A return to Kansas

DAY ONE

The Southwest Chief pulls into Lawrence, Kan.

One week ago I took the Southwest Chief for the very first time. I’ve ridden Amtrak before, becoming my preferred way to make the short trip north to Chicago, but this was a different experience. While the inter-state train felt like a long bus ride, the cross-country trains are more of an “it’s time to discover the western frontier!” experience.

A lot of that was helped by a 4 hour delay after my train derailed en route to pick me up in Galesburg. De-railed. Thankfully it wasn’t too major, but enough to push back my entire schedule by four hours. People were mildly annoyed, but nothing compared to an all-out riot you’d witness in an airport terminal. We bonded, we told stories and we boarded our train in the darkness of night. The elderly gentleman next to me was slightly odd, but I felt bad for him when he missed his stop by over two hours. He was a little annoyed, but joked that he might “get a free ticket out of this, though I doubt it.” Bo picked me up in Lawrence, Kan. at almost 5 in the morning.

Mural and me, in Lawrence, Kan.

DAY TWO

West through Kansas

After lunch at Rudy’s Pizza, we began our tedious drive to western Kansas. If you ignore everything in the lower portion of your view (everything on the ground), you’ll be surprised. The sky, especially during the summer, is incredible. Peoria has far too many trees and hills and buildings to properly enjoy it. It also misses the magical location Kansas occupies, where the Rocky Mountains tug and pull at the clouds until they resemble dream-like cotton balls.

Bo shakes his afternoon treat

The first place I visit once in Hays, Kan.? The Hays Daily News, of course! Maybe it was a hard day at the office, but it felt oh so very awkward. That’s not what I expected, especially after giving my heart and soul to the paper just this last summer. Old bosses were grim, staffers were “ehhhh” and I was soon getting the hell out.

Micah, very serious

That night, we grilled. Bo might make some of the tastiest burgers I’ve ever devoured, and the copious amounts of wine and champagne just made things even sweeter. Suddenly, all in one backyard, very nearly everyone I missed was mere feet away from me. Later, we did a ritualistic late-night coffee run, a routine that might be the most vivid memory I have of college.

Jordan, flying

Scott, Micah and Rita… and couch

A game of trust?

Scott really does love Bo

Blurry Katie and amused Rita

May 24, 2006

Posted in cogitations.