(Everyone, be sure to click the pix to see the larger shots!)
Well, here we are FINALLY together!
This is Thursday evening at the Kansas City airport where we all met. This was the most awesome trip (thanks for the plane ticket, Cheryl!) and I know that none of us would trade it for anything. Talk about getting to know each other::: we cried, we laughed, we felt like we'd always known each other all our lives. I think one of the most important things we learned is that no matter what our childhoods were like or all we'd been through (and it wasn't pretty!) we all beat the odds; we all stopped the perpetual motion of an historical dysfunction in our parents' lives. I say we are AWESOME!! I love you guys and & it's wonderful to know you're in my life now. Here's Jeanie on the left & Cheryl's sitting. Jeanie's from Oregon and Cheryl's from California. We do hope to try and meet at least once a year if at all possible.
Hey, did any of ya'll find that "fax numer"? LOL!
Well, here we are FINALLY together!
This is Thursday evening at the Kansas City airport where we all met. This was the most awesome trip (thanks for the plane ticket, Cheryl!) and I know that none of us would trade it for anything. Talk about getting to know each other::: we cried, we laughed, we felt like we'd always known each other all our lives. I think one of the most important things we learned is that no matter what our childhoods were like or all we'd been through (and it wasn't pretty!) we all beat the odds; we all stopped the perpetual motion of an historical dysfunction in our parents' lives. I say we are AWESOME!! I love you guys and & it's wonderful to know you're in my life now. Here's Jeanie on the left & Cheryl's sitting. Jeanie's from Oregon and Cheryl's from California. We do hope to try and meet at least once a year if at all possible.
Hey, did any of ya'll find that "fax numer"? LOL!
This is the 3 of us in the bushes at the Elms
The next 3 pix were taken at William Jewell College, one of the oldest colleges west of the Mississippi. It is a private liberal arts college, established in 1894.
Jeanie! You look like a tiny little girl in the huge chair at the Sheraton. We had a yummy meal here Thursday night, complete with a waitress (bless her heart) who dumped an entire glass of red wine all over us, our clothes, and our table. Oh well, we did get a free dessert out of the deal!
The Elms Hotel was a favorite haunt of the infamous Al Capone. Former president Harry Truman also enjoyed the Elms and its European-style spa. Truman stayed at the Elms on the night of his victory over Thomas Dewey in the 1948 presidential election.
An independent film (cast & crew in pic above) was made here at the Elms. "Fling" or it might keep it's original name "Lie to Me", has various release dates in 2008. It's a romantic comedy/drama. The film will premiere to the public on 11-14 in Kansas City, where they will also hold their premier party. You can visit the website here<-
Also, as you can see by the photo below, the Elms was a favorite of the Rat Pack.
Pix don't even do this place justice. It's soooo massive, built with huge limestones. The grounds are nice too!
Above is a display that depicts the story about the original "Uncle Sam"
Now this is a really cool, spooky Halloween decoration!
This is the historic "Hall of Waters"
Back in the 1900's people came from all over the world to sit at a gigantic water bar (like a salad bar) and they'd drink a "healing water" of their choice. This building is beautiful inside with lots of colorful art deco tile work that seems to have been the in thing around Kansas City.
More cool architecture...
A wonderful lady we met named Elsie Tackett. She's over 80 and she still walks 2 miles a day. It was so cool to find out that she's got relatives in Oregon, near where Jeanie lives! Elsie filled us in on some local history and even walked out of her way to show us how to get back to the Elms. Thanks Elsie! We're sending her a copy of this pic too.
We had a fantastic bbq lunch at "Washbash BBQ"
This is an old train station turned into a rustic restaurant.
The Wabash Cannonball used to stop here..remember the song?
Hey, if you take pix of the wall art you don't have to buy postcards! LOL!
Our poor, poor waitress! She did an excellent job and thanks to my getting distracted, I totally forgot to tip her! I am soooooo ashamed! SORRY!
Friday Note: I was totally traumatized by my cousins when they forced me to watch "MamaMia"!! Then I was happy when I saw Pierce Brosnan was one of the stars. Then my happiness (lust) turned into even more trauma when he started singing, which he CAN'T! Thanks girls for totally bursting my brosnan-bubble! waaahhhh!!!!! But hey, at least the jacuzi was soooo wonderfully warm & relaxing and the pizza was delicious & cheap! Yeah!
The Plaza or "Market Square" was a great place to take in the local architecture, shop in unique stores, and eat lots of good food. We had a wonderful outdoor lunch on a terrace, including watching the umbrellas blow away Mary Poppins style...straight up! A wedding party was having their photos made on the large, tiled steps (below). After lunch we ended up eating again at the Cheesecake Factory...sure was delicious!
The next 3 pix were taken at William Jewell College, one of the oldest colleges west of the Mississippi. It is a private liberal arts college, established in 1894.
