The second week of our trip we are starting on the way to Kansas. Oklahoma we are leaving behind us, its low mounds, which have brought about so desirable a change after the plains of Texas, its typical oil wells, pastures and fields. But it's time to go away, we're curious, what will probably be Kansas?
Cross the border, and one of the first things that we meet, are packages with cotton, flattened on the edge of the field. Our first cotton fields. Interesting. We're going on I-35, but shortly beyond her we're leaving and we're getting after the parallel free road, to you again a little more swept the countryside. Just before wichita and I on I-35 we're back and we arrive at the the Kansas Aviation Museum on the other side of the air base McConnell AFB. We have a lot of time, as they open at noon, so waiting for the ravioli, we're gaining strength and pokukujeme over the fence on our first strategic bombers, which on the way after US we meet
Museum (the original airport building, a style not unlike that of the South terminal of prague airport) opens up and we get acquainted with the history of the base, the airport and the development of some of the components of the strategic bomber B-52, which here took place. In the building there are several aerobatic aircraft and from the windows is a view of the flock of tankers weaned on a military base (it is but an explicit prohibition is out to take pictures, a shame). Finally, we set out into the sharp midday sun, to know about the outdoor exhibits. We enjoy that we're in the museum almost to yourself, when you will have B-52D just for yourself? Or in the peace circle KC-135E? Or hide in the shadow of wings WB-47E ... The vision is here Boeing 727 or 737-200, Cessna T-37B (factory Cessna is in sight from the museum), Lockheed T-33B, Republic F-84F and more.
The heat is like in Ecuador, so after less than two hours with pleasure we sit back to klimatizováného the car and away we go. We pass the huge silos for agricultural products, it is clear license plate Kansas, as well as the trains with the cattle. The purpose of our trip is the remote Topeka, the capital of Kansas. In the end there in the early evening we arrive at, and because we are more naseděli than walked, so we're even an evening walk around the city. Nearby is the the cost a railroad station (with the inconceivable stop passenger trains, where it seems for years there was no incoming ...), then we go through a kind of industrial districts, to come to the river Kansas, then back around the police station (ooh, click, click, click ...) back to the hotel. This time, we don't live in the usual "motel" a two-storey hotel, but in the eight stories out of a building that has seen better days, but at least we have a view. Tomorrow is the third of the chapters, so let's go to bed..
Topeka, capital of Kansas, and its Chapters. We're heading out first thing in the morning to catch the next program that is waiting for us. Parking again is not a problem, right next to the building is a large parking lot, just got to watch out what is for visitors (visitors) and what for the employees. Building with the style different from other Kapitolů, on its top then stands a statue of an indian, heading the bow to the star of the north star. Chapters you walk around, take pictures along with other memorials, which are always in the area.
Then we move to the nearby airport, in front of which lies the Museum Of the Kansas National Guard. The museum at first glance, the smallish hides behind a pile of military equipment exposed under the open sky, including KC-135, CH-54 Tarhe and other affections.
But first, in the premises of the museum getting acquainted with the history of the Kansas national guard, armament and equipment, and in a truly dazzling array of exhibits (just arms there are a few dozens of, as well need bayonets etc.), artifacts from the time of the first world even from relatively recent times Afghanistan or Iraq.
The most me, but take a replica of the tent from the tv series M*a*S*H, the famous Swamp Hawkeye Pierce and Trapper John McYntira! Like Hawkeye, he's leaving his hat barely a few minutes ago and left the hall. She can't miss Radarův teddy bear.
Then we go through the rest of the museum and finally we go to the outdoor exhibitions, which takes an honest two hours at least, so much that we really weren't expecting! The last three aircraft of the click and move on!
Before us is the next target - Leavenworth. The city famed for its prison, military and civilian. Rather than prison us at the base interested in the museum. We stop at the civilian prison in the heart of the city in the parking lot for visitors of the prisoners and let's do a few photos. But before we get in front of the building itself, is in us official and informs us that we are on federal territory and is not allowed at the building of the prison did not take pictures (unless we wanted to take a look inside, for quite a long time ). With thanks to the offer of a "search warrant" we reject and we are guided by the council - it is enough to cross the main road, where, once again, the territory of the state Kansas, and from here it is possible to prison, without penalty, to take a picture
Anyway we don't want to tease the snake with his bare foot and quickly leaving this zamřížovanou area and moving to the base of the Fort Leavenworth. Here, sadly, is just not coming through, because for a change there is the "american driver's license" (which basically means have at least a green card or U.S. citizenship), but an officer making is very kind and offers us alternatives in the area. In Kansas City is a great monument and the museum of the first world war, but today has a how to on the creature closed and therefore we choose option "continue" the direction of Nebraska.
