More Kansas

                                                SEE THE USA IN YOUR CHEVROLET!
      Today's Travel: Salina Kansas to Wentzville MO (outside St. Louis) 378 miles
     TRIP TOTAL= 4,649

     We were making good time, so I convinced Jesse to take a small side trip to try to find a sunflower farm advertised in the Kansas State brochure. We followed the directions to the letter, but did not find the farm. Jesse was good natured about this misadventure. This says a lot, because after 19 days together we could have been at each other's throats. Speaking of throats, mine was still recovering and it was time to buy some serious (but non-drowsy!) allergy medicine. Every field of hay was being mowed and the very dry conditions combined dust, hay and pollen for the perfect allergy storm.

                                          Typical Kansas.

                                          More Kansas.

                                          Kansas City, MO.

FUN FACT: We did not use GPS for the trip! I used my trusty AAA maps and then Mapquest to plan the trip for the next day. Looks like the map of Montana & Idaho here. This method has pros and cons. No pressure to reach a certain destination each day, but lack of certainty about accommodations. We did book ahead in South Dakota, Wyoming and Montana. In more populated states, we just looked for a Super 8 or budget motel near the Interstate. I did plan a general itinerary before we left and notified family members. Due to cell phones, it was easy to keep in touch.  TIP: AAA maps usually have 2 states, one on each side, so they are less detailed. Stop at the first Tourist Info Center when you enter a new state, and you can get a free map of the state that usually has enlargements of major towns and more detail.