7. Kansas, Missouri, Alabama, Florida

Day 28: Friday, August 8

My great hosts, Marge and Mark had urged me last night to be sure to visit the Garden of the Gods. According to National Geographics, this is a "tranquil pocket of scrub oak, pinyon pine, and juniper studded with slender towers of smooth salmon-colored stone. It's at it best shortly after sunrise, when the reddish rock glows and tangy, pine-scented air sifts through the hollows."

Well. the sun was hiding behind clouds and didn't make the rocks glow, and the air smelled more of smog than pine. But the drive itself is quite nice. I couldn't help but think that this probably was where the gods practiced before they created Utah.

I got punished for that kind of thinking, I guess, because for the next 7 hours I had to drive 450 miles on US 24 and I-70 through the praries of eastern Colorado and Kansas. Yawn!

Called it a day when I hit Abilene, Kansas. Got a $20 site (full hook-ups, including cable TV) at the Covered Wagon RV Resort. Bought gasoline in Abilene at $1.549/gal and averaged 14.9 on yesterday's tankful.

Day 29: Saturday, August 9

The Covered Wagon RV Resort turned out to be precisely the kind of overnight stop that I like. All hook-up conveniences, a very quiet environment for a good night's sleep, and a bathhouse where water conservation was not on the owner's mind. Consequently, I slept late, had a great shower, and didn't hit the road until 10:30 AM.

I-70 through this part of the country is indeed a special punishment for those who have enjoyed the beautiful scenery of the Rockies and the West Coast. 280 miles of uninterrupted boredom until I hit Columbia, MO. Picked up US 63 for the long drive to Licking, MO. Along the way crossed over the Missouri and Osage rivers, visited Jefferson City (depressingly gray state capitol building) and drove through mini-German towns like Westphalia, Freeburg, and Vienna.

US 63 is at times a fairly busy highway, at times a fairly scenic road. The Ozarks make for rollercoaster-type roads, especially regarding the narrow state highways that I took from Licking to Summerville and then US 60.

US 60 eastbound brought me to Van Buren and the Big Spring State Park. The campground is part of the Ozarks National Waterways (or whatever it's called) that is run by the National Park Service. Consequently, the fees are modest, the facilities are rather primitive, and the sites are too close together. The State Park aspect runs an attractive looking lodge, golf course, and other recreational facilities.

Did a lot of driving today, 500 miles. Was on the road for 7 1/2 hours. Bought gasoline in Licking, MO for $1.459/gal. Averaged 14.7 mpg on the last tank.

Day 30: Sunday, August 10

A quiet night with a comfortable temperature of 70F. Slept late and consequently didn't get going until 10:00 AM.

Took US 60 to Poplar Bluff. The road is quite enjoyable, rollercoasting through the Ozarks. Nothing special about Poplar Bluff. Took state and back roads to such memorable places as Clarkton, Gideon, and Portageville. Took I-55 to I-155, which took me across the Mississippi river to Dyersburg, TN. Crossing The River westbound always makes me feel that my adventure has started, crossing it eastbound makes me feel that my trip is coming to an end.

Took US 412 to Jackson and Lexington, then SR 22 to Milledgeville, SR 69 to Grump, Savannah, and the Alabama border, and then Alabama SR 20 to Florence, my intended stay for the night.

However, since it was only 4 PM, and since the temperature was 89F I decided to keep moving for another couple of hours. Took US 72 to Decatur and I-65 to Cullman, AL.

Found the Cullman Campground, a nice quiet place where $12 bought me a pull-through site with water, electricity, picnic table.

Drove 390 miles, was on the road for 8 1/4 hours, bought gasoline for $1.479/gal, and averaged 15.3 mpg on the last tank.

Day 31: Monday, August 11

A quiet night with a comfortable temperature of 70F. Slept well until about 7 AM, then enjoyed a long shower in the comfortable bathhouse. Was on the road by 9:00 AM.

My plan for today was to cross northern Alabama and gradually work my way from northwestern Georgia to I-75 and the connection with Florida. I didn't expect significant scenic beauty, and didn't get it. But I did get to drive many miles on backroads and highways that were practically deserted. Definitely worthwhile.

Specifically: Took US 278 from Cullman, AL to Gadsden, and then US 411 and SR 100 to Cedartown, GA; US 27 south to Brement and Franklin; SRs 54 and 100 to Greenville (beautiful little townsquare) and US 27A to Warm Springs and Manchester. SR 41 took me to Buena Vista via Talbotton and Geneva; SR 30 to Americus, and US 280 to Leslie and Cordele. From there it was I-75 to the Florida border and Jennings, FL. Got a $20.95 site at the Jennings Outdoor Resort Campground -- level and full hook-ups.

For dinner I emptied the fridge of accumulated snacks and yummies, that's what I usually do on the last night away from home. Watched TV for a while and was ready for bed by 9:20 PM.

Drove 420 miles today, was on the road for 7 3/4 hours, bought gasoline for $1.399/gal in Georgia. Averaged 16.6 mpg on the last tank.

Day 32: Tuesday, August 12

Well, all good things have to come to an end eventually, they say. And so does this journey.

After 4 1/2 weeks on the road I am eager to get home to wife, poodles, and a "normal" life. But there also is an element of sadness -- it's been a fantastic adventure. Unforgettables include: Great scenic beauty in New Mexico, Arizona, California, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Utah, and Colorado; the fabulous drive on the Beartooth Highway; the GTRV rally; the visit with Mark and Tara in Oregon; the comfortable evening with Marge and Mark in Colorado; the looong drive through Kansas and western Missouri; the quiet charm of the Ozarks in Missouri; the incredible heat of 127F in Indio and the return to humidity east of Kansas; the life-endangering negligence of the Hangtown Chevron Express Lube place in Placerville, CA and of the Ford dealer in Grass Valley, CA; the helpfulness and competence of Advantage Automotive on Colfax Highway in Grass Valley, CA; 31 days without significant rainfall.

The last day on the road was uneventful. 6 hours of smooth driving on the interstate and the Florida Turnpike, followed by 1 1/2 hours of stop-and-go (mostly stop) between the Fort Lauderdale and Miami exits. Covered 425 miles, was on the road for 7 1/2 hours, and bought gasoline on the turnpike at $1.759/gal.

* * * * *

This trip took 31 days and covered 10,111 miles. Spent nights in 26 different campgrounds for a total cost of $475. Consumed 680 gal of gasoline at a cost of $1,100. Had the oil changed twice, did not need additional oil in between. Bought four new tires for $510 and new front brakes for $712.

I hope you have enjoyed this journal and your virtual trip with me. Why not send an e-mail and I'll be happy to let you know whenever a new or modified journal (section) has been uploaded. Just make sure that I always have a valid e-mail address for you.

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