WaKeeney In The Great Plains

West to WaKeeney

Breakfast in-room works well for the second day running. When I’m ready to leave I text the valet as I was instructed to do at drop-off, to get my car ready. Downstairs, I check he got the message – he did – before I check out. My car is waiting for me. Thankfully as it was two days ago. I need gas and Mr Google helpfully directs me to a station nearby.

Welcome to Kansas

Filled up, I load Maps and set off for WaKeeney out in the middle of the Great Plains. It’s actually in the High Plains region of the Great Plains. There’s not a lot to report other than I cross into Kansas whilst still in Kansas City, and that the first part of I-70 W is the Kansas Turnpike, a toll road. I am sure this was not flagged as such by Maps. It’s a number plate recognition system so I’ll need to work out how to pay later.

What can I say? It’s a boring Interstate. I see arable farming to either side, a few homesteads here and there but other than that – nothing. Except… the vista on either side of the road is enlivened every now and again by 100s of nodding donkeys, or pumpjacks, extracting crude oil from the ground. Well it’s something to look at and better than nothing I suppose.

I-70 W near Topeka, KS

I do hate Interstates but had to use them for the first week. Endure them for the end goal. I did consider starting the trip at tomorrow’s destination, Denver. That however would have resulted in only a 15 day road trip, which I considered too short. Looking east, I noted a couple of cities I hadn’t visited and two I had but which I was happy to revisit. Adding these on created a three week trip, albeit requiring the use of Interstates to get me from place to place quick enough.

For today’s drive there was some greenery in the form of trees road-side after leaving Kansas City when it was cloudy and 90º F / 32º C at noon. Further out into the Mid-West the trees cleared and it was just flat farming fields or scrubland. The skies cleared in the afternoon but it’s a surprisingly cool 86º F / 30º C.

Prairie Rose Inn and Some Inclement Weather

I-70 W near Wilson, KS

I arrive in WaKeenry around 5 pm and soon find the Prairie Rose Inn just off the Interstate exit. It’s a quirky old-style motel with a bar and restaurant, so I’ll be staying in tonight. WaKeeney is a very small town and I only found one other bar in it. The bedroom is unique in style but seems clean and is functional rather than plush. No USB ports or tissues however, nor anywhere to hang a towel by the basin, so a bit basic.

At 7.30 pm I head to the bar for dinner. I had hardly sat down when a thunderclap announces itself overhead swiftly followed by the mother of all storms: hail, thunder, lightning and a downpour rain like I’ve never seen before. According to the few locals in the bar, this is nothing. Seemed pretty extreme to me! There’s a short video of the storm on YouTube here.

Video

It doesn’t last for long though. The water does encroach into the bar a little, so the bar staff have a bit of mopping up to do first. After that, Neeva behind the bar is soon sorting me out with beer and food. The Reuben sandwich is way too greasy unfortunately and too much sauerkraut, but is despite that, somehow extremely tasty. The beer, an Oktoberfest from a local brewery is good.

The bar gradually empties, not that is was that full anyway. At 9 pm closing time Neeva and Skylar let me sit in a corner out of their way whilst they tidy and close up, as I watch the Falcons and Vikings fail to score any touchdowns in the first three quarters.

The TV had some streaming app installed rather than proper TV channels. Back in my room, I wanted to watch the end of SNF but I couldn’t get the app to work. Looking back now however, I’m not sure why I wanted to watch it because I recall it being a pretty dire game. But can’t anyway, so I do a bit of diary then it’s lights out.