Topeka & Kansas City Tues 6th Aug

Was up early after another very bad thunderstorm last night. Went on for four hours! Sounded like lots of rain, thunder and lightening.  Tent held up with no problem and I slept through most of it.

When I got up no sign of any rain except rain drops on the tent and car.  By the time I was ready to pack tent, even that was dry.  Had a $6 breakfast at a seedy diner near the camp site, which was tasty. Full of good old boys and worn seating.

Went into the centre of Topeka and took some pictures of the capitol building, which like the one in Denver is covered in scaffolding!!  They all follow a classical design with some sort of dome with an iconic statue on the top. Oregon has the pioneer, Topeka has an Native Indian.

My camera does have a good zoom lens!!

I was heading for Kansas City which was about 50 miles away, still on I70 at around 10:30. My destination was the American Jazz Museum.  This part of my trip will now concentrate on areas of the US which are influencial in the development of jazz, blues and country.  I thought Kansas City would be a good start.

The museum is based on a re developed area of Vine Street, which was key to the development of many jazz clubs back in the 1930s onwards.  Live music is still played there and an amazing collection of short jazz films is housed there.

Its still mainly a black neighbourhood, but it is nicely done. My Father would have found it fascinating. Thanks Dad for my musical education.

After the Jazz museum, I was back on the road heading for St Louis and the central time zone.  

Managed to find a Budget Hotel (Room 113) off I70 for $34 with air con and other facilities about 50 miles from St Louis in Warrenton. I have driven just over  4,000 so far!!  Supposidly there are more thunderstorms tonight.  The hardest thing about sleeping in a tent in this region is the heat at night!!