On through the panhandle of Oklahoma to Kansas, one of my favorite states. I passed by Meade and Meade State Park where I often stay and went on to Hwy. 160. I followed it over hills and hills. Kept on following it across lower Kansas. The state map I got in 2007 shows the geology of the state!!!! So I made note of the eight different geologic areas I drove through. Stopped in the town of Coldwater for pie. There was a neat local diner type place. It was lunchtime so the place was hopping. I chose the banana caramel pie and coffee.

It seemed so good at first. But it was all nicely flavored but too much whipped topping, and the banana cream part had a strong imitation, chemical banana taste. Pretty awfull all in all. The coffee was weak too.

Kept on going across lower Kansas, past the 100^th meridian, things started to green up, trees, the grasses the cows were eating were green not dried tan.

On past Independence KS, decided it was too late for me to stop at the Laura Ingalls Wilder home there again. Headed NE to Crawford Lake State Park, this is where Robin and I stayed on our Big Trip in 1971!. It was just like I remembered it, with 10’ stone cliffs leading down to the lake. As I was checking out the various spots I saw a rowdy bunch with lights and music loudly greeting their latest comer. Sneered at them for loud and crass. I went of on set up in a similar spot as I had in ’71. I started cranking up the roof and there was a loud crack and the front left corner of the roof collapsed!!!! The lifting post had broken. I said to the young man setting up across from me “My camper just broke!!!!” Next thing I knew he was coming over to help. He pushed the roof up while I put in a support. He went back to his camper and got another thing to put in to be double sure it wouldn’t collapse on me. Wouldn’t you know, he was the one the rowdy party was greeting! He was living in Italy, his wife was stationed there. He was here to bring the grandkids to see their grandparents. His mother and all his wife’s family were gathered here,