Ah, home on the 4th!

We have arrived at home. We enjoyed our trip to KC and Mark's house, and it was certainly wonderful to spend some time my entire family. We left KC at 2.33 p.m., intent on arriving at an outlet mall close to St. Louis in time to shop before 6 p.m.

We did. Arrived at 5.31 p.m., after over 200 miles and one stop.

Horrible rain from Wentzville to Chesterfield.

Dinner at cracker barrel, home to watch the explosions on our street. I love the 4th.

Good night, gentle reader, and I'm sure you'll read more. This next week, without our child, is work in our room week.

Kansas City, 4th of July

st="on">Kansas City, July 2009

Dateline: Thursday, 2 July

Departure was delayed from our abode this evening due to work, packing, dinner, forgetfulness. We finally got on the road somewhere around 6.30. MacKenzie had already left St. Louis with my parents and sister earlier today, and had arrived safely at her uncle’s house.

Our trip, thankfully, was not very busy with traffic. We stopped at a Wendy’s in Lake St. Louis, got some dinner, and headed west on 70. A very uneventful trip for us – a quiet trip, with no daughter in the car. It was rather nice, being able to spend time talking to my wife tonight.

We got to my brother’s house about 10.40. MacKenzie was already asleep, and we spent some time exploring the work that my brother did in his living and dining room. Floor sanded, stained and re-sealed, new drywall, removed popcorn ceiling, arts & crafts style trim, and new windows.

Time for bed. More tomorrow.

Friday, 3 July

Today’s venture into the joy of eastern Kansas takes us to Bonner Springs, Kansas. Our final destination in Bonner Springs is the Moon Marble Factory. It’s less a factory and more a store with tons of vintage toys and marbles.

We took a side detour to a local produce stand for tomatoes and corn for dinner tonight. After arriving at the Moon Marble, we found parking. The Moon Marble is located between 2 east-west NS tracks with a sidling and the road. Not lots of parking, and since it had just rained, the parking area was rather wet.

Buckets of marbles, tubs of all different sizes. Pretty cool. We got to see a demonstration of an art glass marble being made. That was neat. Darcy wanted to get an art-glass marble, but I informed her that the price was a bit too high.

Then it was off to Leavenworth to the Carousel Museum. Lunch was had at the High Noon Saloon. Excellent food, and their amber ale is very tasty, I might add. My father and brother experienced the stout and said it was very good as well.

If you’re ever in Leavenworth, stop and see the carousel. It’s the fastest one I’ve ever seen, and it’s pretty cool. Very old, enclosed so inclement weather doesn’t bother you. The horses are all vintage, and the tail popped out of one horse yesterday. Quite funny, actually.

Departed Leavenworth to head back to my brother’s house for a dinner of grilled ribs, fresh corn, carrots.

Finished dinner rather late, got MacKenzie to bed, and then it was off to bed for us.

More tomorrow.