From Oklahoma City, OK to Kansas City, KS 
From Oklahoma City, OK to Kansas City, KS
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Day of Travel
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Distance (in miles)
Distance (in kilometers)
Departure Time
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I was up early this morning, I have a long ride ahead so an early start would be a good thing. The hotel is adjacent to I-44, so I hope right on heading east. I get confused by a road sign and turn around -- I think I've missed my turn onto I-35 heading north. There is a huge reconstruction project going on in central Oklahoma City. I-44 is being used as part of a detour for I-35 during the construction. I saw a sign and thought that it was an exit sign: Next Exit to I-35. The next exit is not I-35 and so I figured I somehow overshot the off ramp. I end up all the way back to the onramp at the hotel. Well it turns out that I didn't miss any off ramp, what I saw was just a sign confirming that this was the I-35 construction detour. GRRRRRR!
While making this loop the loop, I noticed some unusual black smoke on the horizon. Last night, the news had a story about a Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) steam locomotive that would be operating this morning from Oklahoma City to a town called Perry. I figured out that the unique smoke pattern must be coming from the steam locomotive and I want to see it in motion. Initially it seems like I'm heading the same direction but then the smoke disappears.
I get off the interstate at Guthrie to have a quick McDonald's breakfast and fill up the gas tank. The breakfast is anything but quick but it is relatively tasty. The gas is gas, what can I say?
I am again struck this morning by how beautiful the countryside is in Oklahoma. Its not flat as I had expected -- there is a lot of rolling hills. I have a good chuckle as I pass the off ramp for Stillwater. Last night in the bar, a guy from Stillwater had tried to hit on me and the truck driver. It was a hysterical pickup line that went nowhere for several reasons. First, the man had no front teeth. Secondly, it was just so over the top. Finally, he probably could not have stood up without the assistance of the bar. When I went to get a fresh beer a few minutes later, I overheard him using the same approach on another guy. So it stuck in my head and gave me some amusement.
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Suddenly, I notice the black smoke again. I'm energized, I might get to see the train after all. Perry is only a few miles ahead. Perry is a small town, a grain elevator and a couple of blocks of central district and an accumulation of houses. Perry does have some industry including the Ditch Witch company. The train is parked on the tracks in the center of town. Everyone seems to be streaming down to have a look. In addition to the 1927 locomotive, there is also a long line of vintage coaches and special cars. I have to drive on some nasty road made from track ballast in order to get into position. I am always amazed by the size of these machines. There is a crew of six men tending to the locomotive. It seems like they are using a steam impact wrench to tighten the bolts on the drive mechanism and wheels. A local woman, tells me that there is a good vantage point a few blocks east where I can see the train under power as it departs. They are selling souvenir shirts and prints but I have no space on the bike for such things. I wander out to the edge of town where I find a local man already getting ready for his picture-taking. Two main lines leave Perry heading north and east. The main yard in Perry allows for a crossover between the two lines. As we wait, a freight train passes us on the near track. I'm anxious that the steam train will leave while our sight is blocked by the slow moving freight. Actually, I feel for the engineer. There are people all over the sides of the tracks. He has been blowing his whistle nonstop as he approaches and passes through town. But people are people and in the excitement of the moment, someone could do something stupid. But he passes safely and the steam train hasn't moved. We are joined by a man and a woman that want to take pictures as well. Soon another couple join us. It is really hot and humid and standing around in the chaps and long-sleeved shirt is tough. It is not so bad when you're moving but you stop for 45 minutes and you can really feel the heat. Our excitement grows as the locomotive begins to build up some steam. I cross both sets of tracks to take advantage of the better lighting from the south side. A motor home stops right at the tracks, blocking my view, to take pictures. I have to cross the tracks to the north side at double speed to get any video now. The train is in motion. I knew the locomotive would be noisy but I'm overwhelmed by the amount of reflected sound. It is like the entire town has come alive with mechanical sounds.
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Within a minute the train is in motion and passing by. Fifty feet past me standing too close to the track, the engineer releases his extra steam in a huge white cloud. Good day to be wearing the international orange T-shirt. A long line of old passenger and observation cars roll along behind the steam engine and a diesel helper engine just behind it.
The encounter with the steam locomotive was a literal blast from the past and entirely satisfying. I get back on I-35 heading north. The weather begins to worsen as I continue north. As I approach the Kansas border it looks like there may be some rain ahead or at least drizzle. I turn of the interstate to see some countryside and avoid the turnpike tolls. This is farm country again. The crops are in and growing. The plants are bright green.
I finally stop denying the likelihood of rain when I get to Wellington, Kansas. It has started to rain lightly. This is a Midwestern town centered around grain elevators. The rain worsens the closer I get to Wichita (pronounced in my mind as Why Cheetah? according to my friend Gordon from Wichita). I stop at an Applebees to get out of the rain and have lunch. This morning, the Weather Channel indicated this would be a very narrow front so I think it will pass in a short time.
Sure enough, lunch is over and the rain is diminishing. I'm running parallel to Interstate 35 on surface streets, trying to find my way to I-135. Of course I miss the turnoff and spend about twenty minutes wandering around Wichita in the light rain. Finally, I ask for directions and I'm back on track. Once I'm about fifteen miles north of Wichita, the rain has totally stopped and the sky is clearing.
At about the same time, I turn onto US 50 heading east. This is a really boring road. A four lane highway, it is in excellent condition. There isn't much traffic but most of it is big semi trucks really pushing the speed limit. I find myself feeling really sleepy, really sleepy like about to nod off to sleep. I pull off the highway at a small town called Strong City. I go into the grocery and pick up some snacks and something to drink. There is a small park with a big red caboose. I sit for a while snacking and watch this small town go about its business. The train station is not in service but it is a handsome limestone and brick building. At some point in the past, this was a big stop for passenger trains moving west.
Back on the road it is a short run to I-35 and then onto Lenexa just outside of Kansas City. It has been a really long day and I'm tired. A stay at a Days Inn and hide out in the motel room all night.
Keep reading as I go to Sioux Falls, Sd
Depart Oklahoma City on Interstate 44 heading east.
Transition to Interstate 35 heading north.
Exit onto US 64 heading east to visit Perry, OK
Depart Perry heading east on US 64.
Enter I-35 heading north.
Just south of Kansas border, turn off I-35 onto US177
Cross border into Kansas
Transition onto US 81
Get lost in Kansas City, get directions back onto I-135 heading north.
At Newton, KS exit I-135 onto US 50 heading east.
Near Emporia, KS enter I-35 heading north.
Arrive Kansas City, KS
(c) 2001 Thomas N. Engler Revision Date: 06/15/2001
