Blowing into Kansas, and our little dog, too.

We had rain overnight in Columbus, thankfully, because it knocked the top 1/2 inch of crud off of the Accord, leaving only 1/4 inch in place.  Then the wind came up around 9 pm.  Weather said 25 - 35 mph, gusting to 45 mph for the next 24 hours.  The Bigfoot rocked in the wind, but it was a good sleep, oddly comforting, kinda like sleeping in the boat. We dawdled around Sunday morning, hoping it would die off.  Heated water on the stove and took turns having a standing bath in the shower; what luxury!  We filled up with gas and hit the road.  The wind was pretty much north/northwest so the 350 km. drive south, on smooth, divided 4 lane highway, with the engine barely idling, was a cakewalk.  We refueled at Hutchinson, and headed southwest across the 40 mph. northwest wind  The divided 4 lane highway became a narrow two lane, with steep ditches.  Out in the open, we heeled like a sailing ship, and with wind to no-wind exposure, the Bigfoot required a firm and persistent hand to keep her in our lane.  We checked the weather which predicted no letup til dark, so we called it a day at Pratt, KS.  Yep, Walmart.
Saw our first opposum roadkill at Osceola, KS, much further north than I figured they'd be.  Also saw small flocks of meadowlarks soon after; what a treat to see them in January.  Distinct greenery in some fields and low wet areas.  504 Km. today, discretion being the better part of valour.