Trip to Sedalia

Day 5: Last night was a quiet night. The day started a little earlier than normal, we needed to go to Flying J and dump before we march smartly on to Pratt KS.

Dumping first thing in the morning sure builds an appetite, we headed in to get, and enjoy breakfast before scurrying down the highway. You can scratch “scurry”. Within the first 2 miles out the gate, traffic was stopped for road construction on a two-lane highway. Kind of reminded me of the anticipation of moving through Los Angeles on I-5 during rush hour. Now that we made it through that, we can begin to enjoy our whirlwind drive through four states, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, stopping in Kansas. Another thing I noticed, the designer for 54 must have been left handed or missing one side of their brain, all the rest areas on my side of the highway, I always have to turn left into them.

The weather started out over cast and later sunny. Cross winds wreaked havoc from Dalhart TX to Pratt KS, but the rig handled very nicely. Route 54 was in pretty good condition for the most part, there was some other road construction/repairs going on, but it only slowed, not stopped. I will admit that there were a few areas in Texas and Kansas that were less that exciting … zzzzzzzz. If you wish to get off 54 from time to time there are sites to see, such as the Dalton Gang hide out. Carol was excited when she thought she saw some very large white sheep grazing together in the distance, as we got closer it became obvious they were … rolled hay bales (lol).Before we got to Haviland we saw what looked like huge yellow caterpillars, they were actually raw cotton rolled banded in yellow fabric.

           Other than the high from six hours of cross winds, there was a (only) gas station in Haviland KS., they were almost full service, pumping fuel and cleaning windshields. Finding the hook-ups was and adventure at the ELKS lodge. We drove around the lodge several times without finding the hook-ups. We spoke with a member who was not sure, so we decided to go to Walmart and shop. We returned and another rig showed up and together we figured out where the 30amp receptacles were. Total victory for Escapees, both of us are heading for Escapades. It appears tomorrows adventure is going to start in a different direction.

Day 6: The drive and weather were pretty good. We did have a couple of delays due to road work. We are adapting to what retired life can be, we chose to stay the night at the Blue Springs ELKS lodge and enjoy Taco Tuesday.

The biggest thrill on the drive this afternoon was seeing a train cutting through what seemed like five hundred million acres of corn, grass, and turned under fields. Unlike California, there was a lot of greenery. We arrived at the ELKS lodge in time for tacos. We hooked up in the first site, closest to the building so we didn’t have to walk far for food, drink, and entertainment. They are a two-story lodge built 12 years ago, and the members are a friendly lot willing to share their time with visitors.

Day 7: Final leg to Sedalia MO and the ESCAPADES rally. The ELKS were kind enough to wash our rig, well part of the rig before we left. They decided to do this while I was unhooking electrical, water, and raise the jacks. If you have not guessed, the sprinklers came on. After the first round of showers, I asked Carol to protect me with an umbrella so I could finish without further soaking. Before hitting the highway, we stopped at Walmart to pick-up some groceries and water. There was no problem with finding space parking (we were there around 8:00am). The Walmart in Blue Springs must be an exception, they didn’t have a low clearance metal arch to keep RVs out.

 The weather was sunny, warm/hot, and humid, I felt a better understanding for clams being steamed. We made it. Getting to the fairgrounds and parked went well. While setting up the RV I went from feeling like a steamed clam to a boiled lobster, I forgot how humid the mid-west can get. Alas, the RV is set up (50amps no less), and Carol has both ACs running on high to cool the RV.

Now let’s talk registration. What sounds easy, can seem a challenge to someone tired and sweaty. We needed to walk somewhere around 12 miles to get to the registration office (not really, just seemed that long), the reward was worth it … AIR CONDITIONING. You see, we needed to arrive early because we volunteered to be on staff this year with the ESCAPADES as part of the Customer Service team. The rest of the day was meetings, familiarization, and happy hour. For those not Escapee members, we are like a large Italian family, we love to socialize. Enough said, off to bed, tomorrow is showtime.

Finally on the Road

We decided early on that we would only drive about 300 miles a day. We mapped out a route that will takes us through Scottsdale AZ, Gallup NM, Tucumcari NM, Pratt KS, and finally Sedalia MO. We decided to stay at ELKS lodges until we reached Sedalia. We originally planned to leave on Friday, but changed our minds, and left Thursday.

Day 1: The journey began on a cooler than normal May morning for El Cajon California. Carol and I were excited to finally begin a trip that took us outside California. The drive east on highway 8 is a beautiful in the morning once past the Alpine area. The hills are strewn with boulders and rocks that take on different formations, and during one part of the of the drive the boulders have an assorted array of colors, predominately pink. Driving through the pass the elevation reaches 4,000 feet several times before descending onto the desert floor. Our first break was at the rest area near Seeley CA. We stopped one more time before we arrived at the ELKS lodge in Scottsdale.

The folks were very friendly, especially a gentleman named Sid, who informed us that it was STEAK night. Steak is Carols favorite carnivorous meals. One had the choice of either a Filet Mignon, Ribeye, or New York. For another $2 bucks each we added salads. We didn’t order dessert, but that was only $2 bucks per person. Our two Ribeyes and salad only cost us $40.00. Where can you do that elsewhere?

Day 2: We spent the day in Scottsdale just relaxing, and, waiting for the FISH FRY Friday night. We did some eatin’ drinking, and socializing. After the fun it was off to bed in preparation our drive to Gallup NM.

Day3: A lot of wind and hills today on the way to Gallup NM. Driving up 87 was a nice drive with fantastic scenery. Our first break was at a pull out, where we enjoyed our lunch and an opportunity to stretch. It was just amazing how the land changed how its looks almost 180 degrees, to see saguaro cactus on side of the hills, and Ponderosa pines on the other side.

We were adventurous and fueled up at the “big truck” pumps at TA before we arrived at the ELKS lodge. While pumping diesel I looked at the semi-truck next to me and thought… you’re not that big, you only have to worry about clearing 13’6”, I have to worry about 13’8” … made me feel big for a few seconds.

We arrived at the lodge, it was an experience. I wish GARMIN had an option for the “easiest route” to a location, not just “fastest route”. To get to this lodge you need to maneuver residential streets. One of the streets they thought it was necessary put in an island. I do love a challenge getting 35 feet of trailer and 22 feet of truck down streets designed for Mini Coopers and Volkswagens. The lodge itself has one (first come, first serve) hook up. (a 100-foot extension cord plugged into a receptacle). Oh, by the way, we were not the first person there this night, we experimented with boondocking, and ran our new portable generator for a couple of hours.

The people were friendly, but no food available. They did recommend a place that would deliver. We did meet a neat couple … that did beat us to the extension cord … they are Escapee members also. We were lucky enough to arrive the night they had a booked high school graduation dinner function. The dinner was not the problem, it was the kids in the pool yelling and screaming after midnight. Sleep did finally come to the Arctic Fox. Having left the rigged together it was a quick good bye/getaway, and off to Tucumcari NM.

Day 4: Great drive, some gusty winds and grades, no problems. Awesome seeing how one area is volcanic rock, another is sand stone, still another look prairie. Traveling I-40 from Gallup to Tucumcari was pretty smooth, there has been a lot of road work done. We stopped at Flying J for fuel. The diesel pumps for RVs here in Tucumcari are located away from the pumps with the overhang. At these pumps RVs can dump, for a fee.

We arrived at the ELKS lodge which has four 30 amp and four 50 amp pull through sites. There is no dump station. There is food within walking distance of the lodge if one chooses not to un-hook the truck or “toad”.