In January 2010, my mother and I took the train to Kansas City, Missouri. This is part 1 of our trip report, which includes comments from our original trip-report recipients.
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| Kansas City, WWI Museum, in the trenches. |
MZURI'S REPORT
Our train arrived at Kansas City's Union Station on Sunday afternoon. There'd been bit of a snafu about the tickets, but we straightened all of this out when we arrived.
While at the Union Station, we had lunch at the Harvey HouseDiner, where I was accosted by a Monte Cristo sandwich (who knew?). Carol had an always-reliable reuben. As to "who knew"? Carol evidently knew, but as she'd also been assaulted by one in the past, I think she felt secretly gleeful to witness another's demise. After I'd placed my order and the server had left, she did ask coyly, "Have you ever had a Monte Cristo?" Look it up. Shows the importance of clear writing; specifically, where the word "fried" sits in the description.
We're staying at Residence Inn Downtown/Union Hill. Very pleasant, like a studio apartment. Free shuttle service within five-mile radius. Free breakfast. Free light dinner Mondays through Wednesdays.
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| Kansas City, WWI Museum, in the trenches. |
Yesterday, Monday, we went to the Liberty
Memorial/WWI Museum. Very impressive museum. The trenches were especially
vivid due to the visual design and the audios of soldiers' descriptions of
their experiences in the trenches. There was a great movie that bridged the
European and American sections. The movie displayed on a corridor-length wall
that overlooked a battlefield diorama below. Exceptionally well-done. One
enters the museum proper by walking on a glass bridge that overlooks a
"field" of 9000 poppies.
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| Kansas City, WWI Museum. Glass walkway over field of poppies. |
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| Carol's father, WWI soldier |
[Note: The WWI Museum has particular interest for Carol, as her father fought in that war. He didn't like to talk about his experience there, but he made it clear the war was horrific.]
We enjoyed a quite respectable lunch at the Over There Cafe at the museum.
In late afternoon, a former colleague of mine came by for a visit. Carol joined in for awhile, and then Donna and I went to The Brick , funkyish little bar for its Monday-night Rural Grit Happy Hour. Rural Grit is a sort-of open mic deal. Music is roots, americana, bluesy/jazzy, folksy whatever kind of stuff. Some was great, some was ok, some interesting, and some godawful. Cool vibe there, though.
Weather dreary, but as with Chicago, there is a vast difference between vacationing in KC in dismal weather versus the Lake of the Ozarks. Vast.
In late afternoon, a former colleague of mine came by for a visit. Carol joined in for awhile, and then Donna and I went to The Brick , funkyish little bar for its Monday-night Rural Grit Happy Hour. Rural Grit is a sort-of open mic deal. Music is roots, americana, bluesy/jazzy, folksy whatever kind of stuff. Some was great, some was ok, some interesting, and some godawful. Cool vibe there, though.
Weather dreary, but as with Chicago, there is a vast difference between vacationing in KC in dismal weather versus the Lake of the Ozarks. Vast.
[Note: A week-long stay at Lake of the Ozarks the previous year, during the winter, was deadly. Dead. Ly. Nothing to do except visit the outlet mall. In Chicago there's plenty to do regardless of weather.]
CAROL'S REPORT
CAROL'S REPORT
Accurately reported by Mzuri. While the experience has been enjoyable,
engrossing and educational I feel as if we have been here for about a
week which makes the trip very economical. The weather, even tho gray and
foggy, is mild and we walk from our second floor "suite" in the
fourth building to the reception room where breakfast buffet is set up and a
roaring fire and newspaper cheers us up as we enjoy the vittles. Kansas
City, Missouri, seems newer than St. Louis which, of course, is true...smaller
also. After touring the Steamboat Arabia today, we plan to find a tour
bus or city bus and see more of the city. The Residence Inn provides us
with shuttle service within a five-mile perimeter which makes it only a cell
phone call away at any time up to 9 PM. By the way, the National WW1
Museum was wonderful - one of a kind as far as scope is concerned.
EMAIL RESPONSES TO DAILY LOG:
FROM SHILO GIRL:
EMAIL RESPONSES TO DAILY LOG:
FROM SHILO GIRL:
LOL. I have
heard the Monte Cristo sandwich story before. And I believe Mom ordered
it twice. The second time to give it another chance. I think she
was enticed by the picture of the sandwich on the wall of the restaurant (in
the Ameristar complex). Humorous to hear, not so to have been the
recipient of the sandwich.
I can picture her
internally enjoying the whole deal with you, from order, to presentation, to
finally the first bite! What a hoot! She can be so sly.
Sounds like you
are experience some promising "must-sees" for a future trip for me!
FROM STORMY:
So very happy to
receive your "report". I was having withdrawal symptoms.
Happy travels
girls!
FROM JACK:
Enjoying the travelogue. I am uncertain about references to Lake Ozark and Chicago. I know Chicago had a snowstorm while you were there. Sounded cold and oppressive, but survivable apart from the bus drivers. How do the three compare? Was Lake Ozark the worst or best under these circumstances? Anyway, enjoying immensely. Carry on people.
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