Nomad Life - Day 370

This morning marked the end of my stay in Dodge City - it's been a good few days...  I was awake at 0555 - like yesterday, a loud truck started up its engines just outside my door and ZI started to smell the exhaust fumes.  Oh well, it gave me the incentive to start teleworking immediately...  I skipped breakfast in the Nendels Inn & Suites (Dodge City).  Meanwhile, outside, it rained all morning.  At about 1100, I took a break to make lodging reservations for the coming night and then made/ate some lunch in my room.  I'd asked for late checkout (approved) was able to telework until noon.  After that, I loaded up the car and departed from the hotel.  By then, the rain had stopped and the day had turned overcast (50F).  My route out of Dodge City took me east on US-50/US-56 and I was mindful of the road signs because I wanted to so some birding in new Kansas counties.  So, about one mile west of the town of Offerle, I turned north on 136th Road (dirt), which allowed me to do some bird observations in both Edwards County (1230) and Hodgeman County (1235).  Next, I drove east on CR-22 (more Edwards County) on a muddy, swervy road.  It was a shame, since my car was newly coated in a thick layer of clay-mud (which turned into a kind of concrete by the time I finished my drive)...  There were times that I drove through deep enough mud that I wondered if I would make it back to pavement.  Eventually, I did (whew) and, a few more miles after that, I reached US-50 again and continued driving east.  As I'd been seeing for most of the week, I saw many more signs for the Santa Fe trail during my trek across Kansas.  One difference, though - I started to see HUGE trucks.  Meanwhile, the day had turned sunny (56 F) and the clouds were dispersing.  At 1300, I crossed into Pawnee County.  My plan had been to keep going east and to use a road through the next town (Kinsley) to get to my planned destination.  However, I found US-50 was closed, instead, turned north on US-183/US-56.  Soon after that, I turned east on I Road (dirt) and started driving through green fields.  There were some trees (from time to time) and passed several oil rigs occasionally.  At 190th Avenue, I turned north and then stopped (1315) to visit a viewing platform for some Santa Fe Trail Ruts that were visible on the prairie.  Almost immediately, I started to get some good bird observations.  Even more pronounced, however, were the loud sounds of a huge prairie dog colony.  I checked out all of the historical signs and plaques before getting back on the road.  When I reached J Road, I followed it to 180th Avenue - this took me to KS-156 and a crossing of the Pawnee River.  My intended destination was Fort Larmed National Historic Site and I was parked there by 1335.  Since the trails from the parking lot seemed to be paved or nicely packed gravel, I didn't put on hiking boots (wore Crocs instead).  During my walk around the grounds, I stopped at the Visitor Center (there was a good museum inside).  All of the buildings were apparently original (with some repairs) because the fort had not been abandoned at any point since its construction.  I went inside several of the buildings, which had a great reconstruction (with all kinds of period artifacts) of the lives of the soldiers stationed on the prairie in the mid Nineteenth Century.  Along the way, I had a nice conversation with a chatty blacksmith - he offered to make me a chain link to take home but I declined.  By the time I reached my car again (1430), I discovered that I'd walked a whole mile.  Almost immediately, I departed towards the east on KS-156.  Hoping to find some more birds, I turned onto O Road and soon (1450, near the town of Radium) reached Stafford County.  Fortunately, I found some birds so didn't tarry long.  Instead, I used 80th Avenue to drive north into Barton County (1500) and got back on US-56.  From there, I began my fuel conservation strategies (as I've been doing nearly every day since leaving Lake Tahoe.  As I entered Great Bend (1505), I noticed signs for a "B-29 Memorial" and made a stop at the Airport to pay my respects to the brave Superfortress crews who won World War II.  There were plaques for the engineers who designed the aircraft, crews that manned the planes during the war, memorials to many who gave the ultimate sacrifice and individual bricks for local veterans.  The committee that created the memorial included Senator Bob Dole and the artwork (sculpture of a soaring B-29) was very impressive.  After getting back on the road, I made my way through busy Great Bend.  It was nice to see that gas prices were dropping but, on the other hand, I was stuck (long delays) at nearly every traffic light in town.  I was finally out on the prairie again and immediately noticed a strong gas/oil smell (coming from the oil rigs? I hope so...).  By 1545, I had entered Rice County (more bird observations) and was pleased to see that the temps had increased to 62 F.  I listened to an audiobook and later explored Spotify (I'm loving the gift from Mollie and Alex!).  Though I wasn't speeding, I didn't expect to get passed by an 18-wheeler - however, a Dollar General truck passed and I had to help him by slowing down (significantly) so he could get over to the right in time.  Soon after that (1620), I arrived in McPherson County.  I passed a huge refinery (probably the cause of the lower fuel prices) just before the town of McPherson, where I got stuck at more lights.  Beyond that, though, I had a nice stretch of driving and passed quickly through Marion County (1655), Chase County (1725) and another town of Marion (they seem to be in nearly every state).  In the distance, I could see a lot of tall windmills spinning.  Eventually, I turned on to KS-150 and headed due east.  Meanwhile, the sun was setting earlier than I expected so I sped up.  I'd been hoping to make it to another National Park Service unit before dark but it was going to be close.  I passed signs that indicated I was entering the Flint Hills, terrain I'd noticed when driving through Kansas in the past.  Along the way, I passed a huge bison herd on the south side of road - cool!  Eventually, I reached US-50 which, shortly after that, became a nice four lane road.  I turned off of the highway when I reached KS-177 (near Strong City) and arrived at the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve by 1740.  Even though the sun was almost gone, I was able to do some hiking, birding and was treated to a spectacular sunset.  In the distance, I heard what I presumed to be some coyotes howling (shiver).  While walking, I ended up in a call with Mollie.  As a result, I got a lot of steps (two more miles walked) before I was finished (complete dark) at 1840.  After making my way back to US-50, I headed east and passed into Lyon County by 1850.  Along the way, I skipped dinner (although I did eat some snacks).  Upon arrival at Emporia (1855), I followed Google Maps until it took me to the wrong hotel.  The lady at the desk seemed annoyed and then I realized that the correct one, Knights Inn, was located immediately behind the first.  When I'd made the reservation, I'd been impressed by the extremely good price - it was basically two nights for the price of one (much better than what was offered on the Wyndham site).  The place was under new managements (I met the owners) and featured a nice indoor pool inside a large courtyard with rooms.  The hotel was big enough that there were more rooms outside of this area and I told the owners that I wished them the best in their new endeavor.  After reaching my room (1910), I resumed teleworking.  At about 2020, I started hearing a ruckus in one of the hotel rooms nearby - a lady and man were fighting loudly.  Hoping to avoid the rage and stress, I took a break and went shopping for some beer at the liquor store next to my hotel.  Inside the store, I ended up talking with lady clerk - she was very interested about my Nomad Life.  After saying goodbye to her, I walked my last mile for the day (four miles total) before returning to my room.  Beyond that, I finished the last 50 minutes for my workday (done at 2140).  The rest of the evening was filled with Duolingo, YouTube videos and streaming service shows.  I finally was ready for bedtime at 2315.  The available sunlight will be a challenge for me, going forward, as the days get shorter and I'm no longer three time zones from my (work) office.  Hoping I can still find the time for outdoor exercise!