The wind on our way to Wichita made me want to cry. In fact, I think I may have. I played a game with myself called "try and ride the next 8 miles without dropping below 10 mph." The winds were approximately 30 mph in our faces. We rode for twenty miles before we through our hands in the air, cursed Linka (of Planeteer fame, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Planeteer), and stuck out our thumbs. Our first ride was brief, a mere 5 miles. Jerry brought us to the turn for Cheney Lake. Again we played the glorious thumb dance. Congressman Bill Light, from South West Kansas, came to our rescue with a big truck with an empty bed. Congressman Light told us all about Kansas politics and his work with the budget committee. He was a top notch guy and I would vote for him, breaking my party ties. He took us into Wichita and pointed out the sights. Now, we had prearranged to stay with some kids off couchsurfing, so we had an address of where we were set to stay that night. And Bill took us all the way to the front door.
Already, I felt like something was missing. And it was. My trusty Camelback, my hydration and the home of things I need to carry, was in the back of Jerry's truck. It had my recently purchased postcards, my knife, leatherman, headlamp, and most importantly, my iphone inside that bag. Needless to say, I was distressed. Racquel saw that I was close to loosing it, so she sat me down and started making calls. She called 411 to get ahold of people at Cheney Lake, and the sailing club and anyone else that might know Jerry. She was on the phone for an hour, but it was all gravy. People called their people and they got ahold of Jerry and he dropped off the bag at Cheney Lake and we were told we could pick it up at the ranger's station. Wheew.
One of our wonderful hosts offered to take Rocky and I to pick up my bag. We set out listening to the new Hanson album and got to ride on a interstate for the first time in weeks. Shannon, our driver, had googled the directions a different way than we had come but it seemed reasonable. We drove and drove, and then made several turns going deeper into unpopulated farmland. We turned on a dirt road and then another. Finally, we make a right on an unmarked dirt road at the dead end we assume is Pretty Prairie Road. It has a few puddles but they didn't seem too deep. We were wrong. Once stuck, we jump out to access. The whole left side was submerged, the front right tire was underwater and perched higher than the left side and the back right tire was on dry land. Rocky and I are no wimps nor are we nervous about getting dirty. We dive right in and start digging and wedging whatever we can to give traction to the wheels. We are kneeling in the dark red mud and the water went up to our biceps. Shannon was the test driver and wheel managing technician and managed to get filth all over the now slippery clutch and entire front seat. We ended up following the rest of the directions that we had but after a half mile of walking we ended up on the banks of the lake. No ranger station. Shannon hadn't put in the ranger station, she had simply googled Cheney Lake, so it took us as directly as it knew how to the banks of the mighty water. As we walked back, she called AAA. Racquel and I played in the mud. Someone spotted a tractor and we ran to catch up with it. Farmer Curt said he would indeed rescue the damsels in distress and faster than AAA could get there. He was so helpful. He ran the tractor back to its home and came in a big farmer's truck. He spoke very little but efficiently rigged up a chain and rope to the little Honda and the big farmer truck. One quick pull and we were free. As we said our thank yous and goodbyes, we passed the unsuspecting AAA tow truck. Sorry pal, farmer Curt to the rescue.
We continued to get more lost as we still needed to get to that ranger station and nab the bag. The directions were fragmented that we received from Curt and the fishermen we happened upon. An hour later we found the place and the ranger and my bag. On the way back to Wichita, we calculated that it was only a 30 min drive to where we picked up my bag, but it had taken us 4 hours, including mud time.
Covered in mud, Racquel and I received hair cuts from Shannon's sister. Rocky looked and looks so hot, she's like Tiffany-Amber Thessin in "90210" circa 1997. Mine is short. It looks great,but I gave her "carte blanche" to do anything and to me it was a little tame. Then I remembered that I am in Derby, Kansas.
For the next several days we have established quite the social life in Wichita. BBQ's, bonfires, we attended the symphony, a jazz performance, and the house where we are staying has a party every Monday night called "Sink Beer" that is incredibly akin to the Wednesday night gatherings for Veggielution. Rain has been a blessing. The girls and I even caught up with Weeds season 3 and didn't miss Heros.
Thank you Wichita.
Hey Sarah! Just want to say hello and I miss you! And also a big hello to the girls!
Hey girls this is Angie from Casey's in Augusta, KS. I just wanted to say THANK YOU for the wonderful lunch. I truely enjoyed the company and the wonderful feeling you all left me with. It renewed my spirts...I feel refreshed with life. So THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart. My boyfriend says hello and is sorry he too didn't have the the opportunity to meet you amazing ladies. We both wish you a very SAFE and wonderful journey. Keep in touch.
Angie ()};)
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