Day 5 – Kansas

Wind Turbine Farm

For the most part, we spent the day driving west across Kansas, roughly following the old Santa Fe Trail. There are still wagon ruts left from the trail, but when we stopped to look for them at one outlook, we think we saw them but not for sure. The prairie grass was pretty tall. This part of Kansas is very flat and it was extremely windy today. Having a constant wind in this area is normal and it supports the use of wind generated electricity. In one spot east of Dodge City we drive through about a thousand wind turbines.

Dodge City

And of course if you’re in Dodge City, you have to stop by and see Boot Hill. There is a touristy reproduction of old Front Street in Dodge City, complete with the Long Branch Saloon and the original Boot Hill Cemetery right behind it. Of course when we finished touring, I got to use that very popular saying: “Let’s get the hell out of Dodge!”

To pass the time, we are listening to Blind Descent, an audiobook by Nevada Barr. Her books are mysteries set in different National Parks and this one involves a cave descent in Carlsbad Caverns National Park. We are going to do our own cave visit in a couple of days and this will help get us in the mood.