Where is your ideal Labor Day destination? Is it Manhattan, Kansas? Perhaps you've booked your hotel room and used up all of the gas at a roadside Conoco! If so, you win! You beat us. That's right, our attempts at another hotel room with a bedside jacuzzi (or any hotel room) were dashed because of Labor Day travelers. Likewise, we attempted to pump gas at a station completely devoid of the oh-so-necessary fuel! Good thing we had enough gas and Kate just remembered she knows someone in Lawrence, KS!
So, after Kate thinking we were in Kansas during most of our drive through Missouri, we arrived in Kansas City (Missouri). It was pretty, especially the lightning in the backdrop. Big ole raindrops were not so welcoming however. Afraid my car would stall out or I would hydroplane in standing water, we pulled over 10 minutes away from meeting our college friend at our destination: Eden Valley. Finally the rain subsided and we met our friend and my juggling grandfather (the person who taught the person who taught me how to juggle!), Greg! I hadn't seen him in at least 5 years!
Sadly we will miss the Kansas City site that my Grandpa suggested: Subtropolis. It was closed for Labor Day weekend, which makes sense because, although it's completely underground, it is an industrial hub! Next time I pass through this area I also want to visit the Insect Zoo in Manhattan, KS. Perhaps I'll even splurge on a guided tour!
Only one more state to go!
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Friday, September 2, 2011
Winding my Way West
When you think about Nashville, you think about country music. But, the question is, do you think about Andrew Jackson? Amanda, my college friend and Murfreesboro tour guide, drove us to The Hermitage, Andrew Jackson's estate. They had a lovely audio walking tour (yay for not having to stop and read things when you are pressed for time!) and gardens with some of my favorite plants: zinnias and oregano!
This morning, Kate and I left Amanda and hit the road to Missouri! Half way along the way, we finished our YA audiobook and returned it at one of the millions of Cracker Barrels we've seen along the way. Our adventures in MO have been among my favorite on the whole trip. I tried some genuine St. Louis pretzels and Frozen Custard at Ted Dewes, BUT best of all, I rode a little pod car with four other tourists to the top of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial (aka the St. Louis Arch or the Gateway to the West). So cool! We were 630 ft. in the air with a great view of the Mississippi (which we crossed a whopping 3 times today!), the baseball stadium (where a game was being played!), the Old Courthouse, and the St. Louis Cathedral.
Apparently we are in the West now!
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| Rear of The Hermitage |
This morning, Kate and I left Amanda and hit the road to Missouri! Half way along the way, we finished our YA audiobook and returned it at one of the millions of Cracker Barrels we've seen along the way. Our adventures in MO have been among my favorite on the whole trip. I tried some genuine St. Louis pretzels and Frozen Custard at Ted Dewes, BUT best of all, I rode a little pod car with four other tourists to the top of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial (aka the St. Louis Arch or the Gateway to the West). So cool! We were 630 ft. in the air with a great view of the Mississippi (which we crossed a whopping 3 times today!), the baseball stadium (where a game was being played!), the Old Courthouse, and the St. Louis Cathedral.
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| View of stadium and the Old Courthouse from the top of the 630 ft arch! |
Apparently we are in the West now!
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