Liberal, KS to Dodge City, KS 85 miles

I guess not surprisingly, Dodge City, KS looks about the same as it did 4 years ago when I was here on my first cross-country ride. The only change I noticed as I road through town was that some renovations are underway around the Boot Hill Museum. All else looks pretty much the same. The smell of cattle and livestock still permeates the air, and the trains keep rolling through. It is a bustling place that reminds me of Bakersfield, California. Both cities serve as supply centers for area agriculture. In addition, Bakersfield has oil, and Dodge City has meat packing. There is an industrial, workman-like feel to both towns. 

Dodge City's history as a wild frontier town in the old west is celebrated with a museum and a recreation of Front Street from the 1800s. 

It was partly cloudy and pleasantly cool this morning when we left the Best Western Hotel in Liberal, Kansas. We were told that there was a chance of rain, but that never materialized. The first 40 miles were relatively flat, with vast farmlands on both sides of the road. I noticed many more windmills than I did just four years ago. I understand there is now some pushback from some communities in Kansas regarding building more windmills on these expansive pastures and grazing lands. I must say it does change the character of the place with these massive structures, all in rows, rotating in the wind as far as the eye can see. They are not everywhere, but they are prevalent enough. Gone are the days of endless miles of pristine farmland with a lone farmhouse and barn off in the distance.

At the 40-mile mark of our ride, there was a SAG stop in Meade, Kansas. The "Headliner Attraction" was the Dalton Gang Hideout. Not familiar with that one? Either am I, and as I write this, I am still not familiar with its significance, nor do I particularly care. I did make a very brief trip to the museum and gift shop to keep up appearances with our tour director, who noted that they had paid our $5 admission fee. But after that, I was quickly back on the road to knock out the last 45 miles to Dodge City. I had more important things to do, like taking a selfie with the bronze statue of James Arness, star of the TV Western Gunsmoke.

Looking at this picture, you can almost hear him saying, 

"Hosley, folks don't take kindly to men like you around these parts. Dodge City is a respectable, law-abidin' town. Wearin' a getup like that, I reckon you might get shot. Now I think it's best you get back on your bike and get the heck outta Dodge. Fast as those skinny little chicken legs will take ya."

When I think of it, if I had shown up in an outfit like that on an episode of Gunsmoke, it would look more like an episode of The Twilight Zone. 

After taking my selfie with Mr. Arness I checked into the hotel (the same one we stayed at four years ago) and made a beeline for Subway across the street. Four other riders joined me, and we enjoyed lunch together as the Brits checked for updates on the Giro d'Italia bike race. Evidently, a British rider is doing well. 

Dinner tonight was at a very posh place called "The International House Of Pancakes." I had a dry cheeseburger and fries. 

Ice Cream is a big favorite among these riders. I think doing all the miles makes people feel the freedom to indulge in ice cream on a nightly basis. After almost every meal lately, the talk is about where people can get ice cream. Tonight, for the first time, I had Freddy's Frozen Custard. I was informed that custard is made with eggs and ice cream with cream. I am not sure if that is correct, and I'm too tired to Google it at this point, but I can report that it was creamy, good, and very filling. 

Tomorrow we are off to Great Bend, Kansas. I believe we stayed there four years ago. 

Kansas is a pretty place, mostly pastoral, green, and flat.