<FONT size=3>Katie, another west-Kansas favorite is a real surprise for you. Come east or motor west on 96 and turn north at Scott City. Eight miles up there is a most comfortable and wildife-filled state park with the biggest Sycamore trees I've ever seen; 10-12 foot diameter trunks, along a creek behind an old stone house built by the settler. Well, European settler. There also is the most north pueblo site there, dating to 8-14 thousand years ago. Some easy hills to climb. A little lake. Lotsa nice rangers and hostess. </FONT><br><FONT size=3></FONT> <br><FONT size=3>On east on 96, then 56 from Great Bend, you can have a nice peaceful and economical time at the county park southeast ofMarion in Marion County. You may need to stop on the highway to get maneuvering directions as its on streets, not much signage.</FONT><br><FONT size=3></FONT> <br><FONT size=3>Then, only after you've suitably prepared yourself by reading Least Heat Moon's "Prairy Erth," stop at Cottonwood Falls. Some free to cheap 6-10 places to put the rig downtown while exploring the places and people you've then read about.</FONT><br><FONT size=3></FONT> <br><FONT size=3>I have more. Free spots under the cottonwoods and on the river at Chetopa and Baxter Springs city parks on 160 in southeast Kansas. etc. Walking the wagon tracks of the Santa Fe trail up by Cottonwood or west by Liberal. I could go on, but that'll give you something to work with in the land of Windwagon Smith.</FONT><br>