We, therefore, with Kansas, it was an honor. In the following days, hitting a number of of the places about which you just read, massive rain, floods, tornadoes ...
Road in a northerly direction from the Leavenworth by Omaha in Nebraska us for a short time introduced into Missouri across the river before we turned to the west.
Heavy rain has caught up with us already on the way, a harbinger of days to come. Never mind, the weather won't change, only we the torrents of water temporarily trapped in the car and we hope it soon abates in the end, we're defecting to Mama's Pizza for dinner and to Walmart to pick up more supplies on the way. A pity that already sell texas Rozárka, uh, Ozarka, very good bottled water in a reasonable amount But what, we will advise you. We are accommodating in the hotel at the edge of the Omaha towards tomorrow's destination, Ashland and its Strategic Air & Space Museum! Our first night in Nebraska..
Imagine all the people, where with Nissan go? In Ashland we go, the museum of the SAC there, eh!
I don't know if it's worth to wait, that the rain will pass, and B-1A Lancer is lákávý goal, so I'm going to run in one hand an umbrella, in the second backpack, in a third camera ... in front of the museum then a few missiles, and then goes under the roof, to Strategic Air & Space Museum. Already the entrance with the SR-71A is impressive, and after payment of the admission fee and the entrance to the first hangar is falling jaw. There is simply everything. The back B-52 for her B-36 Peacemaker aka "the big stick" in your configuration of the "six turning, four burning", the B-58 Hustler, F-111, B-17 in addition, everything looks like a younger sister This will be FOR a LONG time. Around the aircraft is a number of other exhibits, equipment, various artifacts, simulators, even the table from the control center of nuclear missiles, the room dedicated to "father" Strategic Air CommandCurtis LeMayovi and much more. Above it all peacefully hanging the U-2C and a number of other machines. I shoot, shoot, shoot, shoot before the first school trip (that in the end not long to wait). The second hangar continues B-29kou, a vířidlem dust, KC-97G Stratotanker, F-101B Voodoo, F-102A Delta Dagger ... the Third hall is not accessible, only allows you to take a peek at the process of renovation of machines, that will be in the museum exposed.
Outside meanwhile (after about 3 hours ...) the rain stopped, right on cue, and so we're getting a few more outdoor photos and then we continue to the capital of Nebraska Lincoln where the us waiting for the next chapters.
The capitol building in Nebraska differs from the "usual appearance" and we are interested to walk around the whole site, including the governor's house directly across the street to the capitol. We parked again near, so there is no problem at all. And because singing "is to the west a long way", we set out again on a journey - the aim is to reach early to the next the museum of the american cars in Kearney, and then continue toward the Wyoming.
First, we use the shlaví a giant station in the Lincoln. The station is for us little Europeans really monstrous and if you like the technique, I recommend to stop there and try to find some nice place with a view. Unfortunately, it started raining again, so we don't stop, just přibrždujeme, and then get away.
Classic Car Collection on the edge of the city of Kearney is away from highway 80 in places where it verily much else to see. According to the debate with the lady behind the counter it could be in Omaha, but in the end won this place. And it's led by a truly with great care and concern is seen on any car. Huge hall and several rows of vehicles of a whole century of american motoring, it is a mixture of technical achievements, lots of chrome, huge fins, air conditioning and automatic transmissions, and several generations of memories that the you of all those cars dýchnou. We have about an hour and a half before the museum closes, but for fans of cars it is definitely a little, plan more. Me alone enjoyed more discussion with the lady at the box office, which was in the pedigree and the Czech republic, so there was a Czech proverb, and eventually another lord, what is there cares about the cars named something like Machacek, so it was very pleasant chat, in the end, as always.
