Thursday - August 20

I am sitting here with ice on the shoulder for 10 minutes after doing my therapy - definitely some different exercises than I did 5 years ago.    So.....we are at the Marriott Downtown, Kansas City and looking forward to getting acquainted with this town
(my first visit - Mark was here several years ago with State Farm).  

 

We started the day with a fabulous breakfast at the Reagan's Queen Anne Bed and Breakfast in  Hannibal - peach/cranberry stuffed croissants  with warm vanilla sauce and egg cups with smoked ham, pineapple salsa and sharp cheddar.   Everything was wonderful!   Enjoyed visiting with Norm and Judy and compared notes on our military sons.    Judy's Grandfather was the first manager of the original Steak 'n Shake in Normal, IL (a sister city to Bloomington)     Also, Norm and Judy have had guests from many countries and all 50 states, except Rhode Island,
but they are working on that.

Judy and Norm 

Breakfast...

 

 

We left Hannibal at 9:30 and had a nice 3.5 hour ride to Kansas City stopping in Blue Springs at Camping World.   It was a grand day for traveling.

 

Checked into our room, changed clothes and added tennies and off we went.   Walked a few blocks and as we were crossing I-70 walking over a bridge....whoaaaa....there was the roar of the blue/gold jets and we were back with our Blues!    They arrived in town late this morning and were scoping out the area, getting their bearings, etc. which happens every Thursday when they arrive in a new location.    So, as many times as we've seen them, still can't stop being in awe watching and listening to them AND knowing Ryan is up there!

 

One of the tourist spots in KC that Norm and Judy mentioned was The Arabia Steamboat Museum.   We walked there and along the way, met a nice guy who was very familiar with KC and had all kinds of thoughts on what we should do, where we should eat, etc.

 

We had never heard of the Arabia which was a huge cargo steamboat that departed Kansas City and one hour or 6 miles later, it hit a submerged tree and immediately sank on September 5, 1856.    Goods were to be delivered to 16 towns along the Missouri  There were 130 passengers/crew onboard and all were rescued.    The steamboat was traveling to NE and full of merchandise that would stock the shelves of many general stores.
 

After 131 years it was finally discovered in a farmer's field and the excavation began - the museum is full of all the wonderful "intact" items that would be found and sold in these stores.   Although covered with mud, the merchandise was mostly intact.   The water and mud kept oxygen from getting to the crates, barrels, etc. and things were well preserved.   Even the perishable items that were in glass bottles/jars were drank or eaten after 131 years.   But for the most part, these items were cleaned and now in this wonderful museum !   It was a very unique experience and if you are ever in the Kansas city area, put this on your list of "things to do".   The museum opened in 1991.

On our way back to the Marriott, we stopped at Big John's Deck and had drinks on the rooftop. 
Later, we walked downtown and browsed around Cosentino's - upscale yuppie grocery where you could grab something to eat.   It had it all!!!

We had dinner at the Yard House and what a fun sports bar.    I had thee most wonderful grilled cheese (5 kinds of cheese with mashed tomatoes) on grilled artesan bread served with yummy tomato bisque for dipping.   Mark had the roast beef dip!    Neat place!!!