Jeanie! You look like a tiny little girl in the huge chair at the Sheraton. We had a yummy meal here Thursday night, complete with a waitress (bless her heart) who dumped an entire glass of red wine all over us, our clothes, and our table. Oh well, we did get a free dessert out of the deal!FRIDAY: Excelsior Springs, MO
On Friday we hopped in the car and picked a spot on the local map, looking for a little adventure. While looking for Kearney, we ended up in Excelsior Springs. What a find! We all decided it was like a little Norman Rockwell town. There was even a homecoming game parade twisting its way down the curvy main street. Everyone we met was so so friendly & helpful.
WILLOW SPRINGS MERCANTILE
Here's the nicest guy named Jim. He and his wife and 4 year old son, Colt, own & run a very nice shop, complete with wine sampling. We checked out the main level store and then down to the basement for ice water, conversation and a little git-fiddlin'.... Please visit their website here<-
Thanks for your very friendly hospitality, Jim!
On Friday we hopped in the car and picked a spot on the local map, looking for a little adventure. While looking for Kearney, we ended up in Excelsior Springs. What a find! We all decided it was like a little Norman Rockwell town. There was even a homecoming game parade twisting its way down the curvy main street. Everyone we met was so so friendly & helpful.
WILLOW SPRINGS MERCANTILE
Here's the nicest guy named Jim. He and his wife and 4 year old son, Colt, own & run a very nice shop, complete with wine sampling. We checked out the main level store and then down to the basement for ice water, conversation and a little git-fiddlin'.... Please visit their website here<-
Thanks for your very friendly hospitality, Jim!
THE ELMS HOTEL
The Elms Hotel was a favorite haunt of the infamous Al Capone. Former president Harry Truman also enjoyed the Elms and its European-style spa. Truman stayed at the Elms on the night of his victory over Thomas Dewey in the 1948 presidential election.An independent film (cast & crew in pic above) was made here at the Elms. "Fling" or it might keep it's original name "Lie to Me", has various release dates in 2008. It's a romantic comedy/drama. The film will premiere to the public on 11-14 in Kansas City, where they will also hold their premier party. You can visit the website here<-Also, as you can see by the photo below, the Elms was a favorite of the Rat Pack.
Pix don't even do this place justice. It's soooo massive, built with huge limestones. The grounds are nice too!
Above is a display that depicts the story about the original "Uncle Sam"
Now this is a really cool, spooky Halloween decoration!
This is the historic "Hall of Waters"Back in the 1900's people came from all over the world to sit at a gigantic water bar (like a salad bar) and they'd drink a "healing water" of their choice. This building is beautiful inside with lots of colorful art deco tile work that seems to have been the in thing around Kansas City.
More cool architecture...
A wonderful lady we met named Elsie Tackett. She's over 80 and she still walks 2 miles a day. It was so cool to find out that she's got relatives in Oregon, near where Jeanie lives! Elsie filled us in on some local history and even walked out of her way to show us how to get back to the Elms. Thanks Elsie! We're sending her a copy of this pic too.
We had a fantastic bbq lunch at "Washbash BBQ"This is an old train station turned into a rustic restaurant.
The Wabash Cannonball used to stop here..remember the song?
Hey, if you take pix of the wall art you don't have to buy postcards! LOL!
Our poor, poor waitress! She did an excellent job and thanks to my getting distracted, I totally forgot to tip her! I am soooooo ashamed! SORRY!Friday Note: I was totally traumatized by my cousins when they forced me to watch "MamaMia"!! Then I was happy when I saw Pierce Brosnan was one of the stars. Then my happiness (lust) turned into even more trauma when he started singing, which he CAN'T! Thanks girls for totally bursting my brosnan-bubble! waaahhhh!!!!! But hey, at least the jacuzi was soooo wonderfully warm & relaxing and the pizza was delicious & cheap! Yeah!
SATURDAY
Kansas City is also known as the "City of Fountains"
There are so many gorgeous fountains with "Neptune" type sculptures.
Kansas City is also known as the "City of Fountains"
There are so many gorgeous fountains with "Neptune" type sculptures.
The Plaza or "Market Square" was a great place to take in the local architecture, shop in unique stores, and eat lots of good food. We had a wonderful outdoor lunch on a terrace, including watching the umbrellas blow away Mary Poppins style...straight up! A wedding party was having their photos made on the large, tiled steps (below). After lunch we ended up eating again at the Cheesecake Factory...sure was delicious!
Posing with the bronze bull soon turned into a bull riding competition;
I'll let you choose who the winner was!
Ahhh...the Kansas City sun sets on a wonderful trip;
this was the awesome view from our room at the Courtyard Marriott
I'll let you choose who the winner was!
Ahhh...the Kansas City sun sets on a wonderful trip;this was the awesome view from our room at the Courtyard Marriott
