September 4: Gotta Get the Heck Outta Dodge

Today's post is dedicated to teachers everywhere. If I hadn't decided to stay in Dodge City to see the Gunfighter Wax Museum, I wouldn't have also seen the World's First Teacher's Hall of Fame, which is ... housed in the same building as ironically (or not) the gunfighters. Sometimes teachers have to know when to fight and when to walk away. Haha. This Hall of Fame recognizes teachers from all over Kansas who have gone the extra mile for their students or their profession. Anyone can nominate them and they can even be retired or posthumously nominated. The eight page applications are reviewed by the education panel board members and I think six are chosen each year. Every state should have a Teacher's Hall of Fame. There were also many exhibits to view. Different types of students desks through the years, Weekly Readers, duplicating machines, text books, and innovative individual teacher designed learning games. There was even a one room school house moved to this location and refurbished. Very nicely done. It really showed off how far teachers careers have come and how creative and innovative we are as a group of people.

"The fact that you worry about being a good teacher, means that you already are one." - Jodi Picoult

"By doing what you love, you inspire and awaken the hearts of others." - Unknown

"teacher [teach er] noun

The profession that creates all other professions." - Etsy Instant Prints Store

Dodge City

Funny story... I told the docent that I had found Dorothy's house on the side of their building. She didn't understand what I was saying. So I said that there is a house on the side of your building that looks like it landed there. She said, "Oh you mean our Slanty Shanty. It is the entrance to the basement. It used to be a place for middle and high school students to hangout after school with things for them to do there." I said that I thought it was Dorothy's house because I was in Kansas. She was like, "I get it. You're the first person to say that." I must have a weird sense of humor because I can't unsee Dorothy's house.

Various grain products are stored here

The cowboy praying for forgiveness for how his cows are treated.

Cathedral of Guadalupe

Do you know where the secret hidden compartment is?

Is Jane doing the worm?

I had this lunch box

I thought Blake would get a kick out of this

This dictionary reminds me of the book, Frindle

Playing Home on the Range

This is toilet paper, Montgomery Wards catalog, seems appropriate

1956 Catalog

Sitting Bull, I knew this because he's sitting.

Take a look at this for 4 hours

Hmmm, Colorado looks a lot like Kansas

See? Up and Down, but still straight

So I got up early and left the Dodge City KOA. The Gunfighter Was Museum didn't open until 10:00. It was only 8:30 so I went grocery shopping and filled the gas tank. I went to the Fort Dodge Army Base to look around and take some pics. It is now a development for retired veterans. I also took some pics of the fee stations. I also went to see Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe. It was an impressive building. I've seen a lot of churches on this adventure, but the ones that I have stopped to take pictures of have all been having funerals at the time. Crazy coincidence? or are just so many people passing away? 650,000 from COVID alone.

Then I went back to the Was Museum and discovered the Teacher Hall of Fame. The docent was very informative and everything was interesting to look at and read. She was a retired teacher, like me. I felt so much better about myself after I purchased a sticker and a postcard because she wasn't able to count back the change. First she didn't give me enough change and then she gave me too many bills back. Math 101 - learn to count money.

Finally, I went to the Wax Museum. Not much to report here - but I don't know why a Gunslinger's Wax Museum has JFK, LBJ, the Wolfman, Frankenstein Monster, and Dracula. Kind of like Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Slayer, perhaps. Haha. Everyone held still for their photos. :0)

I still needed to get the heck outta Dodge because I had about 300 miles to cover on my way to Trinidad Colorado. I picked up the 160 Interstate as it crossed the I83 near Garden City, Kansas. I spent probably 4-5 hours on the 160 -- it is straight and flat through Kansas and then again in Colorado until starts going up and down, not mountainous - just hilly, but still straight. I filled up my tank when I started off and there were literally zero places to stop for gas or restrooms. If you look at a map, you can see there is NOTHING. I kept thinking, "okay over this next rise there will at least be a place to pull over - but nada. So, by the time I reached Trinidad, I had "Let Jesus Take the Wheel," Thank you Carrie Underwood. And, I was "Running on Empty," Thank you Jackson Browne. The boys and I had to pee so bad, my side was aching. It's NOT FUNNY! There should be a sign when you get on I160 that you should have a completely void bladder and completely fill tank of gas and don't bring a drink with you. SERIOUSLY! When I reached Trinidad I went directly to the first gas station I was, parked, peed, let the dogs out to pee, filled up the tank, and took a deep breath and thanked the Lord for seeing me through the I160 ordeal.

Then I went to my RV site for the night. My reservations were at Tower 64 RV Park and Motel. The motel has "marijuana smoking" rooms. No tobacco cigarette smoking allowed. In the city of Trinidad there are many many dispensaries and you can practically get high just breathing the air here. I'm pretty sure the guy who checked me in, Sean, was high. Possibly permanently. :0) The tower was once a fire tower. I'm pretty sure the view of Simpson's Rest from the to of the tower is amazing, but I wasn't allowed to climb it. (but, I totally would have - right?) The RV sites were about 12-18 inches apart, Not exaggerating. I could hear the people next door popping popcorn and I could even smell it. It rained off and on all night with a strong wind. I barely slept, but I did get some blogs posted. I'm not so far behind now.