Stephen H. Long Trail 1819 — 1820

Day 22: September 14th, 2008 Wichita — Ponca City

Map Wichita to Ponca City

Today I slept in again. It’s already 8am when I eventually wake up. However, I am still earlier at the IHOP than yesterday. Today there are not as many people lining up as the day before. Also my breakfast is served way quicker than yesterday. Furthermore, the amount is still plenty enough. This time I take strawberry for the crêpes. This also tastes very good.

Highway 54/400, Wichita, KS

Around ten I make a brief stop at Wal–Mart to get some CDs. Around half past ten I am finally back on the road. First I take Highway 54 West out of Wichita.

Backroad, KS

Next I reach Derby and cross the Arkansas River before I turn onto the gravel roads again.

S Oliver St, KS

E 130th Ave N, KS

You can clearly see the results of the rain from the last couple of days, because I pass a lot of flooded fields.

N Rock Rd, KS

N Rock Rd, KS

Again I cross the Arkansas River before I drive through Mulvane. Then I turn onto gravel roads again.

N Old Goat Ranch Rd, KS

E 90th Ave, Arkansas River, KS

N Greenwich Rd, KS

N River Rd, KS

N River Rd, KS

N Greenwich Rd, KS

But slowly you also see the results of the flooding also on backroads, because I must turn around a couple of times due to flooded backroads.

N River Rd, KS

N River Rd, KS

N River Rd, KS

Grasshopper Valley Rd, KS

Valley Rd, KS

E 50th Ave N, KS

N Webb Rd, KS

N Webb Rd, KS

E 60th Ave N, KS

Again and again I am forced to turn around due to flooded backroads.

E 60th Ave N, KS

E 60th Ave N, KS

N Rock Rd, Ninnescah River, KS

E 40th Ave N, KS

If you are driving on backroads and cross rivers on smaller bridges, you really start thinking whether these bridges are really able to withstand the water forces…

N Summer Ave, Oxford, KS

202nd Rd/CR4, KS

11th Rd, KS

222nd Rd, KS

222nd Rd, Slate Creek, KS

E 80th St, KS

Finally I am driving through Oxford and continue on backroads. But even paved roads are flooded and force me to drive a detour. This tremendously extends my driving time.

Because I was forced to turn around due to flooding, I drive once again through Oxford. On Highway 160 I cross the Arkansas River.

172nd Rd, KS

31st Rd, KS

41st Rd, KS

But also the next attempt to drive on gravel roads forces me to turn around due to flooding.

Highway 77, Arkansas River, Arkansas City, KS

61st Rd, KS

91st Rd, KS

In Arkansas City a shuttle bus company owner starts a chat with me. He moved to this area from New Hampshire. His depot is not far from here and if the river rises more it is really in danger! He tells me that in Winfield is a huge event where they evacuated a whole campground. Now a river runs through the middle of this place!

I say thank you for all the information. However, I still try to stick to my planned tour. But I must drive a whole bunch of detours to get around the high water.

11th Rd, KS

332nd Rd, State Line KS and OK

N Enterprise Rd, OK

332nd Rd, State Line KS and OK

N Longwood Rd, Chilocco Creek, OK

N Enterprise Rd, OK

But also at the state line to Oklahoma, things on the backroads are not getting better.

N Traders Bend Rd, OK

N Traders Bend Rd, OK

N Traders Bend Rd, OK

East River Rd, Newkirk Bridge, Arkansas River, OK

East River Rd, Newkirk Bridge, Arkansas River, OK

When I drive on paved roads over the Newkirk Bridge the Arkansas River shows you very impressive how he has flooded the whole area.

Dry Rd, OK

N Bear Creek Rd, OK

Canteen Rd, OK

Canteen Rd, OK

Canteen Rd, OK

Then I am actually able to drive some backroads where I am not forced to turn around and drive detours.

Hardy Ln, OK

E Furguson Ave, Washunga Bay, OK

Finally I am back on paved roads and reach on Furgusen Avenue Washunga Bay.

Highway 11, Arkansas River, OK

Kaw Dam Rd, Arkansas River, OK

Highway 60, OK

In the area of Kaw Lake things are eventually getting better.

Around half past seven I check in at the Super 8 in Ponca City. For dinner they recommend the Rusty Barrel. It seems that the motel was once an independent motel because it is not built in the typical Super 8 style. All rooms are on ground level where you can park directly in front of your room.

I quickly put my stuff into the room. Then I leave for dinner. After searching around for a while I finally discover the restaurant. But it is closed! Unfortunately I have not been looking what else would be around here. I continue driving on this road. But the only thing I am able to find beside Chinese restaurants is a Perkins. So I give this one a try.

In front of me is a huge group of people. Finally it is my turn and I receive my table. My server is pretty amazed that someone from Germany is staying in this small Ponca City! Unfortunately there is not much time for talking, because things are really busy right now.

Around half past nine I am again back at my motel. First, I check my emails. Unfortunately, the network goes down in the middle of my work and all of my written email is gone. Pretty annoyed I try to establish another connection. But it is not working. So I start writing my diary first. Because I am pretty tired and it is already half past eleven I decide to immediately go to bed. Tonight I will sleep once again with my ear plugs because the highway is pretty noisy…

The next day is in preparation…