If you look, the scenery is quite nice.

 

When we take the trouble to look, we begin to see the commonplace in a different way. Veering south, we head into southern Colorado in a hard day of driving. Playing the Slumdog album helped keep us going.  

Kansas . . . not a lot out here.

Heading west out of Topeka, the biggest surprise is that there are beautiful rolling hills. That, and signs about Ike and towns that contributed astronauts to Houston. Soon this gives way to little oil wells and big wind mills by the side of the highway; and a few remaining on farmsteads.

 

Fueling up on the Santa Fe Trail

With Emma safely in her boarding school in St. Louis, the intrepid travelers set off on the Santa Fe trail, heading west into the merciless sun, stopping briefly at Boss Hawg’s in Topeka to fortify themselves for the journey ahead. They’ll return in a few week’s time to celebrate Emma’s graduation with her.  

The Launch

Farewell, center hall colonial, 4 BR, 2 1/2 baths. Dinosaurs still roam the upstairs hall playing hide and seek with Dracula. But, we’re off. We’ll carry our memories in our pockets, thank you very much, and head north. Sounds good. A change of view, a new direction, an internal adventure (guess you could say). See what happens. First phase: a traditional trip west to the gateway city and beyond to the Rockies, the Parks, and our stony-faced Presidents. Two graduations and sites to see in between. Stay tuned. – Amanda and Jim