USA – the MIDDLE

B&C’s Daughter Kim and Daughter Kim’s Boyfriend Ross.

Here’s a photo of Bill and Cheryl from their last cruise which I am including because they both look their most handsome, happiest best.

The gang gathered in celebration of Cheryl’s birthday! Cheryl; Lydia, their friend and one-time employee of Bill; Ken; Kim; Ross; Bill.

We took a tour and we all Looved the docent.

(I just noticed – isn’t it fun, the contradiction between words and image.)

May 25

This was a great day – a day of discovery! Here is a helicopter photo from the internet of the totally fabulous Nelson-Atkins Museum with the new addition under construction.

They are now completing a massive expansion designed by one of those celebrity architects (Steven Holl) and named the Bloch Building. I’ve seen write-ups on this all over the place and was especially looking forward to visiting here. The new wing won’t be open until early June but it was still very fun to see.

There’s another one of those shuttlecocks further down the lawn and one in back too.

At the back. I was so taken with this place, really. I think the shuttlecocks are Fab. This is a commissioned piece and the artist envisioned the museum itself as the net and placed the pieces around as though a game were in action.

It’s amazing I think, about these gigantic commissioned pieces. Basically, you take what you get, and what you get is going to be Big.

Then we went on to Country Club Plaza.

From their website: ‘Technically this is a collection of buildings, but it was all envisioned by the same man: J.C. Nichols. In 1922 the Country Club Plaza became the first suburban shopping center.’

From another site: ‘Those who have traveled overseas might take a second look at the statue of Winston Churchill. Just steps away two of Spain’s landmarks – the Giralda Tower and the Seville Light – tower majestically on the horizon. Down the street in a quiet courtyard sits an original bronze of Pomona by Italian sculptor Donatello Gabrielli.

‘Is this England? or maybe Spain? or could it be Italy? What a surprise to the traveler to find these magnificent European works of art in the heart of a Kansas City.’

Remember that story about KC having the most fountains of any city in the World? That’s what every KC website proclaims. They are indeed Everywhere…

And Daisy the Dog.

Bill and Cheryl’s lovely home.

We had dinner at a Meat Place, called Jack Stack in Overland Park, that was so deeelish. They still smoke in restaurants here. That’ll take you a-back!

Union Station opened in 1914 and was restored in 1999. It is the second largest train station in the US (only NY’s Grand Central is larger) and it’s true that the interior spaces are enormous both in height, width, and solidity.

In the airport. Toto! There’s no place like home!

May 24

We gathered our wits and a little before noon headed out for the day.

First stop – Kim’s store. Oh sure, she just looved seeing her mom and her mom’s friends pour into her store while she was at work, calling out to all her colleagues and generally making a fuss. Sure she did.

Ken got so excited. A robin! A robin! He said he hadn’t seen a robin in forever.

Lunch at the Elephant Bar. It’s a chain, but I’ve never been in one.

You absolutely can’t can’t Can Not believe the real estate available out here. As far as the eye can see, which is very very far, are faaabulous housing developments (4 bedrooms, 3 baths, finished basement – $280,000) with names like Hampton Place and Wilderness Park surrounded by Every Single Gigantic GiGantic outdoor mall and chain stores the size and number of which you Can Not believe.

Ken and Cheryl posing for a photo-op at Fritz’s Railroad Restaurant where a little train overhead brings your food to a rack beside your table that then lowers for your dining convenience.

Downtown Kansas City MO. We’re in the revolving bar at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Crown Center, Crown Center being the complex that contains the marvelously refurbished train depot, Union Station, and a shopping complex containing the Hallmark Cards Visitor’s Center.

The classically styled beige building in the foreground at the far left was originally the Kansas City Power and Light Building and was the tallest building in Missouri in 1931 when it was built.

There is a modern glass tower behind it intended to echo the KCPL building. Built in 1988 it is now the tallest structure in KC.

That low circular building in the center is a new arena still under construction.

You can traverse the whole Crown Center complex of shops, office buildings, Union Station, and hotels using The Link, a glass walkway about 2-3 stories above ground. It’s especially welcome in the winter and a fun shortcut in better weather.

Bill’s plane was 1 1/2 hours late. This is the scene driving to the airport.

NOTE! Old Pictures from a Long Time Ago!!

May 23, 2007

It appears, from closer inspection of an actual map (acquired from the internet so no guarantees there…) that KC, KS and KC, MO are only partly bisected by a river. That’s the Missouri River up there in big river blue.

Then coming off that is the Kansas River separating KC, KS from the KS residential suburbs including Bill and Cheryl’s place in Overland Park.

At least that’s what I think I’m seeing. Live and learn. I’m in the airport now waiting for Ken and Cheryl. I’m intending that before this trip is over I’ll have figured out the whole river-city thing.