Roadside America

Yesterday was a travel day only.  We left the Cabela's campground in Sidney, NE and headed east and south.  As the day wore on, we began to see some darkening clouds to the south. Looking at the radar a major storm was brewing moving across our route of travel.  We managed to keep just a head of it. We turned south on route 183 and landed in a ACOE campground near Alma, NE.  We had no sooner set up near the lake and set our chairs out, than the rain began. It continued most of the night.  We had some small hail and lots of rain.  Nearest lighting seemed to be several miles away.  By morning, we had gotten five plus inches of rain according to our host.  All in all, pretty lucky.

Today, we left Alma and headed south.  While we moved along, Anneke got bored  driving thru Kansas and checked the RoadsideAmerica website  just in time to stop in Cawker City, KS.  Here we found the largest ball of sisal twine in the world.  As luck would have it, the lady who maintains and adds to the ball was onsite.  She invited us to help add more twine to the ball.  We were glad to lend a hand.

The old gas station can be rented for an overnight stay.

Heading further south, we stopped at the RollingHills Zoo in Salina, KS.  The park is committed to helping endangered species from around the world.  We were going to walk the 1.5 mile trail around the zoo.  After a short way on the trail in 100 degrees, we decided maybe the tram would be a good idea.  The tram ride was informative, but most of the animals that were able too, were hiding in the shade.

Attached to the zoo is a museum in the form of a diorama of  animals from around the world.  Since it was well done and had AC, we actually enjoyed this more than the zoo.

We are stopped for the night in a no shade campground along the freeway in McPherson, KS.  Still around 100 degrees.