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Borrego Springs, CA

Friday, May 2, 2014

It’s windy in Kansas, Toto

As I pulled out of the Riverside RV Resort (?) in Bartlesville, OK, this morning, my mind was saying Good-Bye to Bad Rubbish!  I’ll never stay there again.  I know that I haven’t found a private campground yet that can compare to my site on Tamarac NWR, but really, this one was the pits.  I was hoping for better as I made my way north into Kansas for tonight’s layover.

Before leaving, I checked several weather sites, and winds were supposed to be in the 10-15 mph range.  I can handle that.  Too bad that they were wrong.  As I entered Kansas, US 75 went from a pleasant four lane divided highway down to two lanes, and the wind kicked up a notch.  Of course, it was not a tail wind, so I just clamped on harder to the steering wheel.

It was a pretty good road, but by the time I got to Lyndon (just south of Topeka) the wind was really blowing.  I had thought of stopping to see the Little House on the Prairie in southern Kansas, but the only sign I saw said “You just missed the Little House on the Prairie.  Turn Around!”  Yeah, right… on a two lane road?  I don’t think so.  Maybe some other time.

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It was a relief to pull into the Crossroads RV Park just north of Lyndon.  This campground is more to my liking.  There was also easy access to a spot to fill my propane tank, so I got that accomplished too.  It was getting rather low, and I haven’t filled it since I was at Okefenokee over a year ago.

_MG_0067

The sites here are nicely spaced, full hook-ups, and level.  I had been assigned site #19 which is right next to that fiver on the right hand side of the photo.  I chatted with the man filling the propane, and learned that he and his son just purchased this campground last month.  As he pointed to the site I had been assigned, he also said I really could pick any sight.  So, I chose the one on the end of the row with a picnic table so I could sit outside with Emma.  I have never understood why campgrounds always pack everyone in next to each other when there are plenty of vacant sites.  I like some space, if possible, between me and my nearest neighbors.

In the afternoon, Emma and I walked all around the campground, and I enjoyed my first whiff of blooming lilacs!  I just love their fragrance.  As we walked around, I ran into the same man again, and told him how I enjoyed the lilacs.  Can you believe that while I sat outside with Emma this evening, the man’s wife brought me a little bouquet of lilacs?  How nice is that?  What a difference from the last place I stayed!

I also noticed that I’ve caught up with the migrating Baltimore orioles.  There must be a half a dozen of them singing their hearts out in the campground.  Spring is here!  I’ve decided to push on tomorrow, assuming the winds have calmed, and head for Nebraska.  I’ve got to take advantage of the lull in storms.

Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later,  Judy

31 comments:

  1. Hope you and Toto (Emma) don't get blown to Oz.

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  2. I love lilacs. My grandmother's yard was full of them and smelled so wonderful in the spring. We finally had a no wind day so hopefully the wind is on it's way further east for you.

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  3. The same thing happened to us....we passed the little house on the prairie!!! Nice park. Safe travels to you.

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  4. There is nothing like Lilacs to announce spring.....aaachooo!! Glad you got a chance to enjoy their fragrance. Safe travels!

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  5. Ah lilacs. Traveling this time of year down here in TX, I've not seen any. I would say those people who just bought this park will do just fine.

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  6. I didn't know about Little House on the Prairie but Joe and I stayed here back in 2008. So full of history http://www.ingallshomestead.com/index.html

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  7. Glad the campground you are in is much better than the last one. How nice to get a bouquet of Lilacs...enjoy them. Safe travels Judy.

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  8. Had Orioles visiting at dinner tonight.

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  9. Welcome to Kansas!! Some of us actually live here..... LOL

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  10. I haven't seen or smelled lilacs in years, but I remember they are delightful. I also remember my mom telling me that possible because of location and weather, they didn't necessarily boom eery year. So glad you had a good place to stay after the bad one.

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  11. Betty,
    We visited there also. Toured the homestead and the replica sodhouse. The best part was in DeSmet where we toured the schoolhouse and Pa and Ma's house that was built after Laura married.
    But I think the best Laura Ingalls Wilder site is in Burr Oak, Iowa. It's the only one of the houses where Laura actually lived as a child and, curiously, the only one that does not appear in one of the original books. It's worth a trip - it's near Decorah, Iowa, over near Wisconsin.

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  12. Oh I love the smell of lilacs. How much nicer this campground sounds than your last one. Sorry you missed the Little House. Hope your trip tomorrow is smooth sailing.

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  13. I'm kinda leery of places that use the word "resort." Some of them are like the one you describe, crowded and with little redeeming value. I'm also with you on why owners/managers insist on piling RV's on top of each other when there are plenty of sites available. We like being off by ourselves, and will often ask if we can choose our site. Works, too, most of the time.

    Woo-hoo, all systems are go for Tamarack!

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  14. We had a whole huge hedge of lilac bushes when I was growing up so lots of fragrance while they were blooming.....not long enough though.

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  15. Lilacs are starting to bloom here, too. I missed them during the years we lived in southern California. Happy and safe travels to you, Judy.

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  16. Lilacs, easy access to propane, nice neighbors, an easy space to pull in to and room for Emma to be outside
    Sounds like a winner to me. Safe travelin' tomorrow.

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  17. The campground looks nice except for those rocks. Those are the kind that sneak up on you if you're not careful.

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  18. Nice spot....I too have wondered why there are tons of empty spaces in a campground, and yet there are several RVs all lined up together. Very thoughtful of the MRS to bring you lilacs.

    Safe travels tomorrow!

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  19. Glad you got a nice spot in Kansas-hope the winds calm for the rest of your travels.

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  20. Looks like a great spot.

    Don't you just love the smell of blooming lilacs!

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  21. Lilacs have always been my favorite flower and am hoping they bloom here in Maine. Hope you get that tail wind and no more of those strong side swippers, safe travels!

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  22. Lilacs.. How nice.

    I use the free Weatherbug App on my phone. It will follow you wherever you go and give you weather alerts if a storm is approaching. You can also enter any other cities, then check the daily or on the hourly reports that show wind speeds, precip and much more. It's kind of handy, but as with all things weather, not always 100% accurate. Might be worth a try though.

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  23. Lilacs--what a nice personal touch! Those folks will be very successful in their business. Safe travels!

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  24. Safe travels to Nebraska. Looked to be a nice RV Park you stayed at last night.

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  25. We had two lilac bushes in the yard at our house, they are one of the few things I miss about that house.

    Nice that you've been able to easily fill your propane tank, I try to use Flying J's and get all kinds of weird and dirty looks as I drive around to enter the RV lanes backwards.

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  26. I've never lived where lilacs lived, so have never got to enjoy their fragrance! So glad you're headed to less windy areas!

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  27. I must put Oranges on my grocery list! I have my grape jellyb all set for those Orioles when they get here. I like Lilacs too, but it will be weeks before they bloom up here. Went through the refuge today..so you can get a sneak peak tomorrow. There was some snow back in the woods..but I didn't take a photo:(

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  28. Looking forward to your posts from NW Minnesota, the only area of the Gopher State I'm not very familiar with....:)

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  29. We had an Oriole here today on our suet feeder. They never seem to stay, but at least the fact they are passing through means Spring is FINALLY here!

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  30. Hang onto your hat, it looks like there may be more wins coming!

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  31. Looks like a nice park, made a note for future travels.

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