On the Chisholm Trail

Not only is this trip a football trip, it is also a trip back in time.  After our morning breakfast, we had an after game debrief.  We were not overjoyed with our teams onfield performance, but in the light of day, it is still a win.  We will return home and await the arrival of our next opponent, La Tech.

Today we visited Fort Riley, Ks, the home of the 1st Cav, the U.S. Calvary Museum, and the Custer House.  The museum had very interesting displays and followed the history of the development calvary units in the U.S.Army.

Afterwards we visited the Custer House.  Imagine our disappointment when we found that the Custer House did not exist. ( It had been destroyed by fire).  Custer lived in Quarters #21.  They placed a sign in front of Quarters #24 and called it the Custer House.  Why?

We left Ft. Riley for Abilene, Ks, end of the Chisholm Trail and the childhood home of President Dwight Eisenhower and the Presidential Library and Museum.  I would suggest to any

 

one traveling this way to make plans to visit both museums.

We had a great meal at a local restaurant, Joe Snuffy's.  I recommend it also.

This will be the last entry for this blog.  We will be home on Sunday.  Be safe & War Eagle

We are headed  home

Jerry, Linda, Mary Ann, Linda, Mitch

Recruiting poster

Monument to the Calvary

Quarters #24, where Custer did not live

Dwight, Linda, Mamie, Jerry

DDE

Great restaurant

Risk, Reward

Sorry about the delay on this post.  We got back to our hotel late last night and either could go to bed or do the blog.  Went to bed.
We left Wichita in the Tahoe and headed for KSU.  The weather is beautiful, the drive very scenic, and we were cautiously optimistic about the football game that awaited our arrival.  The University of Arkansas game, not withstanding, this was a showdown between two top twenty teams, both undefeated, at their place, in front of a raucous crowd of 52,000 fans, just itching to knock off the defending SEC Champions.
After arriving on the campus, we were warmly greeted by many KSU fans.  The talked about their trip to Auburn several years ago and how much they enjoyed their trip to our place.
The Tiger Walk was great and the game started.  We had a nice breeze before the game and the temperature was warm. as the game progressed, the wind increased and the temperature dropped.  It was down right cold by the end of the game. 
I know most of you watched the game, so I won't bore you with a breakdown.  Needless to say, although we walked away with a win,  there is a certain amount of trepidation in the path that awaits our team as we turn our attention to the SEC schedule.
Great game, great fans, great company and great win.

Our destination

our little group

Hankins making friends

A wildcat

Tiger Walk, on the road

My friend, Gary Perkins

Football team in there somewhere

They were waiting for us..

In to the Heartland

Today started off like any other.  We met for breakfast and Hankins ordered  an omelet.  The waitress asked him what ingredients did he want.  He said surprise me.  Just give me everything.  I just wish I had a picture of his omelet.  After breakfast we headed for Kansas.  Hankins called Mitch and told him we were on the way.  A beautiful drive through the Ozark foothills.
Hankins broke up the trip with insightful commentary on the upcoming game.  What Auburn had to do to win the game, what KSU had to do to win the game.  What were the ramifications if Auburn won or if KSU won?  After we discussed this back and forth, we heard the news of the day...the latest Jameis Winston attempt to embarrass the FSU football team, Florida State University, the ACC, the NCAA, and college sports in general.  That took up the rest of the trip.  We could hardly wait until the Finebaum Show came on.

Steve Lane, with much thought, forecast the score of the game...Auburn 45 and KSU 21.  This just came in as I was typing the blog.

We left Arkansas, crossed Oklahoma, and entered  Kansas.  We arrived at Linda and Mitch's in good order.  Fantastic h'ordeurves,  drinks, steaks, salads, baked potatoes, and a dessert to die for. Mitch poured the wine and used a wine aerator.  Mitch said the aerator was used to enhance cheap wine.  It worked.  A festive occasion...tomorrow we head for Manhattan.

Hankins and Mitch

MaryAnn, Linda and Linda

Steaks by Mitch

Chef Mitch

Linda, Jerry,Linda, Mitch

Dessert by Linda Smith

Hankins, first in line for dessert

Our team

On our way to see the Tigers play

 

The Hatfields and the Hankins have been traveling together, following the Auburn Tigers , for over 20 years.  From the East to the West, from the North to the South.  We support our team.  We live well, travel well, and eat well.  We have seen the USA in support of this endeavor.        

 

Today we left Elmore County on our way to Manhattan, Ks to attend the Auburn-Kansas State football game with intermediate stops in Conway, Arkansas and Wichita, Ks.  We stopped in Tupelo, Ms for a delicious lunch at one of the most famous restaurants in the US,  Chick Filet.  After lunch we continued on our way.  After a harrowing trip through Memphis, (Hankins was driving), we arrived safely in Arkansas.  As I said, we eat well.  Tonight we stopped in Little Rock for a steak dinner at "Doe's Eat Place".  A place that I will heartily recommend and drive many miles to eat there.  Afterwards we returned to Conway to the Hilton Garden Inn. (Hilton points).  Tomorrow we head for Wichita, to the home of our dear friends, Linda and Mitch Smith.  We will stay there overnight and the 6 of us will go to Manhattan on Thursday.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On our way

Linda and Jerry

Linda, Mary Ann & Jerry Hankins

Lunch in Mississippi

Hankins in control

Auburn, fast

Jerry and I are listening to Finebaum and Linda and Mary Ann are playing games

A fine Little Rock eating establishment

Mary Ann, after Hankins finished the steak

Hankins, relaxed after dinner