POST 1312; MAY 06, 2014; EUREKA, KANSAS

We have our new PANASONIC camera Up and running.  We benefit in shear number of images and have returned to the quality expected of Seniors Walking Across America. 

 Treated myself to a social evening at BENNY WestSide Restaurant and Bar, where I met wonderful people, got my hug and so much more, and am enjoying my afternoon creating this edition of SAM and ME, as the invitation came to return before continuing our walk tomorrow morning.

I do miss SAM.

Hills and valleys are producing groves of trees bursting out all over.  Wind continues to abate and so does the dust in the air .

Before leaving EL DORADO yesterday, walked 10 miles toward EUREKA, 30 miles distant. 

EL DORADO CORRECTIONAL FACILITY. 

Saw a Pheasant and some quail.  This topography is great for them.

Aside about birds on this walk:

Unlike prior walks, many LESS birds are seen.  Turkey Vultures filled the sky two years ago.  Many days have gone by without a single Vulture.  Today, a pair swooped low over my head.

Also, the most prolific bird in America, the DOVE, is much less in evidence.

KANSAS countryside scenery is green green green.  Many natural "Mother Nature" lakes and tiny streams meander across the Savannah.  Pastures for numerous herds of cattle- mostly Black Angus -  are deep with lush grass along with copses of leafy trees protecting the animals from the cloudless sun swept sky.

Real Hills have returned.  We are inching near the Mississippi River.

EUREKA is an interesting town, the center of which is a few blocks off US 54.  US 54 has nabbed away tourist watering holes such as restaurants, gas stations and even some specialty shops.

Architecture of multistory buildings down town seem to hold the city together.

Please say HELLO to COLLEEN, Lawyer and Speech Therapist on assignment to EUREKA...asking me to swing by KANSAS CITY to speak to some school groups.  We shall see.  In the interim, I received the hug I requested a couple days ago.

Please say HELLO to 88 year old DAYREL BANE, whom COLLEEN tried to convince that he was  NOT too old.

Please say HELLO to MYRISSIA, our barkeep.

BENNY Westside...an impressive architectural wonder.

The Ole' Swimming Hole.

Nature's Pallet...

MYRISSIA MUSSETT:  Our Barkeep.

The invitation to become my Driver has been accepted. We shall see.