This morning we headed out toward Liberal, KS, where we planned on spending the night with our dear friend Kyle. Our route took us through Clayton, NM, considered to be the most haunted town in the state. Fortunately, we didn’t see or hear any ghosts as we passed through. Crossing the panhandle of Oklahoma, we went through Boise City, OK, the only American city to be bombed during WW II. The story goes that shortly after midnight on July 5, 1943, the city was mistakenly bombed by the crew of a friendly B-17 Flying Fortress. It’s a miracle more American cities weren’t bombed as our young pilots learned their way around the war machines they were required to learn to fly in an incredibly short time before they went into live combat.
Oklahoma into Kansas is part of the Great Plains, characterized by the flat land, dust and high winds.
Windmills, grain silos, natural gas and oil pumps, and irrigation equipment dotted the landscape.
We traveled on backroads and drove for miles without seeing any vehicles other than big green John Deere tractors. Following directions given by our GPS proved to be somewhat of a challenge when the road signs were about 6 inches in size with only a letter of the alphabet and hidden behind trees at an intersection. For example, on the first dirt road we were directed to, we were to look for D Blvd and turn left to get to Liberal, KS. We drove and drove and finally the GPS was starting to get aggravated with the driver (Bill) who wouldn’t turn. She kept saying “make a u-turn,” “make a u-turn,” “make a u-turn.” Finally, we turned around and went back about a mile to find a little green sign marked “D” hidden behind a tree.
Though these little mis-directions can be frustrating, we both felt very familiar and comfortable with where we were. Perhaps we were both feeling our Oklahoma roots!
We arrived at Kyle’s house in Liberal, KS, in the mid-afternoon….
….and enjoyed a delicious steak dinner at the Liberal Country Club. After dinner we attended a town meeting for Seward County Community College. Kyle is the Director of Development and Director of the College’s Foundation. The President of the college had called this town meeting to update the citizens of the community on what the college was doing and what the college had planned for the coming year and beyond. It was interesting to hear reports from several college department chairmen and chairwomen. The comments and questions from the members of the community showed just how interested the community is in what goes on within their community.
You’ve got to love living in America!!
50-in-50 Challenge 