Sonya, are you still looking for a couple of hitch hikers?

I might be interested. Any chance you might take I-80 and go thru Des Moines instead of KC? Just an idea. Or maybe I could drive down to KC to meet you - but I have no idea where I would leave my car.
I'm hoping to go to the meetup - but I need a roomie and my expenses to improve, as my job is so unsteady right now