Milford Kansas

Thursday May 10, 2018

My masters were slow getting around this morning so we didn't get on the road until 10:30. Good news is they won't need a lunch stop. It is still really hot, in the 90s again today I heard. We have the tank topped off, extra provisions loaded and are headed north for Acorn Resort in Milford, Kansas. We are going to Kaitlyn's college graduation. Kaitlyn is Dallas' master and my master's granddaughter. She is graduating from Kansas State. She worked so hard for this. She wouldn't let anything stop her. My masters are both so proud of her.

We are on I35 North. The landscape is classic for Midwest interstates. We cross the state line into Kansas. My master says he is going to call me Toto while we are here. Why Toto? The state of Kansas charges a toll for the interstate just like New York did. Fortunately it turns out to be far less than in New York. We see more wind farms. My master's nephew Ryan just started a new job for a company that builds the blades for these giants. From what we've seen, you made a good job pick Ryan. There is a big casino in Kansas too. I didn't expect that. We also didn't expect oil rigs but we saw them too.

We see what looks like another teardrop. As we get closer we see it isn't really the right shape. It is small. It is made by Runaway Campers. They specialize in campers that are 6x8 feet or smaller. I think the teardrops are much cuter.

We stop at the Walmart in El Dorado so my master can load up on Starbucks and try to get a swim suit. We will be at the resort three nights, our longest stay in one place. They are going on a boat ride on the lake and it is so hot that swimming even in chilly water sounds good. Wonder if I will get to go on the boat? After shopping, we turn onto US77 North. The landscape changes to rolling hills. As we approach the resort, the hills are more prominent. We pass a sign that says "Experience the Flint Hills". Wikipedia says they are called Flint Hills because there is flint at the surface. It is from the bedrock exposed by erosion. Because it is so rocky, the Flint Hills have the most intact tallgrass prairie in North America. 

We arrive at Acorn Resort about 3:30. Kaitlyn and Corey, Marc and Zebe (parents), Tristan (brother), and Paul and Claire (grandparents) are staying in a cabin. We have a room in the lodge. We drive into the resort but aren't sure where the lodge is. We try a couple roads then stop at the small office so my master can ask for directions. When she comes back, she has the keys to the room and a map. There aren't any ice machines in the lodge so she also buys a styrofoam cooler and a bag of ice. The lodge is a 2 story building with 5 rooms on each floor. It has a very nice big front porch and a view of the lake. We unload the car and settle into the room. It is big with 2 couches and 2 double beds (picture from Acorn website). I like the couches but double beds mean I'm sleeping alone. I get a short walk then we all chill out for awhile.

My masters go to an early dinner at the Cove restaurant right by the lake so it is very close. Turns out they have good food in addition to a great view. They stop by Kaitlyn's cabin afterwards to say hi to everyone. The group has dinner plans in Manhattan, Kansas. Back at the room, we all chill out on the porch enjoying the view, quiet and nature. Later my master and I take a long walk overlooking lake. WOW, this is the best place yet for walks.