Oakley, KS
After dropping daughter Jessica off at the Denver airport late Thursday afternoon, we pulled out of Estes Park early Friday and headed east on I-70. To say that the scenery changed would be a tremendous understatement.
This is a scene from the Estes Park area of Colorado.
Now drive about a hundred miles to the east and this is a view of scenic Kansas.
We drove about two hundred miles east on I-70 to the little town of Stratton, CO, which is located about thirty miles from the Kansas state line. We find that two hundred miles is enough for one day, so we stopped to spend a quiet night in a new little town. There is a small RV park near the highway that accepted our Passport America club discount so we pulled in there early in the afternoon. Apparently the people of Stratton are on a summer schedule and everyone takes Friday’s off. We took a walk up the main street of town but found the stores (the few there were) to be closed and the street empty, even though it was three o’clock in the afternoon. Even the one tavern we passed was closed (the sign said it opened at 5:00).
Saturday morning we took our time getting ready and left Stratton at about ten o’clock, as our next stop would be in Oakley, KS, only about a hundred miles to the east. We are now parked at the High Plains RV Resort, a nice little park just off I-70 west of Oakley. There’s not much in the town of Oakley but just fifteen miles back to the west, in the town of Colby, there is a Wal-Mart and a Starbucks!
High Plains RV Park
We will be here in Oakley for the next three nights, as there are a couple of places we want to explore. More on that later . . .
Glad you enjoyed your stay in Colorado…… 🙂
It was very short this time, Ingrid. Next time through we will stay for a few months. Beautiful state!!
Whoo, what a difference from the mountains to the plains. Don’t forget to say hello to Dorothy for me.
-MonaLiza
Oh, my Mona Lisa, they do have a whole museum here somewhere with all kinds of OZ items!! Hopefully, we won’t get blown to OZ while here!!
WOW! That is quite a change in scenery! We have never been to Kansas so we are anxiously waiting to see what adventures you will be enjoying!
I have found several areas of rocks and hiking!! We’ll see!
Leaving the big mountains behind in 1991 was one of the more difficult adjustments of the move we made from SLC to DC.
I can just imagine, Erin. I am sick that I am leaving the mountains, rocks, cactus and dry air. Oh, well, it will only be a year.
Quite a change of scenery!
We avoided Kansas when we went back east. Hope you find some interesting things to do there.
Gayle, I have found several very interesting rock areas. Who knows maybe people will want to visit KS after we finish! Our quick 48 hr. trip across is now going to be a week and a half! I hope I can fit it all in!
They say a picture is worth a thousand words, and your two comparison shots really bring that home…….are you going to the Fick Fossil Museum? We have not been but would like to if we are back that way again. Enjoy your travels!!
Right now I don’t know about getting to the museum. We are going to hike Monument Rock and Castle Rock Badlands area. So hopefully we will see lots of fossils then.
You know what they say “Each state has its beauty”. I’m sure you will find some in Kansas! Enjoy!
You are correct, Sheila! We have already gone from a quick 48 hour trip across Kansas to booking a week and half in three different places because I found some hiking and rocks!!! We even liked North Dakota!!
At least you have time to enjoy Kansas…we just drove through, although we stayed the night in Russell at a Passport America park. One of these trips through Kansas we will have to take our time and see what Kansas is all about….looking forward to seeing what you find.
Dave (Marcia and Bubba and Skruffy)
GoingRvWay.com
What a difference a day makes! I am sure you’ll find some interesting things to make us look forward to a jaunt through KS!
Already leaving CO so soon? I’m sure you’ll find plenty of fun stuff to do, but I’m going to miss those mountain shots!
Nina
Well, if you do get to Oz, please send us a link. Lewis needs to see the Wizard about getting some courage…
We look forward to your blogs on Kansas, we’ve only just driven through on our way to somewhere else. Sue
What…a pub closed on Friday at 3? Are these people human?
I Googled Oakley, KS, can’t wait to see what you are going to explore there…hehe
Enjoy.
FYI, we discovered quite a few of those smaller towns on your way east allow free boondocking in their town parks…some even have hookups. Just a way of drumming up some business for the local shops and restaurants. Such a drastic change! but I’m sure you will find something to take pictures of.
Box Canyon Mark
It must be a shock to your systems to leave the beauty of Utah and Colorado behind. Safe travels!