Yup, Bluegills are my target! Best eating, (and usually easiest to catch) but a lot of work to clean.

By the way, if you Google search water moccasin (cottonmouth) range map, you will find that in Kansas the ones the locals call water moccasins are merely (very similar looking) northern water snakes. (I wanted to be a Herpetologist, but life got in the way)

I heartily agree with Keith. Tornados are all nasty! I have seen 2 and been within a couple miles of a few others, the most recent in 2019. In 1974, a big one blew through Richmond, KY and killed 4. Same day, Xenia, OH got nearly wiped off the map by another big one.

After reading your firsthand descriptions, I'm not so sure I want to see a tornado anymore--not even from afar. Also, thank you for the warnin' about snakes. I didn't even think about that danger.

Congratulations on your fishing success. In my opinion, bluegill is among the tastiest of fish.

It's almost like tryin' to look at a solar eclipse, ain't it?

Hi,
I spent a year in Kansas way back when, and for lovers of wide open spaces, I’d say it’s perfect. Two things I would caution against: snakes and tornadoes. Be careful where you pitch the tent. Rattlers like tall grass, and near a river and you risk encountering a water moccasin. I’ll bet you can figure out how I know that. I’ve been through four tornadoes in my life. The first one was more than enough. I spent three days in a barn because all the roads were blocked by fallen trees and downed power lines. That was in Ohio when I was home from college for the summer. Fortunately, we had enough beer to see us through. The others here were in Minnesota, twice when I lived in Minneapolis and once after we moved to New Prague. In the first of those, I lost my chimney, four mature trees, and part of the porch roof. The second was a bit further away, but the sight of a door and a roof flying past the windows were enough to send us to the basement. The New Prague tornado all but leveled St. Peter, and sent grain silos spinning down the road while I was driving home from Mankato. And people ask me why I moved to Europe. They might look cool on the evening news, but up close tornadoes are no joke. If I never see another one, I won’t miss them. While I was in Kansas, I didn’t see a one, thankfully. I sincerely hope you don’t either.
Other than that, have a great tour. Yee-haw!
Cheers

That cow looks moldy.

Fantastic day here in Dayton too! Rode wearing Teva sandals and a short sleeves shirt, but wore long pants since I was going fishing and prefer not to scratch legs... Mostly sunny, strong south wind and I ended up catching 7 bluegills large enough to take home, where they are now resting, repurposed as fillets in the fridge. About half a mile away from home, my derailleur snapped off and jammed into my spokes... Glad that didn't happen about a hundred yards back as I was hammering to cross a busy street between the mercilessly heavy traffic... I'd have likely been history!

Looking forward to your adventure!

Ooh! I need to put on my dark sunglasses for this, Gregory..

Is that Dino from the Sinclair Gas Station?

I'm hoping a true springtime isn't too far off. At least the snow from our blizzard is starting to melt.

You ain't mistaken. Them there boots are indeed Sorels--the best footwear on the planet for shovelin' after a heavy snowfall. You have a sharp eye. You also have a sharp wit. I like your analogy, but I'm going to modify it slightly to fit my journal--Sorels : Minnesota :: Cowboy boots : Kansas.

Welcome sweet springtime!

If I ain't mistaken, them shoes you're wearin' look like Sorels, the Midwestern equivalent of Southern cowboy boots because everybody wears them - for good reason. You really are a Tough Guy.

Well done on your mini crit! Those are sharp turns to stay on ‘track’ and you did it well. The snow is beautiful and so glad you like shoveling it!!

Oh yes, fresh snow is the best, as long as it isn't too deep.