MISSOURI, KANSAS CITY

We begin the search for a mechanic and end up at Midway Ford.  They are replacing the catalytic converter ($$$) and exhaust gaskets while we hole up in a Red Roof Inn.  The remnants of hurricane Issac come through while we wait.

KANSAS, WICHITA

We head into Wichita where we visit my birthplace.  It's now a KFC.  In the back I find a tree I used to climb as a kid.

We go to White Chapel Memorial Garden Cemetery where I am lucky enough to liquidate four plots.

We get on the turnpike to Kansas City.  I start having motor trouble so we stop at an RV park in Kansas City, Missouri.

Mitch standing beside the Cottonwood tree he climbed
as a young boy.

Gloss Mountain

Roadside memorial.

OKLAHOMA, GAGE

After a last morning swim we head east across what was the Cherokee strip.  Every river is void of water.  The temperature hits 100 so we take a slot in a brand new RV campground built to accommodate the oil drillers.

Sunrise at Gage Lake

Gage Lake

Baby hawk in nest at Gage Lake

OKLAHOMA, GAGE

We schedule a fellow to do the work on the farm and consider our business here complete.  We then visit the Gage Cemetery to pay our respects to the Mitchell and Peer family, relatives of mine.

We stop at the windmill museum and admire the Mitchell name on the pioneer wall.  We return to Gage and have a hamburger at Charlie's Bar and Grill.  We stay at the Gage Beach for another night.  Right at dusk we hear a group of coyotes howl a short distance away.

Tom and Gloria Peer

Shattuck Wind Mill Museum

Mitchell  family names on the wall honoring
pioneers.

Dad

OKLAHOMA, GAGE

We head due south into Oklahoma and then straight to the Mitchell home place.  We survey the cattle on the place and I finally get to meet the rancher who leases this place.

We go two miles north to the other Mitchell farm.  I decide to walk the boundary (160 acres) but only make it half way.  Peggy rescues me at the gas well with her bicycle.  We now see what has to be done to comply for another CRP contract.

We ride into Gage, my hometown, and notice that the only business still open is a bank and a bar.  We stay at the Gage beach, a 5 acre artesian lake.  We listen to a train come through about every 15 minutes.

Cattle on the Mitchell home place.

Main Street, Gage, Oklahoma

KANSAS, DODGE CITY

We cruise into Dodge City and stay at the Gunsmoke RV Park.

WYOMING, CASPER TO DENVER, COLORADO

At Casper we begin to follow the N. Platte River.  Unfortunately Wyoming doesn't have river access points like Montana.  We stay the night in a Denver campground.  We breakfast at the local McDonald's and weren't the only ones!

Yum, french fries.

Which one of you took my order?

2 Quarter Pounders with cheese and please super size this order.