Well, it was all downhill after Denver – literally. At one point I was over 11,000 ft. Denver itself was about 5,300 ft where I was. Now, in Columbia, MO I’m just a few hundred feet above sea level. And apparently I’m close to that sea – it’s 1000% humidity here. It’s the kind that makes it hard to breathe. On the local farm report, Farmer Joe lost 30-something head of cattle to the heat. He’s watering the ground to cool things off and help them breathe. Whew! I’d hate to see those cows turned into beef prematurely.

So, to sum up Kansas:

Straight ahead
To the side
And even behind
There were a few picturesque things to look at, I suppose.
Ha! Man, I could go for a cool, refreshing Snoko..mo right about now.

Nice work there, Chet.

So I made a stop in Hays, Kansas. I went to Taco Bell because I like that new crunchwrap supreme. So after watching the cashier Damon flirt with the customer in front of me, I knew a few things: 1) she graduated from high school 4 years ago 2) he “finished school” 10 years ago – his graduation status is in question and 3) he has already been fired from that Taco Bell but was subsequently rehired. So I ordered my spicy chicken crunchwrap supreme…

(Cash register displays $4.46)
Damon: That’ll be 4,000 cents.
My mind: $40.00?
Damon: If you don’t have it, you can just wash dishes here (pointing to the kitchen).
My mind: He must be referring to the pans and stuff.
Damon: And you’ll be here for a long time, too. Like 35 years.
Me: That’s a long time for dishes.
Damon: Yeah, well we have enough dishes here for half of America.
My mind: Is this guy for real? Or am I about to be served my Taco Bell on a real plate?
Damon: It’s basically like a life sentence washing dishes here. Or we could just make you manager and then you’d have to do all the work.
My mind: He’s the real deal.
No, this isn’t the picture from earlier. Don’t be so ignorant! Not every highway in Kansas looks the same. It just so happens that this was part of the first interstate highway in America, circa 1956.
Here’s a quick look at Kansas City, KS. Or maybe it was KCMO.

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