Oregon, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, etc

[pdedse]

Day 8: Springfield, MO to Topeka, KS: 299 miles

I began this leg of the trip more happy than the previous day because I knew the distance was shorter, the day slightly cooler, still winds blowing from the west, but I would be heading north a good deal as well as west. 300 miles meant more time to stop for photos. Little by little the topography was changing from Ozark to Kansas, if you know the area, you know what I mean, but in short...few trees and less hills, but for me no less interesting nor beautiful--and I mean that about Kansas.


I took 44 west out of Springfield after breakfast with brother, and then 96 to get away from the truck traffic. Saw some mid morning deer who obviously weren't respecting their limits to early morning and late evening hours. At Avila, it was 37 north to 160 and then west towards the KS border. I could smell it before I saw it--and I mean that as well, in a good way.


I was "back home", but still several hours from Topeka where I was born and where I still had two brothers to visit.