Well, I completed my trip to KSU two weekends ago, and 1,000 miles, and $230.00 in gas later, the F-150 did well on the trip, averaged 16.82 miles per gallon deducting the around-town driving in Manhattan, KS and Junction City (Which dropped the MPG to the 14.* range).

Driving impressions: My God. Oklahoma needs to spend some money oh their portion of I-35. North of Oklahoma City, the roads are as bad as any I've driven in the US (in patches). I mean, you don't expect a pothole when you're doing 70 MPH, especially a series of potholes (Southbound side).

Kansas: That's what I get for relying solely on the Navigation system and not bringing a map. From Wichita north, I had no clue where I was. But, Navi said keep straight, so I kept straight. It was right, it's just that I had no clue Kansas was that big. I still had 2h:30m of driving to do to get to KSU.

Talk about wide open spaces! The Army doesn't need to go to California for NTC, they can do that in Kansas. Never have I been anywhere I could see so far in either direction. Nothing but shrubs and land as far as they eye could see (And I have 20/15 Vision). The scenrey was awesome- and boring at the same time.

Contrary to popular belief, Kansas (At least eastern Kansas) is not as flat as I'd been told. It's pretty hilly in places. But, from Wichita to Junction City via Hwy 77, is 2.5 hours at 70 MPH of nothing. I recall two stop signs, one teeny town, and one traffic circle (round-a-bout). Aside from that- Nothingness. It was the nothingness that was boring, but the land was beautiful. Almost like Arizona, minus the mountains.

I didn't get to see much of KSU, aside from the basketball arena, where the graduation ceremony was held, and the adjoining football stadium (Impressive). I've got to make it up there for a game. Sis is gonna stay in Manhattan, so I'll have other opportunities to make it up there, now.

But, at $4 - $10 a gallon, it may be cheaper to fly. At any rate, the 150 won't be going back, confident cruiser though it may be.

Holla...

2006 F-150 SuperCrew XLT, 4.6L, 13,493 miles on the odometer at the beginning, 14,498 on the return.

 

Kansas is soooooooo boring. It's the same freaking grass field for a few hundred miles...

 

It is what you make it to be...just like anything else

 

kansas is pretty boring, but I must say Oklahoma is the most boring state I've ever been to

 

Hersh, you think 77 from Wichita to Manhattan was brutal, take a turn West when you hit I-70. Mile after endless mile of soybeans, wheat, and feedlots.

I actually grew up in the SE part of the state where it is greener and more "lively" if you will. You journeyed through what's known as the Flint Hills surrounding the Manhattan, KS region. The Konza Prairie makes up much of the area around 77 and I-70. Next trip, make sure to check out the view at sunset at the Scenic Overlook south of Manhattan on 77, West side of the highway.

If you do attend a game, be sure it is a Big XII game. KSU schedules earlier season opponents as more of a practice schedule than anything else. Blowouts of 66-7 are not unheard of in past years which makes for a pretty boring experience. The stadium is generally full and rowdy playing Kansas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, or Texas.

Good to know you had a decent trip, find your way to Aggieville next time...while semester is in session obviously.

 

I've done I-70 across the entire state of Kansas 4 times in a Ford Escort wagon. Two round trips from PA to Colorado and back. Words can not describe how long that trip across Kansas is....

 

I'd never been in that part of the country before, I thought the nations breadbasket was further west- but man, there were grain elevators everywhere, and a mammoth one in Wichita- made the grin elevators we have in Louisiana look wimpy.

We did see a little of downtown Manhattan, and what seemed to be the hang out spot for the college kids and young soldiers. My sister held her reception down there. I forget the name of the street and the venue. But, I see you guys have some hotties tucked in up there in Kansas . Not to mention a few slobs (Guys)...

The graduation was for the Grad school, and everyone participating was either receiving their Doctorate or Masters. A few slobs had on short pants and flip flops under their robes (I just happened to be sitting right by where they exited the collesieum.)

There are a few times in life when one should try to look their best (Clean shaven, slacks, shirt & tie- minimum). I think getting a Masters or a PhD. qualifies as one of those times. (Along with wedding, prom, job interviews, etc...)

 

Last week I drove from Amarillo Texas up to Garden City Kansas. I made the trip at night and there wasnt even an open gas station the whole 230 mile trip. Nothing but farms and silos.

Why are you going to Dallas Crazed?

 

The world's largest grain elevator is located in Hutchinson, KS. About 1/2-mile long. However, you may have seen it's twin in Wichita.



Yeah, I don't know what it is about grad students and their shaggy state of appearance. I guess when you are in college that long, you realize your personal hygiene doesn't affect your grades or something.

They better be prepared for a stiff reality check, or a McDonald's check...one of the two.

 

Hey, C's and D's get degrees too...

 

Not in Grad school....

You have to have a 3.0 cumulative GPA to graduate. Only two C's are allowed in an entire 36 Semester hour program- but, at some point, you have to get two A's to balance them out.

Yep, that looks just like that big so & so I saw in Wichita. Heading home (Southbound) you can really get a good look at it, and see all the rails, and trains down there waiting to load up.

I know seeing a grain elevator may not be as impressive to some as seeing, say- the Empire State Building- but to see any building that big, was impressive to me.

 

You want to see a huge building, the Hyundai factory in Pohang, S. Korea must be a mile long. Dunno what they build there - Hyundai makes a lot more than cars.

 

Believe it or not, they make STEEL. They have their own steel mill and fabrication shop. They make GIANT beams there.