Last week we drove to the Kansas City area to meet JD, Janel, and Blizzard. We had a great time! The weather was awesome and we managed to fill every minute making great memories.
When we arrived on Thursday morning, we headed over to Independence, MO to the Harry S. Truman Library and Museum. Since I grew up in the KC area, I had been to this library many times. As a matter of fact, one of the most significant events of my life happened on 12/27/72 when my neighbor took me over to the Library to stand in line to pass by President Truman's casket lying in repose in the Library lobby. The Truman Library is the first Presidential library built. It is small, but filled with interactive displays, and exhibits that highlight all phases of President Truman's life.
After the Library, we headed over to Overland Park, KS for lunch with my childhood best friend. When I lived in OP, until 1979, it's boundary was 111th St. or College Blvd. It has grown way beyond that boundary now! We had lunch at Stroud's on 135th St. What?!! And that's not the southern boundary, it goes on beyond there.
Lunch with Carla was so much fun! We met in 6th grade, became fast friends and stayed friends into young adulthood. When I moved to AZ we lost touch. In 2009 I started searching for her on the Internet and found her through LinkedIn. We started up right where we left off. We've seen her in person three times over the past nine years, and keep up with each other through emails, texts, and Instagram. After lunch, Dan said "I love to hear you girls talk, it's as if there was never a break in your friendship!". I agree!!
That evening we briefly met up with Janel's parents at our hotel. Since we were all together we, of course, had to get a photo taken with Blizzard!
On Friday morning Janel was still busy with her conference, so JD, Blizzard, Dan, and I visited my SIL's mom, Priscilla in OP. We stopped at a train shop so Dan could check out items for his new hobby - a "N" Scale Model Train set-up. We then headed over to Antioch Park. I have so many great childhood memories of Antioch Park. We had family picnics there. Church picnics there. School picnics there. It was a great park for kids, with a child sized Western Town that we could play in and climb on. I was thrilled to see that "Dodgetown" still existed when we got there. Of course, it's been updated a few times in the past 39 years! Blizzard had a great time trying out the play equipment. I had a great time revisiting the buildings from my youth.
Friday afternoon we headed out to the Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Garden. Remember how shocked I was the OP extended to 135th St? The Arboretum is located on 179th Street. It blows my mind to see the growth in that town. The Arboretum was beautiful. It consists of several trails you can walk featuring specific themes. I love hydrangeas (of course, we can't grow them here in the desert) and was amazed by the huge hydrangea plants in the garden.
Saturday morning was the highlight of our trip with a visit to the West Bottoms warehouse district for antique shopping. I came home with a few treasures, but Janel hit the jackpot with a beautiful hutch that will be just perfect in their home. Good thing she borrowed her parent's pick-up truck so she could get it back to Manhattan! That night we drove to The Country Club Plaza for dinner at a great Mexican Restaurant and then drove Ward Parkway to gawk at the huge mansions built along it.
Blizzard was such a delight! He warmed up to us right away and enjoyed walking with us holding our hands. He's becoming very verbal and is at the stage where he thoroughly understands the power of saying "no". He has the cheeriest smile and the most robust laugh. We love him so and treasure every moment we get to spend with him.
It's always hard to leave them, but this time was made a little easier with the knowledge that they're flying out here on September 29th for a conference JD is speaking at. While he and Janel stay at the hotel downtown, Blizzard is going to come and stay with us. We can't wait!!
