We had overcast skies most of the leisurely 3 hour ride. We did dodge the early morning showers around 4:30 AM and we started 2 hours later than usual. (9:00 AM).
Watching the weather forecast each night in these parts, I can't believe the luck we've had escaping torrential rains, hail, and twister alerts. Both Texas and Oklahoma have been hit pretty hard. It almost seems like we're chasing the storm(s) ahead of us. Because of such a short ride we were encouraged to seek out local attractions and stop for lunch before heading to hotel as our rooms may not be ready.
We did linger at the Hooker (Oklahoma) Chamber of Commerce. Like Winslow, AZ, they did their best to capitalize on their name. It was perhaps not so ironic to see a Chinese Foot Massage Parlor across the parking lot. It reminded me of the one they closed down in Longmeadow, MA, a year or so ago, but I digress.
We sprinkled our Pacific beach sand at the Kansas border sign again for good luck and rolled into Liberal just around noon. We were offered two options for occupying our time: a visit to the local air museum, or to visit a replica of Dorothy Gale's house - yes of the Wizard of Oz fame.
According to Wikipedia (so it must be true) the Mid-America Air Museum has the fifth largest collection of civilian and military in the United States. It was started with a gift of fifty planes by General Tom (Thomas) Welch, Jr., the museum has more than one hundred aircraft.
Also according to Wikipedia "The Land of Oz" exhibit is a recreation of Dorothy's house and the famed Yellow Brick Road, featuring donated bricks bearing the names of such luminaries as Bob Dole, Ronald and Nancy Reagan, and Liza Minelli. This exhibit was originally designed and displayed for Topeka in 1981, but relocated here eleven years later by its creator Linda Windler.
Instead of going to either, I went to a Walgreens to pick up some necessities, and ducked into a local Wendy's with two other riders to wait out a passing shower and chow down on a Spicy Chicken sandwich. On getting to the hotel, I tagged along with a fellow rider in a cab to head out for some real cappuccino and scones at a local coffee shop. That was a treat.
We have a big Italian dinner planned at a local restaurant tonight with all of us and a special surprise birthday cake for one of the other riders. Should be a winning evening before we get back on schedule with our normal departure time and 82 miles to get to Dodge City, tomorrow.
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