Photo 1: Shayla Watts on the table in the laundromat.

Photo 2: Shayla age three.

Photo 3: View from the heart-shaped whirlpool.

Photo 4: Sunset along Kansas Avenue in McPherson.

Staying at: Red Coach Inn, McPherson, KS 67460 [tel. 800-362-0072 or 316-241-6960 Rm 175]

Distance traveled so far: 495.1 km (307.7 mi)

Last Modified on 9/24/1999 at 20:00:48

Day's Narrative: Today was a day to relax. I slept late then wandered down to the Best Western motel office to tell them of my decision to stay another night. However, it seems I need a room to spend another night. The Best Western was full because this weekend is the Scottish Festival.

This is an interesting festival. McPherson, after whom the town was named early in this century, was the highest ranking officer to die in the Civil War. He was never in McPherson, or even in Kansas.

Oh well, I went across the street to the Red Coach Inn where the only room available was the honeymoon suite, a spacious room complete with a red, heart -shaped whirlpool. Photo 3 shows the view of the room from a bubbling, frothing, red, heart-shaped whirlpool.

Connie and I went down the street to wash clothes at the local laundromat where I met Shayla Megan Watts. See photos 1 and 2. I'm not sure about the spelling of Shayla, and she couldn't help me since she's only three and can't spell her name yet.

Tomorrow the goal is Council Grove and the winds are favorable.

Change of plans: The only motel in Council Grove is full tomorrow night. We will be going to Emporia, and have reservations at the Best Western Hospitality House Motel, 316-342-7587. Small town Saturday night strikes again. Lots of small towns have weekend happenings. It's a good thing we called ahead.

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