Traventure Day 1 - Cleveland to Dodge City

We awoke at 4:15 a.m. and headed to the Cleveland airport to fly to Wichita. Betty's brother in law actually picked us up and dropped us at the airport. Wow!  Now that is family above and beyond!  We arrived with no fan fare or drama.  I am loving the TSA Pre Check!  Even though the lines have grown, the fact i don't have to take my shoes off is a game changer for me. The American Airlines flight itself was uneventful and we landed for our connection in Dallas and had a short layover before reaching Wichita, Kansas. I believe we had Han Solo as a pilot for our first flight since there were fuzzy dice hanging in the cockpit. It just added to our laid back vacation vibe.  We even were able to enjoy a roll coaster ride on our travels through the airport in Dallas. Oh no, maybe not.  It was just the fast curvy train to take us to our next gate.   We held onto the railings and other passengers as everyone swayed and suitcases rolled to any open space on the train.  It was a wild ride.  I was delighted when we reached our gate and there was a Garrett's Popcorn shop across the aisle.  I had only seen Garret's in Chicago airport.  So Bruce bought some for the road.  We snacked on it for the next 3 days and it was still delicious.

After picking up our Avis rental car, we were on our way and drove 154 miles to Dodge City.  Though we had a loose itinerary so we didn't waste time choosing what we wanted to do, we were up for any stops along the way that interested us. In Garden City, we came across the Kiowa County Historical Museum that just happen to have an Old Fashioned Soda Shoppe attached.  We learned about Dickie, the original Soda Jerk, while enjoying malts, root beer floats and a sundae flight among the four of us.  The museum was one of our favorites documenting the history of the county.

When we were done enjoying the ice cream and museum, it was onto Dodge City and the Boot Hill Museum.  We saw some art along the drive and pulled over and took a few photos. Then we came upon the Boot Hill Museum. The museum gives a detailed and personal description of those early day families and how they lived during the 1870s through the turn of the century. We were a bit skeptical of the price of the museum, but once we went inside we realized that it was not housed in the small building bearing the name, but it was an entire campus area with a cemetery, old jail, a street front and the Cowboy Hall of Fame.  The museum is named after the Boot Hill Cemetery, which sits on the northeast corner of the museum campus. "Boot Hill" was a common name for cemeteries used to bury gunslingers in the American West. The term refers to the fact that these men had "died with their boots on". We were surprised by how interactive the main museum was from picking up a shot glass and having a digital bartender explain the history of prohibition in the county while preparing drinks for the unseen customers to the feel of a buffalo stampede under your feet. There were over  It was an unexpected surprise.  About an hour into our visit, we stopped into the Alhambra saloon and bellied up to the bar to grab a sarsaparilla and had a nice chat with Chet, the barkeep.  After we wet our whistle, we continued wandering through the various buildings looking into a doctor's office, parlor, Black Smith's, church and the home depicting life in the 1870's. Since it was early afternoon in the off season, we didn't witness any gun fight, but we were okay with that.  We  were starved and stopped at "Dodge City Brewery".  I don't drink beer, but the rest of the group said it was really good, especially the "Wobbly Pop".  I did however love the "Old West Style" pizza and my mix drink, I only wish I could  remember the name of it, but it was a special.

It had been a long day and we were ready for sleep.  My back was beginning to ache again and I wanted to get off my feet.  Hotels weren't plentiful in the area where we were, but Paul had found one that had good reviews.  He was regretful of his choice when he saw it and apologized.  It was far from the best and I had stayed in worse.  It was for one night and we settled in our rooms at Nendel's Inn.  I am not sharing a link because I don't recommend it.  Bruce was fast asleep after our 18 hour day.  I was not so lucky as my back was not cooperating.  I tried my best to muddle through the pain, but after an hour and a half, I gave up and took a oxy.  Yuck, I hate those pills and I fully understand how addicting they can be, but I needed to sleep.  It was only day one of a ten day trip.

Bruce showing off the broken desk chair in our hotel room. 
It was a low ride with a half broken back.