Don't get me wrong, there were many things to do in Kansas: The Prairie Museum, Chrysler's Boyhood Home, Eisenhower's Library & Museum, and the one that almost got me, The Oz Museum! Unfortunately, none of these were in Salina, and I'm on a mission to get to Kentucky & Tennessee before the nights get too cold! Western Kansas looked like I pictured it but as I moved East, golden rolling hills appeared that were quite beautiful.
I'm now enjoying Columbia, Missouri (population: 115,000), a university town that's quite quaint. Main street is well-preserved and interesting; there's a multi-use trail throughout the city; and the U of Missouri campus is quite nice. I've biked and walked most of this town in the past 24 hours & could certainly spend more time here. That said, tomorrow, the tent goes up at Land Between the Lakes. Update to come when I return to the grid!