And so started one of the most potentially boring journeys in human history, the long trek across western Kansas in the dead of winter. Normally, Kansas is flat and featureless, but with a light covering of snow, you might as well be driving across a 400-mile long sheet of white typing paper. Road hypnosis is a given. Prayer and caffinated beverages are strongly advised.

Once you reach Colorado, though, structures and small towns begin to dot the landscape. These mostly consist of grain storage bins, but later turn into more interesting objects. I always like to take a break and look at the military craft that rural citizens have put on display in parks and along side VFW posts.