aerospace field, I was surprised at the quality of them. Walking around the history that is stored here. Truly amazing. We saw a 3 time world record holder, Fastest time in a straight line, covering over 5,000 miles. Planes that were ahead of there time, when produced. Small scaled planes used by the military, 2 of the smaller instrument flight simulators.

As we were getting ready to leave, we asked if a volunteer was available, as we did want to walk on the Tarmac and look at the 5 planes outside. Boy where we surprised, when the new museum general manager introduced himself and said he would escort us.

After introductions, Scott gave us a personal tour. As we walked around, he explained the many changes taking place and what they were expecting in the future.

One of the special planes on hand was Burt Rutan Starship Enterprise. Which you can read all about it:

HERE

This was the first Composite construction and an all glass cockpit display. I marveled at this, when the plane was introduced.



Now look how many commercial airplanes have the same things.

Another plane I marveled at was a Beechcraft Model 17 Staggerwing. You can read all about it:

HERE

This plane had been owned by a ranching couple (JR Ranch). After the couple passed away, the family decided to donate it to the museum.

Now, you are wondering why, I stated the quote? As we continued to walk and talk about the many aircrafts, Scott, asked, which airplane would you like to peak inside and even sit in. WOW, a big WOW.

Highlight? Burt Rutan’s and the Staggerwing of course. To sit in a plane with such advancement at the time and a luxury plane of the time.

I do have to say, if any of you come this way and have a week or 2 to spend, I would think about doing the time volunteering at the Mid-American Air Museum. As a volunteer, think about the many planes you could touch, look inside, feel with your hands and marvel at the many miles they traveled. Even just picking up a broom and sweeping the floor, you could gaze at the many planes.

My hat goes off to Scott and his wonderful knowledge of the many planes on site. A person that moved from Orlando, Florida to become the general manager? Museum Curator?

Mid-America Air Museum  
Website
Directions
4.213 Google reviews
Museum in Liberal, Kansas
Address: 2000 2nd St, Liberal, KS 67901
Hours:
Open today · 8AM–5PM
Phone: (620) 624-5263

So, as we leave Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas we bid a fond farewell and refuel for $2.39/gallon.

By the way, if you wonder how Liberal got it name, you can read all about it:

HERE 

And I thought, this is where all the LIBERALS came from.

Dale
DaGirls Travels
Aka Dakota & Tilly
Safe Travels and Journeyshttp://dagirlsrv.blogspot.com/
You Tube Video - Roadrunner Song

On DaRoad to AIBF–31 days

So we left the Derr Family farm round 7:14 am.  As I slowly drove out of the driveway, I saw Dwight and we both made our last goodbyes by waving at each other.

Some people wonder, why we would stay in one place so long. Well, it is the close friendships we have established, with each one of you.

Our travels will take us to NE 6 and then onto US - 81 heading south to Kansas. Once in Kansas we will eventually pickup I-70 and head west, where we will exit at #225 taking Ks. Hwy 156. Once on 156 we will be going southwest and thru Great Bend, Ks. You’ll remember GB, as we stopped and spent a few days enjoying that town on our way east earlier this summer.

Along the way, we saw many small town, some with parks, some with museums. We are thinking, we have to come back and do these small towns. The small parks are large enough to park our Beast, yet still enough room to walk around and sit a day, while seeking out new things and new friends.

When we pulled into a fuel station on the south side of a town called Ellsworth, Ks. While filling up, I spied a breakfast burrito – YUMM . So, after fill up, Susan paid, got coffee and a breakfast burrito. All four of us shared it. It was hot (not spicy hot), lots of eggs, meat all the stuff bad for you.

We switched drivers 3 times, I started and ended, while Susan did the middle. Sorry, no photos along the road, but one thing, as we rode along we keep discussing the different crops we saw along the highway. Thanks Dwight, now we can’t get the crops out of our mind - think we are becoming farm helpers????
Gee, is there any photo I can leave you with?  Let’s see:

Dale
DaGirls Travels
Aka Dakota & Tilly
Safe Travels and Journeys
http://dagirlsrv.blogspot.com/
You Tube Video - Roadrunner Song

On DaRoad to AIBF_Final Countdown

Monday, Sept. 4th, our final day here at the Derr Family farm. Dwight & Sharon went back to the State Fair to see Lady Bre model her dress. We elected to stay and prep the Rv for early departure on Tuesday.  Like is our schedule, when we wake up, we make our final adjustments and get on the road, usually between 7 and 8 am.

So, we today we have prepped inside and outside, moved the Rv, dumped and backed into a spot where we can just start up, slide in, antenna down, raise levelers and head straight out.

Like last year, we will say our goodbyes tonight as everyone will be up and gone or sleeping in when we leave.  One last beer-30, sitting around and talking about what we accomplished.  (note from Susan) And we enjoyed a wonderful dinner with the Derr's/Tisdale's on our last evening.

So, what have we done?

Worked with Dwight and helped get the coach painted. All that is left is painting brackets, awning rails and re-installing everything.  Hummm, wonder how be the pile of leftovers will be?  Ha, Ha

Along the way, we went to the Nebraska State Fair to see Lady Bre show her chickens, eggs and ducks in the poultry barn. All in all she did very well.  Showing poultry is a crap shoot game, it is all up to the judge, he/she will say something based on there opinion. You win or lose at that point, too big, not big enough, etc.

Along with feathered fowl, there are the rabbits, sheep, goats, cows, all different varieties, floating around and being shown.

