It was hard to leave lovely Lexington but it is time for us to keep on heading west.
Kentucky continued to be pretty, hilly and green as we headed south and west to a little town in southwestern Kentucky named Cadiz. Not sure why it was named Cadiz. Someone who was there when it was named must have been from Spain and named it after the port city there.
When we planned our trip into Lexington and the next stop was Olathe, Kansas we realized that a stop in Cadiz would be entirely possible.
We made a reservation online at Lake Barkley State Resort Park. I selected a spot that looked like it was in a good place. When we arrived there was a water leak and the site was underwater. OK, the attendant that had been there a week told us to take another spot. Walt found one that looked nice and level and she said that was fine. He backed in and parked. He started set up outside and I started inside. After a few minutes he called to me............"Do you have power?" No we don't. The attendant called maintenance and he came and said we would have to move. This site has not had power in months and it would be months before it would be fixed.
Finally we were settled into a pretty spot and fully hooked up. Why are we in Cadiz, KY?
To see Walt's friend from the Navy. We hadn't seen him since 1967. What a pleasure to talk about old memories and to catch up on what has been happening in our lives. Aren't they a handsome pair?
Ray and his gracious companion, Dumpy (short for Dumpling) were wonderful hosts showing us their southern hospitality with a grand tour of Cadiz and the rolling farmland surrounding it.
They took us to the Cadiz Cafe and we had in our estimation the best Kentucky fried chicken ever. The Colonel would be jealous.
Funny story about what a small world it is. While we were in the Great Smoky Mountains I was hiking around down by the creek and Walt stayed behind and got talking to a man and he told Walt he was from southwestern Kentucky. Walt asked him if he knew where Cadiz was. He said "Yes, that is where I am from." Then Walt asked if he know Ray. Of course he did (that is one of the special things about Cadiz..........everyone knows everyone.) and he brought Walt up to speed about Ray. : ) Showing that wonderful southern hospitality he offered to let us park our RV at his car lot. While we didn't take him up on that Dumpy and Ray took us by his farm and we said hello. These are two of his many horses. I think Cadiz is one of the friendliest places we have ever been. Plus it is one the route of 400 mile Yard Sale. We had a marvelous time visiting with old and new friends.
From Cadiz we headed somewhat north and mainly west toward Olathe, KS. We had newly acquired knowledge that the miles and miles of yellow headed crops were canola.
We whooshed through Illinois on to Missouri and a quick freeway view of St. Louis. Too fast and sun in the wrong direction to get a photo of the Arch. So I found one on the internet. It is amazing how it dominates the city horizon. It was built as a monument to westward expansion of the United States identifying St. Louis as the Gateway to the west. While I am working on my fear of heights and making some progress I know I could not go up in it. They say the tram cars you ride up and down swing like a ferris wheel ride. I am a little queasy just thinking about it.
We had a stopover in Columbia, MO. It is home to the University of Missouri............Mizzou.
The campus is on 1256 acres and it is maintained as a Botanical Garden. It really was pretty. William Least Heat-Moon, who wrote Blue Highways, graduated from there. I love how he writes.
We are amazed as we drive around the size of the lawns in this part of the country. Mowing lawns must be a full time job!
On through Kansas City, home of the 2015 World Champion baseball team.
After living in California and Arizona for so long this spring full of bulbs made me so delighted since they didn't grow in my yards in CA or AZ. Pleased to see them again in Kansas.
Happy to be in Olathe visiting Walt's brother Sam, his wife Maureen, and their family. They were great hosts. Treating us to yummy food and being tour guides for sights in the area. Nice to have time for the brothers to reminisce about old times and to get more acquainted with the new times in our lives.
A special treat for us was being able to attend the birthday party of one of their grandsons that allowed us to meet all of the children, their spouses, and the grandchildren. Sam and Maureen are fortunate to have all their children very close by. We had such a nice time visiting with their family. Looking forward to next time.
"You don't choose your family. They are God's gift to you, as you are to them."
Desmond Tutu