Day 9 - El Dorado SP to Toronto/Cross Timbers SP and the Tall Grass Prairie

Well, our lovely solitary campsite turned into quite the excitement at about 3:30 am when a raging thunder/lightning/driving rain storm hit. Luckily Kit woke up to see it approaching. While Martha slept cozy in her tent (she had put her rain fly on, smart girl) Kit and Bill were experiencing a 3 alarm fire. First it was get on the rain fly, then it started to rain and they ran around getting all the camp gear that was left out (stupidly) and putting it in the car. In the meantime it really started raining and the tent door was wide open as were two windows. By the time they turned their attention back to the tent, then wind started to blow in gale forces and it was all the could do to keep the "tent-mahall" from collapsing (Note; the tent is 10x10x6 feet tall!) while Bill put in more tether lines and stakes. By the time they were done the tent had an inch of water in it and both Bill and Kit were completely drenched. Then as they dried off and got into somewhat damp beds the lightning started. It was all around and we just hoped that the wonderful tall shade tree we were camped under didn't look appealing to the electricity. Needless to say it was a slow start in the morning, drying things out the best we could. The slow start was helped by a very low tire on Kit's bike which needed a new tube. But, finally were off and we were treated to a changing landscape as we rode through the Flint Hills and largest Tall Grass Prairie in the USA. The photo above shows part of it as we are just leaving it and getting into some more varied terrain. You will notice there are not a lot of photos today. While the grass prairie was pretty and lush it was after all - grass! Not the most photogenic subject. Also we are later than we would have like to have been and so just put our heads down and peddle towards our desination, another KS state park and a cabin that Bill has reserved.

By the time we are getting close to Toronto and the state park the terrain is looking more like what we expect in Missouri rather than Kansas. More rolling hills, more trees, more creeks and run down worn out towns like Toronto. However the State Park is quite lovely and well maintained. Bill has gotten out our wet tent and sleeping bags to start the drying out process. Martha and I add to the assortment and we look like real "yahoos'. But the cabin is cozy, 2 rooms and a loft. We enjoy snacks on the deck overlooking the lake while our stuff dries out. Then Bill fixes brats for dinner YUM