After all a silver lining of chrome we set out again on the road - weather and time of day of us very much wanted, and so we just missed the already closed museum Heartland Museum of Military Vehicles (not in the plan, I don't know how interesting it is there) but mainly the Golden Spike Tower and Visitor Center at the North Platte. This observation tower is directly above the busiest seřazovacím station in the U.S. (at least according to the sign ), and so you can feast your eyes on hundreds of wagons and locomotives during their daily journey across Nebraska. But even here it's closed for the day and so we arrive up to Ogallaly, where that night we sleep in a hotel with a carriage
For dinner (though it's barely a few hundred meters, so because of the weather we're cowardly car ...) is this time a real genuine mexican bastion, which burns like hell, um, twice ... and then goes to sleep .
Another day, another rain. Even the strong character in our car are considering a visit Dollar Store to get a proverbial dollar to purchase a plastic raincoat. Nothing surprises me, I am from home, but I'm hopeful that the weather will get better. Well, there are days when optimists had to shoot ...
We continue to the west, the direction of the Cheyenne, capital of Wyoming. It's not too big a slight detour on our way to Colorado, and at least in this south-eastern corner of Wyoming we won't have to next time to come back. Plus, there's, well, hadejte what? Chapters Western Nebraska is starting to curl and lift, finally a change from all those planes. See the Rocky mountains? Who knows, the weather becoming mif mof.
I don't know why in the name of the Cheyenne think of western a Time in the west we're Parked a few blocks from the capitol, and we okouknut. This time it's more of a kapitůlek, nothing too big, moreover, in the reconstruction, so they can't even get a good picture. Well, we can do nothing. After a short stop (yes, in addition to the rain, too, has cooled off considerably towards zero ...) we are moving to the museum of the wyoming national guard.
Wyoming National Guard Museum is not too large, itself Wyoming is among the "youngest" states of the U.S. and so even the history of its national guard is much shorter, but no less relevant or full of brave and determined soldiers. The local manager of the museum uses the fact that we're in the museum so far by yourself, and thoroughly acquaints us with the whole collection, including all kinds of details and references to the minor "fakes as early as" in the collections of in the end, we go on the "backyard" of the museum, where crouching two tracked machines, and where the us in addition to them, there's also a real genuine blizzard! Well, that nene! Cvakám camera, cvakám teeth and quickly back into the warmth of the museum ...
But nothing lasts forever and we once again we have to put you on the path, facing the south, the direction of the Colorado. It would be good even for light to get to Denver, we know about the next chapters in one day
The path is in spite of the weather fine, it is recommended to refuel the full, because you don't have to run to the gas station, but no such problem has not been documented. On the contrary to this, as we pointed out in the Cheyenne that Colorado already dubbed rather Calorado, because it is the focus of a massive influx of people from California, who carry with them your perspective on many things, we remember almost immediately in the center of the Denver we leave our underground parking lot and we'll head out to a nearby chapter. The fact that the Colorado since January 2014, legalised marijuana, it is immediately evident. For our whole trip we met so many junkies (or any ...), like right here, during those few minutes when we are in the heart resided. We posed your chapters, kličkujíc between the junkies, the homeless and the beggars, and the too well to us it wasn't. Attempt to visit the toilet at the nearby bus station ended up in that toilet was inhabited by a kind homeless man, no matter that was right next to the guard booth, in which sat two guards ...
Eventually less traffic congestion after the six-lane highway we publish as soon as possible out of Denver. While I flirted with the idea of a visit in Denver some sports match (following a few days there to play baseball, it's on your "wish" list, what in the USA to even visit), but in the end we leave that be and go dálm, the direction of the Colorado Springs, where awaits us just have a big steak for dinner, and then the hotel. The weather is not improving and has further to cool, so pulling up a winter jacket and a baseball cap, will be useful tomorrow .
In the evening, when we were falling asleep, it was raining. After waking up it is white everywhere. Oh yeah At the speed we think, what we'll probably scratch the car, and if we have winter tires? The Hotel was very good, the first time I my room had a full kitchen, but in return do not have breakfast. Watching even a view from the rooms on a B-52 on nearby Academy USAF, which is one of our goal today, and then I'm going the direction of the white hell. The snow thankfully stopped, so odhrnujeme snow (fun to watch their two companions, how they're wearing three shirts and two hoodies, because they do not have to bring a jacket ) and we're moving on to breakfast to Mcdonald's. And then the instructions to the gate of the For.With. Air Force Academy. Instructions were received from the local public relations department, and they proved to be, um, inaccurate, or the right návštěvnícké center is a few miles south, at the second gate. After a short debate around the confirmation of insurance of our car rental (some bases require, so if you are planning such a trip, please indicate it when you say, the car and request a certificate of insurance, a certain analogy to our green card) we get a pass on base and vydaváme at roughly čtvrthodinovou way the foothills of the Rocky Mountains to the center of the base. We pass various aircraft / monuments, until finally we arrive at the visitors center / small museum and the nearby chapel, which is our main goal. The museum also includes a well-equipped gift shop, so your colleagues can buy šušťákovku USAF and leave a short walk from the parking lot toward the chapel. This is over a large square surrounded by buildings, in which probably takes place the theoretical training of pilots, nearby are sports fields (for physical fitness here of course puts a big emphasis, so it is no surprise that the area is a playground for football, hockey stadium, tennis courts, etc.) the Chapel is divided into several levels, its a place that christians-protestants and catholics, buddhists and jews. And behind it all a beautiful view of the mountains.
