Up early, as were Keith and Denise. We did not eat breakfast there because of prior plans to meet Barbara and Megan Younger at a designated IHOP in Kansas City, MO.

Fond farewells at 5:45 am. We were invited back for another overnight stay next year That might be possible, as we would be driving home from Louisville on the I-70 once again.

Stopped in Tipton MO which is about 1/2 hour towards KC. I had stopped there three years ago, headed East, with Sandy Roy. There is a Dutch Bakery/Bulk Food Store there, run by Mennonites I think. Their prices and selection is awesome! They carry a great brand of Handmade Soap called Edna Lucille. I bought a number of bars of different fragrances: Ocean, Hawaiian White Ginger, Southern Magnolia, and Sun Ripened Raspberry. I had been looking forward to stopping there for three years!

We drove into the greater Kansas City area on US Hwy 50, the same Hwy 50 that runs from Ocean City MD to Sacramento CA, and passes through Grand Junction just 1/2 mile South of our home.

It took 3 1/2 hours to get to our destination IHOP in Kansas City. Arrived about 15 minutes later than we had wanted to, Megan came out to greet us. Megan is a young woman whom I have known for about 14 years. Her mother died from HD. Barbara is Megan's paternal grandmother, and a loyal supporter from the very infancy of "Bike for the Cure." We were so pleased to meet Megan's brother Nathan, about whom we had heard a lot but never got to meet. It has been a ritual to stop at this particular IHOP since 2008. Every time the Convention has been on the East Coast we stop there. Got to visit for about 1 1/2 hours before the road beckoned. We have planned to make it to Limon CO so about 500 miles to go across the entire state of Kansas.

Contrary to popular belief, Kansas is not "flat." The I-70 crosses the entire state of Kansas in the northern half of the state. It carries travelers through the Flint Hills (Eastern Kansas), the Smoky Hills (North Central Kansas) and the "flats" of Western Kansas. My favorite part of the drive is spotting the native limestone fence posts called "Post Rocks" which are visible in North Central Kansas. Early settlers solved their fencing problems on treeless plains by quarrying rock to use as posts. Once cut and shaped, they become hardened and weather resistant after prolonged exposure to the air. I would love to have a Post Rock sandblasted with our last name to have at the end of our driveway. Perhaps some year ....

Stopped for lunch in Russell KS (hometown of Bob Dole and Allen Specter, former US senators). Denise had suggested that we make an egg salad mixture to make sandwiches. She even sent it in an old Tupperware square round that she didn't need any more. Boy, did that sandwich taste good, with lettuce too! Thanks, Denise!

Passed through Oakley and then Colby, and then Central Time ended before Goodland, so we "gained" an hour. Crossed into the Eastern Plains of Colorado, passing through Burlington, Stratton, Flagler, Arriba, and finally got to Limon. Had to laugh, because Sherri's GPS called it "Lee MOAN" as opposed to "LIE mun." Found the motel where we had made an on-line reservation. It was just a local motel. $50/night. Out of the 50's but it was OK. Ate hamburgers for dinner at a local diner before returning to the motel.

Long day, again three states (Missouri, Kansas, and Colorado). Covered 708 miles today. So glad to be back in "Colorful Colorado" again, with just a half day's drive ahead of us tomorrow.

With love from the road, on the Eastern Plains of Colorado,
Marie

Just about 400 miles to go now.