Kansas City: Hey-Hey-Hey-Hey!

 Saturday, August 2, 2014

A mere eight hour drive from Louisville, Kentucky to Kansas City, Missouri! It was a much different drive than Monday's. This one was even, with no hills, and few curves. Jonathan noted that the farm fields of Indiana reminded him of Holland. We drove through four states: Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois and Missouri.  Missouri tops the charts for the most billboards along the interstate.  Most interesting road sign goes to Indiana for "French Lick".

Saturday evening, Misha aka Mike, Jonathan's brother, joined us at our campsite.  Dinner was just a walk away --a  food truck from Bates City BBQ is conveniently located near the KOA office.

 Sunday, August 3, 2014

We met Misha & Deb for Sunday morning brunch at The Big Biscuit (they were!).  
Then, we strolled through Weston:                                                                                                  *Weston was at one time the second largest port on the Missouri river, surpassing both Kansas City and St. Joseph, however a flood in 1881 shifted the river into an old channel some 2 miles away. In 1850 over 265 steamboats a year docked at the Port of Weston.

*Lewis and Clark Expedition camped out near the location of today's city hall. 

* William Buffalo Bill Cody was at one time a resident of Weston.

*Weston is the home of McCormick Distilling Company,founded in 1856. It is the oldest whiskey distillery west of the Mississippi River and the oldest continuously operated distillery in the United States.

Misha is impatient for dinner.  

Deb's watchful eye. 

After dinner, we perused the "book exchange"-- not planned, but timely--  I had 2 books ready to exchange  in the truck!   

Monday, August 4, 2014

JD and I motored to Kansas City.  

We strolled through the shops in the Kansas City River Market.  The farmer's market happens on the weekend. But, there were some shops open, and some fruit and vegetable stands. We were able to purchase most of our fruit & vegetables locally sourced!  Our online research told us about a visitor's centre that is walking distance from the market. Parking is free in the market, so we did not want to move our truck from this prime parking spot!   These are some pics from the journey.

No difficulty finding the street or the building. But the building turned out to be a 30 floor office tower. We traveled to the second floor, and confirmed with the security guard at the information desk that we were in the right building.  He replied "it's on the 22nd floor".  Betty, at the Visitor's Centre, was very helpful. She's used to people not being able to find her.  There were no signs on the street level. Most tourists she provides information to are staying at local hotels.

We returned to Skylark with food for our pantry and lots of brochures to plan our week.
A restful afternoon and evening, chatting with our neighbours, reading, and bbqing Kansas City strip steak.