Driving Across the United States - part 3

Continuing their journey into the wonderfully empty Kansas, the Coronas eventually pulled up to the tollgate of the Kansas Turnpike. This stretch of I-35 seemed unending as they just kept driving relentlessly onward toward their destination. Noticing that the car was running low on fuel and that his bladder was uncomfortably full, Steve decided to pull off the road at one of the rest stop-style gas stations along the turnpike. It was here that Steve received a call from his friend Nick, who happened to be driving back to Minnesota from his honeymoon in Colorado. This conversation made the windy 10 degrees of Kansas feel much warmer to Steve after hearing that his friend's heat had gone out in his vehicle...in Colorado...in December. Nick had covered his entire body with various hand, foot, and body warmers and wrapped himself up in all the layers of clothes he could until he looked like the little brother in "A Christmas Story". Steve was glad to hear his friend's voice and was excited to meet up with him in Minnesota, but that excitement soon gave way to the dread and loathing at the idea that tomorrow (if all went according to plan) he would be driving into negative temps.

Refueled, refreshed, and reinvigorated, the Coronas continued to drive...and drive...and drive. Steve's eternal optimism was beginning to fade when he saw a sign for Kansas City at last. Delighted at the sign, he consulted with Bridgett to see if that was the exit the blessed people at Rand McNally saw fit for them to use. Alas, it was not. So, determined to follow those brilliant directions, convinced that the people at a map company should know what they were talking about - Steve drove on.

Hours later, another sign appeared for Kansas City - this one was for real. So, after coughing up a hefty TEN ridiculous dollars for the privilege of using Kansas' premier roadway, the Coronas were closing in on their final stop for the day. As they got nearer and the familiar sights of the city greeted them, they rejoiced that after an incredibly long day on the road they were almost in the company of friends...friends who offered a warm, cozy place to pass out from exhaustion. But they weren't there just yet. Kansas City is a fairly confusing maze of interstates and highways all intertwining and resembling something of a transportation heart; valves and tubes exiting and entering from all directions. In order to reach their friend's house, they needed to complete a series of complicated exits, merges, and direction changes that would be challenging for the most experienced of drivers. Steve felt sorry for the poor cartographer who had to map this crazy place. So, after crossing the river into Missouri, declaring "we're not in Kansas anymore! (thank God)", and following those amazing directions from the good people at Rand McNally, the Coronas had arrived at Kansas City, MO. It only took them 16 hours!

(To be Continued in part 4)