Toto, we’re not in Kansas anymore.

July 13^th

Pete writes:

Today we had another history lesson as we drove from just outside Wichita, KS over to the Missouri border and down to Springfield, MO. Licia will write about our stop at Fort Scott, KS. My story today is the adventure we had on the way.

OK so today was Friday the 13^th. Now we’re not superstitious but wouldn’t you figure that it would be today, (16 days and 3,800 miles into our trip) that we had a brush with some dangerously severe weather.   After a leisurely morning, we left our last Kansas campground for the 3-hour drive to the eastern border of Kansas. The weather was hot (92+) but beautifully sunny and we were exited about the day ahead. About 1 ½ hours into the trip as we crossed, yet again, miles and miles of wide open spaces on flat, straight roads, a strong wind began to come up. I had driven through some wind in crossing Ohio on the first part of our trip, but it was not this bad. High wind, particularly coming from the side, can be very difficult when you are driving a box that is 10 feet high and 23 feet long. The side of the RV becomes a big rectangular main sail which tries to take over steering the vehicle. For about an hour I fought the steering wheel to keep the RV on the road. We have been doing most of our traveling on the farm roads rather than the Interstates. The farm roads are very good quality two and four lane roads between all the farm towns and they have been remarkably light in traffic. Thus, we were quite alone on the road. As we drove on the wind and clouds increased and the sky ahead began to grow very dark. As the conditions grew more and more ominous, we switched on the radio. The RV has a regular AM/FM radio but it also has the band for the NOAA Weather Radio Network built in. As we listened to the usual temperature, humidity, etc., a different voice broke in with a special severe weather alert concerning dangerous thunder and lightning as well as large hail and 50 knot winds. Licia scanned our map atlas for the name of the county we were in to see if it was one of the ones where people were to seek shelter. We, of course already knew the answer, but were hoping it wasn’t the case. Then the rain started. It grew progressively stronger and by the time we were 10 miles from our destination we were actively looking for some place, even a private driveway in which to pull over. Suddenly we saw one of the small blue signs with a camping trailer silhouetted on it, indicating a campground was coming up.  Someone was looking out for us as the Lake Frances RV park’s entrance appeared.  We turned in and drove behind the first building we saw to get out of the direct path of the wind. As we rolled in , the owner, Mr. Robinson appeared. I asked if we could wait out the storm and he showed us a spot to pull in. The heavens then let loose and we spent an hour eating our lunch amidst the crashing thunder and pelting rain. (See the photo) Fortunately no hail ever appeared, the RV got a free car wash, and we rolled into Fort Scott after our one hour rain delay.

Licia writes;

Hi all,

Fort Scott Ambulance

Fort Scott

Hospital

Our visit to Fort Scott was the last of the western history spots to see.  This fort was not what I would call a fort rather it was a compound of buildings built around a center parade ground.  It reminded me of the Fort Devens layout in Ayer, MA before it was closed down.  Fort Scott was designed as a peace-keeping fort to help with Indian and settlers relations.  It was a cavalry unit so one whole end of the compound was a huge horse barn.  The buildings were two-story with wide staircases and verandas.  They are the original buildings that are being restored with period exhibits.  The fort was active in the war with Mexico and again in the Civil War.  The main building housed the hospital in the upstairs and in one of the back buildings there was an ambulance used in the Civil War.  (I thought Jen would enjoy seeing the older ambulance!)  The officer’s quarters were quite luxurious although Laura and Geoff would have had to have all three children sleeping in a trundle bed next to theirs!

As we traveled the route of the Santa Fe Trail, we saw train after train after train.  The tracks follow the trail and are right next to the road.  Some of the trains stretched for two miles from front engines to the back engines.  It is easy to see how important the rail system was for the expansion west and is for the transportation of goods around the country today.  The map in the picture was taken at Fort Scott, the old A. T. and Santa Fe engine was at the Boot Hill Museum in Dodge City, and the newer cars were passing us as we traveled on our way.  Maybe our next bucket list trip should be a train ride across country!

Modern Santa Fe car.

Tomorrow we finish the Laura Ingalls Wilder stops and then off to Memphis and Elvis.