It'll do in a pinch

Nov. 8 – Salina, KS

Our first day in Kansas was spent on the fringe of Salina, in a surprisingly vast patch of asphalt retail on the south side of this small city. Although nothing would entice you to leave your room and venture into such wilderness, this was okay because for the first time we were enjoying living in suites. More accurately, these were single rooms with kitchenettes, but still our best appointed lodging so far. There was a pantry across the hall from which I could take groceries back to my room, paying through a slot on the honor system. And with free laundry, it doesn't get much better!

The second day, we got to see the town. I'd been through Salina once before and remember it as small, out of date, somewhat dilapidated. This time, it was bigger, busier, more alive. I don't know what changed other than perception, but there were lights, traffic, activity downtown. I thought perhaps we'd mistakenly landed in Canada, for there were people walking, of all things. (That might have to do with strategic placement of parking lots, actually.) The Stiefel Theatre was somewhat cramped inside, better decorated than the Waco Hippodrome but not much roomier. Outside, its marquee had genuine incandescent flashing lights; it gave me a bit of a headache, but at least it was authentic. It was a little like looking at those black-and-white photographs inside delicatessens, showing you how much more happening your downtown used to be. This one still looked similar to the photographs; I wonder what Salina knows that Abilene doesn't?

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