We have stopped overnight at the AOK
Campground in St. Joseph, MO. Is is a converted KOA which seems
common after that franchise folded some years ago. Nice folks run
the place and we have a drive through with power and waste but no
water. Not a problem as we unhitched to find a place for supper and
bought 5 gallons of water. We have a bathroom with shower in the
unit but have chosen to use the campground facilities. The ladies
side is under construction so it is a shared situation with the men
until their remodeling is finished. It is cute to see an old fella
or gal “guarding the door” when their loved one does business.
It took me the better part of 45 minutes to hitch up the Cabin last night. With some very good suggestions to Curt and G I had it down to about 12 minutes this evening. With a little planning tomorrow we won't have to unhitch in Lamar.
We started today's journey in a intermittent rain and finished in broad sun with near 90 degree weather. The trip was uneventful with Old Blue performing well even though very thirsty. Old Blue regularly pulls 16mpg empty however with this loan it averaging 8 mpg. Experienced folks tell me to settle down as this is pretty much normal. Still, if this is “normal” what is the expectation for Saturday. We cross three passes and with a 25 gallon tank I am starting to wonder if it will make it the 75 miles from Walsenburg, Co to Alamosa.
We met a nice couple from Union
Missouri. They were on there way home from visiting several museums
in the west. They have a 17 year background in volunteer work with
the National Park System and are now winding down. I found that
surprising as the elder of the two is only 69 years old.
G is doing well, she didn't drive today
due to the wet roads and heavy winds following.
Tomorrow we plan on leaving at 7:00am
for a 550+ mile drive across Kansas and on into Colorado for an
overnight stop in Lamar. We stop every hour or so to stretch our
legs and we use the stops to top out the gas tank. This all works
until we get to Colorado where the distances spread to 75 to 125
miles between fuel stops.
Have a nice evening I will write
tomorrow night.
