Springfield, MO to Frisco, CO

April 1, 2011 - Springfield, MO to Elkhart, KS

Kansas

Oil wells nodding,
Some eagerly and
Some slowly considering
an unheard comment
from below.

Purple tractor truck,
Passing on wet highway 400.
A rainbow
In its wake.

Fields,
Some burning black,
Waiting…
Some alfalfa-hope green.

Windmills
White, tech-stretching in rows.
Windmills
Silver, veterans stunned still,
Ever ready.

Wind
pulling dirt across windows,
Tug-of-war with
sun’s warmth.

A lone tree stands naked,
Blushing never,
Waiting
Spring?

April 2, 2011 - Elkhart, KS to Colorado Springs, CO
In 1937 a dust storm came blasting down on Elkhart, Kansas, a huge black cloud that covered everything. Mike and Mary took us to the Morton County Historical Museum. It is extensive. I thought the dust storm photos were most impressive, the pioneer ladies’ photos showed nary a smile, the model of a sod house was cozy and had a tumbleweed Christmas tree, and Mary and I took our photo in a mirror on the horse-drawn hearse. We could go there often and see something new every time!
As Les and I drove through the Cimarron National Grasslands, we saw an antelope standing stately in the wind. The wind is incessant, and it comes steadily from the south.
Doug & Ginni’s in Colorado Springs was our next stop. Their home houses an amazing collection of art, not the least of which are Ginni’s creations. Doug toured us through the large condo full of memorabilia and treasures. He has created a wonderful master bath and dressing rooms on the top floor. Ginni’s studio is there, too. After a home-cooked meal, we were delighted by the arrival of Kit and baby Gwen and little dog Roxanne. Gwen soon made herself at home with her grandparents, pulling out her books and toys. It was especially fun to see Kit as father since I took care of him for a while when he was a baby.
That night there was a tremendous windstorm, but Les and I did not awaken. Doug and Ginni moved to the basement while we slept blissfully on.

April 3, 2011 – Colorado Springs, CO to Frisco, CO
Before breakfast, I rode my electric bike all around Hill Circle. The sun was shining. Doug and Ginni took us to The Garden of the Gods, such a gift in their backyard! As we said goodbye, Ginni gave me a hand-dyed scarf, earth colors and emerald that she had created. We headed north toward some black, black clouds.
Soon the warnings came, highway 70 is closed. Snow began to fall. We inched forward. We passed a herd of elk. In Idaho Springs, a gas attendant reported that the Eisenhower Tunnel was now open, but soon we joined a long line of cars and trucks at a standstill. Our talking book kept us entertained for an hour or so. When we did go, it was congested. Cars and trucks began to be stuck on hills. We threaded the needle and got off at the first exit, Frisco. We called Jesse, and he knew exactly where we were at a KFC. Hotels were full, so we stacked on the blankets and slept in a parking lot.