On the way from the chapel we stop with the already mentioned B-52, and at the cemetery, which is in the area of the base. Here are buried many famous personalities associated with the american airforce, inter alia, the already mentioned Curtis E. LeMay or Robin Olds or Carl Andrew Spaatz. Unfortunately, the format of the cemetery with the plates on the ground is very inappropriate, especially at a time when the country is snow, so pobíhaním and looking to spend quite a bit of time and shoes are ripe for squeezing. But it was worth it!
Shoes in the car we dry, while leaving the academy and returning to the north, where we want to climb Pikes Peak. More than 4000m of altitude, and one of "the most famous mountains of the USA", because there are races in the hill climb, Pikes Peak dominates the whole area and a beautiful view, crowned by that to the top can be reached by car ... Almost none of it but today not. You need to call the phone number to přednahraného note learn how many miles from across the 19-mile route is due to the weather open, and how high you can get. Alternatively, you can leave it to chance and come straight to the gate of the park (as in the other cases, and here is vjez to the national park charged, the car is worth 50 USD). We don't care, we just want to experience. Again, if you want to on this place a look, it is good to think about it already in the video store and want a car that has a transmission with "low gear" on a leisurely ride - on the way down it is forbidden to hinder (or would give you the power of the brakes after the 19 miles left ) and it is good engine braking. Even the journey up is full of turns and too much speed so just out of the question. In addition, what a moment we are reminded how to increasing height, so the presence of various species of wild animals, including bears ... Eventually we stopped 13 miles from the start, 6 miles and about 400 meters of altitude below the summit, on today, the road is not passable. Outside of course, it's snowing, so we take selfies, and some that view "to the region", and then otačíme back. Along the way there is one base where there is a gift shop, and then we're back to civilization.
Because we still have a good time, so we're going to Fort Carsonat the edge of Colorado Springs, where is the museum 4. infantry division. 4th Infantry Division Museum is not at the base, just in front of the gate of the base, so joining is not a problem. The museum is not the largest, it is de facto one of the larger room, which goes through the history of the division and its famous moments, including landing on the beach of Utah in Normandy. Out to see a number of tanks, a helicopter and a near and a monument dedicated to Christopher "Kit" Carson, after which the base is named. General Carson was hraničárskou legend and the man who in 19. century had explored a large part of what is known as the ' Wild west. The statue is very nice as well as the surrounding monuments.
Today for the umpteenth time ždímám shoes and continue the direction of the Pueblo, where is the monument to the holders of the Medal of honor from the Colorado - Heroes Plaza - National Medal of Honor Memorial and then the long crossing we leave the usněžené Colorado and we're heading into the capital New MexicoSanta Fe. The way you put the pizza in the local backcountry, surprised by the decor of one of the buildings - the swastikas on the ledges of buildings one of us very much accustomed to seeing is not ...
Accommodation in Santa Fe it is stylish, the mexican influence is felt in every detail and we are looking forward what the next day would bring..
). With thanks to the offer of a "search warrant" we reject and we are guided by the council - it is enough to cross the main road, where, once again, the territory of the state Kansas, and from here it is possible to prison, without penalty, to take a picture 
At the speed we think, what we'll probably scratch the car, and if we have winter tires? The Hotel was very good, the first time I my room had a full kitchen, but in return do not have breakfast. Watching even a view from the rooms on a B-52 on nearby Academy USAF, which is one of our goal today, and then I'm going the direction of the white hell. The snow thankfully stopped, so odhrnujeme snow (fun to watch their two companions, how they're wearing three shirts and two hoodies, because they do not have to bring a jacket