I'm from Kansas. That drive across I-70 is bleak. You go thru the Konza Prairie outside of Manhattan, which is pretty. There's some hiking there, and it's kind of like a desert, and it's probably going to be cold/wet/something. Getting off of I-70 and driving around on some state highways might be more interesting. There are some funky, sad, cool, depressing little towns out there. You're from Indiana, so maybe you understand.
Eastern Colorado is even bleaker than western Kansas, so enjoy that.
Also, enjoy all the porno and Jesus billboards along I-70 in Missouri. Cahokia, outside of East St. Louis, is a dope Mississippian archaeological site. Check that out if you're into Indians. Moundbuilders. You have some sites in IN, too
