As we drove north along I35 we noticed a lot of high water with creeks and rivers out of their banks. Also, the wind was blowing quite hard. Lucky for us the wind was quartering a bit behind us decreasing our fuel consumption to 11.6 mpg, go wind. When we stopped for the night in Guthrie, the young lady that checked us in told us that it was the first time in her memory that she had seen such flooding along the Cimarron River. Later that night we drove into town for dinner at the #2 restaurant in town and saw first hand that indeed some of the roads were closed due to the flooding.
I would like to tell you all about the fantastic dinner that we had at the #2 restaurant in town but I shall not even name it. Although, the fellow that waited our table was nice enough. That evening the wind continued to blow causing the canopy over the slide to lift several times. The next morning when we went to put the slide in, we found that the canopy was folded on itself from the wind. So, out came the ladder and with a little coaxing, we had it straightened out.
We continued north on I35 with Homewood, KS our next stop. We continued to see high water all along the trip. There was one point that the water needed only another 2 feet and it would be covering I35. Our plan was to sleep in and go out for breakfast leaving late in the morning for our next leg into Independence which was only 78 miles. When I asked the young lady if there was a good place to go for breakfast in Homewood, her answer said it all. “This is Homewood” she said with a grin. That night we sat and watched as some pretty bad weather passed to south of us. The next morning, we watched the news to find out that 13 tornadoes had touched down just across the line from us in MO. With our going out for breakfast in the gutter, we stayed in and Pat made French Toast. However, we noticed water coming out from under the counter near the bathroom, “Ut-Row.” We cleaned up and got on the road, we’ll deal with it in Independence.
We checked in early and while setting up found that one of the safety cables had come loose and dragged for a few miles and was worn down to a nubbin, another “ut-row.” Anyway I started with the leak and found that my sink drain going over to the grey tank had come loose and there was no way I was going to fix it. So, we called a mobile RV guy, they’ll call back.
Next, we went to Camping World for a new cable. No, they don’t have that length go to a truck place near where you’re camped. No, we don’t carry that, go up to Liberty, I’m sure they have it. No, we don’t but let me make a call. Yup, here’s a place that has it, out by the airport. Bottom line was that after 3 hours of running around we got a new cable. On our way back to the RV the mobile guy called and said they would be there in an hour or so. They came in figured out what they needed, went and got it, came back and fixed the broken pipe and we were exhausted. And this was supposed to be a short, easy day.
Ok, next day, the major problems seem to be done for now and I’m out on the golf course playing a course called WinterStone. It’s number 223 for me, but I’m only playing 9 holes. It, like every golf course within 50 miles is cart path only. The staff is very friendly and the course is very wet as well as hilly.
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| WinterStone GC Independence, MO |
I’m not sure which hole this is, but you can imagine how much you have to walk after hitting the ball. And yes, every hole is like this. I would love to play this when I could use a cart on the fairways.
Did I mention where the campground is located? If you’ve been to Independence and visited the home of Harry S. Truman, the campground is a few blocks southwest of the house.
Back in 2000 we did a tour of the Truman house and enjoyed it thoroughly, but decided once was enough. Our main purpose is to visit friends here in the area and we are doing just that. However, there is a display that did catch our attention.
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| Stonehenge in England |
No, we didn’t find a portal to England. We went to Union Station in Kansas City where they are doing a fine display of facts and artifacts along with some mock-ups from Stonehenge in jolly old England. We found the 90-minute tour to be fascinating, if you’re into that sort of thing. With modern science they have been able to determine a lot of information about this monument that they did not know just 40 years ago.
I snapped this pic as we were leaving Union Station, thought you’d get a kick. Look to the top of the building above the train and you’ll see the Western Auto sign. I wonder if they are still in business? Anyway, we’ve had a blast here in KC/Independence and are now looking forward to our next leg of the trip. Wouldn't it be nice if the rain would take a break. Last report we heard there were over 200 tornadoes here in the midwest and I can't tell you how many floods.
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