SInce I got back from the wrestling tournament in Osborne two weeks ago Saturday, I have hardly left Russell. The only times I have left have been to go to Hays for errands, Victoria for the basketball games Tuesday, and to Lincoln last night for wrestling.

That changes in a little bit. I’m leaving for a very long trip to Norton for the Bluejays’ basketball doubleheader vs. Smith Center. It’s a two-hour drive up there, with the second half of the drive on the two-lane US 283, which has been known to be frequented by wildlife. I’ve seen more than my fair share of deer on the road, and I’m fortunate I haven’t hit one, because it is a long way from civilization in some stretches.

I’m staying in Norton overnight at the lovely Sleep Inn. Hard to believe a town the size of Norton (3,200) and far away from any interstate highway would have a national chain hotel, but they’ve done it right in Norton. The best part is the waffles for breakfast.

I’m also going to see a lot of people I’ve met through the years at Norton. Peggy Cox has been begging me to come, because her daughter Caitlyn and son Conor play basketball for the Bluejays. I found the Smith Center games on the schedule and decided to make the pilgrimage. She’s excited to say the least.

As for the games, the girls game should be competitive. Norton hasn’t beaten Smith Center for quite some time, but the Lady Red is without their All-League center, Drew Mann, who is still recovering from a partially dislocated kneecap she suffered in the season opener vs. Plainville Dec. 5. The boys game I don’t expect to be as close. The Bluejay boys are coming off the championship of the Goodland tournament, and the Redmen are 1-4.

I plan on a trip to Kansas City this weekend. Just don’t know if I”m going to go back to I-70 and go through Russell, or I’m going straight east on US 36. My guess is because of the distance involved, it may not be an advantage to take 36. I have time to think about that.