Adventure 41: West Plains Drifting/Meade, KS to Garden City, KS

Overnight in Meade's City Park

One of the beauties of the modern age is it's optional whether travelers stop at roadside historical markers. GPS locators inform us of the historical significance of any particular area as we speed by at sixty-five miles an hour. Judy just reads the information off of her phone. This is good because on the high plains of Kansas, the historical markers, while well marked, are shallow gravel turnouts and the ever present semi-trucks seem to take a dim view travel trailers of breaking stride. Nonetheless, we do stop just for the experience of standing with the wind and grass. The history of the area is worth considering, especially considering one of the motives for the Fric and Frac  journey is to experience the life and times of fellow Americans past and present. We rolled into Meade, KS along with our first cold front. The temperature dropped nearly fifty degrees, was forecast to stay cold for a couple of days, and then return to the normal range of 60+/35. So far the weatherman is both right and on time. It was bitterly cold as we drove ten miles south of Meade to find the boyhood home of Judy's father, Abe. We found the place, and Judy's memories fluttered from Easter egg hunts, singing in German with her sisters, flowers in the bay window, her  aunts' cooking, (freshly baked cinnamon rolls, dripping with vanilla scented icing) and the silent presence of her grandfather. After visiting the farm, we visited the cemetery and found the graves of Judy's grandparents.  We met Judy's cousin Jean, her husband Fred, and another of Judy's cousins (Bailey) for dinner at the local Pizza Hut. Jean brought a few old photos, we had some catch up talk, and generally had a nice time. According to Judy, Jean was always the prime family organizer for reunions and such. Her talents showed as she took charge of ordering the pizzas. I loved talking with Fred about his boating. He built a twenty-eight foot jet boat, and I could tell he liked to go fast. He was gracious about my sailboat's top speed of seven knots. We were so enthralled with their stories about Branson, Missouri, where they went every summer for years, that we almost made reservations last night. Bailey, a retired (almost-it sounds like he drives still) truck driver, drove over from Liberal, KS for the evening. He grew up right on the property the Pizza Hut sits on. In fact, his mom planted a tree out back of the restaurant.  He, too, is what Judy calls a 'Salt of the Earth type guy. I liked them all immediately, and I was glad it worked out to see them. The local park welcomed campers, so we boon docked there for the night, which was nice because the park was down in a little gully and protected us from the cold wind. I think it got down in the low twenties. Frac stayed cozy warm all night. Unfortunately, we missed Fred and Jean who came by for coffee about nine; we pulled out about eight-thirty. Hopefully, they'll make it out to Spokane. I'm sure I could get Fred a speedboat ride on Priest Lake. Bailey, too. Maybe Jean can organize a Friesen family reunion out west. We pulled into Garden City mid morning, took a nice walk down town, and had a nice visit with Judy's aunt Elizabeth (94-very sharp). She taught first grade in a small Western Kansas town called Ulysses. I hope I'm as sharp as she is at her age, IF I make it that long. On a tournament note, we're playing quick two out of three matches. I won the Meade, KS Open. The Garden City Open is tied and will be determined tomorrow morning. Tonight, we're getting our basketball fix (Not the Zags, though) watching the Tipoff Marathon. Duke/KU; Kentucky/Michigan State. Hoop heaven, so life is good, especially today.
 Judy has fond memories looking out the bay window of her dad's boyhood home.

 I think I saw a pink Easter egg down by the cow pen.

 These guys came running. They thought we came to feed them.

 Tools of the trade for the modern high plains farmer.

 Yea, we're Gonzaga fans, how 'bout moo??

 Matching head stones: simple and elegant.

 In more traditional times, women were known by their married name.

 The day may have been cold, but the memories of family kept us warm. 

 Down town Meade in the distance.

west From left to right: Bailey, Fred, TW, Judy, Jean

 Sorry, Jean, These are the only pictures I have. I often look at Judy in the same way.

 Cool street art in Garden City. This one spins, although it doesn't look like it's moving.

 This is a still sculpture, though it looks like it's moving. We had a great cup of coffee just down the street.

 Judy with her dad's sister, Elizabeth.