Retired and Trippin

 One day, while browsing through Facebook, I came upon this "Guide to Things to do in Topeka, KS" . So today, Chris and I decided to check a few of these sites out for ourselves. In the past I've been told that folks have trouble accessing my Google photos when clicking on the link at the end of the blog. As a result, I will start posting more of my photos in this blog. Chris and I both had a late breakfast (brunch?) so we didn't leave home until after 11:00AM. We took the back roads (32 west from Bonner Springs to Lawrence; 24 west to Topeka). While waiting for a train we noticed it was 64 degrees outside so we put the top down for our exploration of Topeka. Our first stop was the Great Overland Station, an old Union Pacific train depot at 701 N Kansas Avenue. In front were U.S. flags, one for each state. Next on our tour was the Belshe Fire Hydrant Garden located at 720 SW 5th Street. As you can see in the photos, this is a private residence. The article said the co...

At 7:30AM we drove away from Russellville, AR on a cold 25 degree morning. At least the sun was coming up. Our route was 7 north to Harrison; 65 north to Springfield, MO; I-44 west; 13 north to Clinton; 7 north to Harrisonville; I-49 north; I-435 west to Kansas in the KC area and home. Hwy 7 in Arkansas is a scenic route with hills and curves galore. We stopped several times for photos. On the south side of Bolivar, MO we enjoyed lunch at Smith's Restaurant. It was 39 degrees when we arrived home at 2:20 but we saw a high of 44. It was a good day for our final of the trip. We drove 330 miles today and the total trip mileage was 3,109. I only have 6 photos today but you can click here to see them -  Final Day Pics

At 8:00AM it was sunny and 21 degrees as we drove away from our hotel in Vicksburg, MS. Our route today was I-20 west over the Mississippi River into Louisiana to the first exit (186); 80 west to Tallulah, LA; 65 north into Arkansas to Gould; 114 west and back roads (directed by Google Maps) to Cane Creek State Park; back roads (directed by gps) to Star City, AR; 212 west; 530 north to Pine Bluff; I-530 north to Little Rock; I-40 west to Russellville, AR, where we stopped for the day. (I-20 bridge from Mississippi to Louisiana) We stopped along Hwy 80 because Chris saw some red berries and red leaves that she wanted pictures of. As we approached Tallulah, LA Google Maps directed us north and west on a local road to bypass the town and supposedly save a couple minutes. The road turned into gravel so we turned around and went back. As we approached the gravel we saw this dump site. All the trash around the "NO DUMPING" sign was amusing to us. In Tallulah we saw a cool looking c...

It got cold last night. Way to cold for Montgomery, AL. When we woke up this morning it was 32 degrees.  It climbed to 34 when we left our hotel. As we proceeded down the highway the temperature actually dropped and our high today was 37. I always thought it was warm in the south. The route for today was I-65 south to exit 158; 26 west to Hayneville; 21 west (or south?); 28 west to Camden; 10 west into Mississippi where it became 19 west; I-20 west at Meridian to exit 77; 13 north to Roosevelt State Park; I-20 west to Vicksburg, MS, where we stopped for the day. In Hayneville, AL there was a big white courthouse called the John "Big John" Williams Courthouse. Sounds like a southern name.  Camden, AL had a very colorful, informative and picturesque water tower. On this trip we've seen lots of log hauling trucks, especially in north Florida. On our route through Alabama today they were especially thick. Chili's was our lunch spot today in Meridian, MS before hammering w...

We got a late start today because we wanted to take advantage of the B&B breakfast. It was worth it. Yesterday afternoon, while driving around Cedar Key for a few miles we had the top down on our convertible. Today we started with it down at 9:30AM. It was sunny and 58 degrees, soon to rise into the 60's and eventually to 70.  Our route today was 24 north and east away from Cedar Key; 345 north; 98 north and west to near Wakula, FL; 20 west to Bountstown, FL; 71 north; I-10 west to exit 130; 231 north to the area of Montgomery, AL. Along the way we stopped at a park where the highway (98) crosses the Suwannee River at Fanning Springs, FL. We were really enjoying the top-down driving but at Wakula, FL the temperature had dropped to 64 and it was cloudy making it a bit cool so we stopped to put the top up. Good thing, because a short time later it started to rain. It was raining steady when we stopped for lunch at Lindy's Fried Chicken in Blountstown, FL around 12:30 (back in...

A beautiful, sunny and warm day! After our B&B breakfast we rode away on our golf cart at 9:45 AM. It was 51 degrees. We spent an hour or so exploring Cedar Key again and Chris did a little shopping on Dock Street. Morning is low tide. It was strange seeing boats sitting in the mud at the marina. This next picture is of the marina at high tide. At noon we had to return the golf cart and then we walked to lunch at Tony's. After lunch we walked the Railroad Trestle Nature Trail. We went to the Cedar Key Scrub State Park to walk but found it uninteresting so we didn't go far.  Back at the B&B we watched a movie and then watched the sun set. We drove a whopping 13 miles today (not counting miles in the golf cart) and our high temperature was 68. A very relaxing day! Tomorrow we start home. Click here to see all photos from today - Day 11 Photos  

It was chilly this morning - 37 degrees when we woke up around 7:00PM. We enjoyed our breakfast at the B&B. At noon we took off on a rented golf cart to tour Cedar Key under sunny skies with a temperature of 51. The town of Cedar Key was established in 1869. In 2019 it had a population of 773. Lunch today was at the 2nd Street Cafe. Food was good but we were surprised to find that they charged us $1 for a glass of water. We enjoyed the sights on/in Cedar Key until we stopped at 5:30. It was 52 degrees. The high was supposed to reach 55 today and it probably did. We walked the boardwalk to Cemetery Point Park and along the way we saw dozens of lizards sunning themselves. They looked like baby alligators. To see all photos taken today click here -  Day 10 Pics

Due to the Chiefs vs Steelers game last night our bedtime was much later than usual. We slept in a little longer this morning and then we went on a walk with Tom & Joyce. At ten minutes after noon we thanked Tom and Joyce for their hospitality, said goodbye and took off for Cedar Key, FL. It was partly cloudy and 65 degrees. Our route was I-75 north; I-275 west and north through St. Petersburg to Tampa; 589 north; 98 north to Otter Creek and 24 southwest to Cedar Key. I had a minor heart attack when we stopped for a bathroom break at a convenience store, bought some peanuts and realized my credit card was NOT in my wallet. The last time I used it was the day before at a restaurant in Lakewood Ranch, FL. I called them and eventually learned that they had my card. I called Tom and he was kind enough to pick up my card from the restaurant and he'll mail it home for me. In Homosassa Springs we ate a late lunch at Two Guys From Italy. At 4:25 we arrived at the bed and breakfast in C...