But you know me, I can only sit for so long on a metal bench, so after an hour, I decided to head out and see the fair.

So, all in all this is a very large and well attended fair. And so much dryer than when we were there last year.

Dale
DaGirls Travels
Aka Dakota & Tilly
Safe Travels and Journeys
http://dagirlsrv.blogspot.com/
You Tube Video - Roadrunner Song

More Changes coming

So, what drove us to Friend, Ne, besides friends? Changes to the Rv. Where else can you go and have a shop of tools to use. The main thing? Battery box configuration changes.

First remove some batteries and setup outside the coach.

Next remove the frame, clean up the area and change the location of the grounding studs.

And before you know it the right side is cleaned and ready for the build process.

Since you did the right side, you now do the left side faster and wow. All done and cleaned. Next, you begin laying out the template for the frame.

More for later, as I continue to redo the battery box

Safe Travels from
DaGirls Dakota and Tilly

Rural America or Traveling the Santa Fe Trail

Ok, so what did we do ? We were doing so well, floating along. With all intents and purposes staying in Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona. With a little bit of Utah.

Now you may also be wondering just what the heck are you guys doing?

Weather was looking ok, nothing DaGirls could not handle. So, there we were just west of Kansas. So, why not cross into Ks., and then back out. We could dip in, head east a little bit and then head back. So what happen ? Well the weather for one, temperature, jumping into the high 90's. Then the wind, decide to play along with the temperature. Speeds reached in the mid 20's to 30's mph for over a week.

So, after a short 150 miles into Kansas, when the weather and wind hit, we decided to see if maybe, we could locate a place to stay awhile.

Using a few of our Web Sites for camp sites:

Free Campsites

Ultimate Campgrounds

using these to sites we located a county fair ground inside of Garden City. With 50 amps, water near by and a common dump, all for $20 a night.

When we arrived, we just happen to run into the last week of Beef Empire Days. 

Beef Empire Days

Well it seems, Garden city has a month long celebration, and at the end, they have a parade down main street, and we just happen to be parked across from the staging area. So, what did we do ? Gathered our chairs, and Dakota and Tilly and headed out to the main drag and watch the parade go by.

While here we visited the Zoo, the local museum (all for free), and saw some of the local sights.

Lee Richardson Zoo

Just across the street, where we were staying was the Arkansas river, which we traveled next to in Colorado. What an amazing river in Colorado, flowing wild, fast down the mountains. 

I was amazed as to how much water there was. That is, until we were in Kansas, I remarked, where did the water go. The river was empty. NaDa, zip, no water, what a waste, just which state took it all. That's another question and answer for a different time.

Little did we realize our little foray would lead us to many small towns. Some of which dated back to the mid to late 1800's.

Well it seem that the Hwy we were traveling on, Hwy 56, was better know as part of the Santa Fe Trail. Yep you read it correctly, Santa Fe Trail, where the big names, John Wayne, Ward Bond and many others herded cattle from Texas to New Mexico and beyond.

So, we continued to look around to see where we could find a unique place to see and lay low during this weather. What we found was a small Kansas city called Ellinwood. Where we found 2 camping areas, one with 50 amps (4 sites with 2 permeant), the other with 30 amps with 6 sites. Water at both places, but no dump, which we did not need.

What makes this a very unique city / place ? Ellinwood, was settled by Mennonites from the western side Germany. See, they came because of the promised of good land, and good weather and all the other crap. Well that was a big joke, as they soon settled they learned what a load of crap they had been sold. You see it gets really cold and really hot, in Kansas. So, what they did was build just like in Germany. Sidewalks under sidewalks, what you say? Well under each store they would build basements with doors leading to a hall way that went from 1 business to the other. This was done on both sides of main street. There were also connecting tunnels / hallways to each side of the street, with an interconnecting one to the train station. So, whether it was hot or cold, they were very comfortable. Later shops were opened underground, where no respectable lady would be allowed to enter. You see Ellinwood, was on the Santa Fe Trail. Underground is where the cow pokes went to get clean up or cleaned out, whichever came first.

Under Ground City of Ellinwood, Ks  

We decided since we were in the middle of Kansas between 2 major highways, 1 North and the other South, it would be a shame not to visit other small cities in Kansas.

I do believe this is the very first time (Except for Canada & Alaska), that we have spent so much time traveling only 50 to 75 miles a trip. Staying so long in an area. Alaska and Canada  really do not count as they are way larger than Kansas. So, here we are stopping every now and then, a city park here, county fairground park there, and even a few Corp of Engineers campgrounds.

So, what are we going to call this small trip ?

Rural America – Seeing what America is really all about. 

Here are just a few photos of Rural America as we traveled down Highway 56.

Where we traveled thru cities called: Garden City, Great Bend, Ellinwood, Council Grove, Osage, Hillsboro, Melvern, and Fort Scott.

Along the way, we visited sites titled: Eisenhower Presidential Library, Fort Larned, Fort Scott.

Eisenhower Archives

Fort Larned

Fort Scott National Historic Site

Watched 2 parades: Garden City and Council Grove. 

Stayed in 3 Corp of Engineers Camp Grounds.

Now for a Complete map of our travels, (Dump, Gas, Overnight stops, Sites), you can press the link:

2017 Summer Travels with DaGirls   

Additional Photos 

Ellinwood, Ks

Rural America 

Council Grove

Dale

Dakota & Tilly DaGirls Rv
Safe Travels and Journeys