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Showing posts from 2022

eagle days 2022

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  The journey out to Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge is relatively short and worth at least one visit to Eagle Days.  This year was the first time we actually made it out there for the event, which offered an up-close look at few different live eagles, including that shown in the photo above, the Harpy Eagle from South America.  The event is held there annually, on or about the first Saturday in December.  There are usually free guided bus tours along the 10-mile route around the wetlands, a few live eagle programs, snacks and the chance to simply enjoy a little northern Missouri winter weather. 

december guitars and cadillacs

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  Almost entirely on a whim, along with a lot of prodding by continual advertising on the airwaves, we made our way out to have a look at Guitars & Cadillacs. We had not been to anything of the sort since PBR Big Sky downtown, which proved to be crowded and lacking in space to do anything beyond drink entirely too much. Guitars and Cadillacs stands apart, reminiscent of the Beaumont in Westport, though a little cleaner.  Live music and a huge dance floor were enough.  An accommodating staff and a friendly crowd ranging in age from 21 to 85 rounded out a recipe for a fun evening dancing and having a good time.  Regular return trips are definitely planned, as long as this holds out.

silver dollar misery

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Setting off on the latest post-holiday adventure, our crew landed in Silver Dollar City without incident.  The remainder of the day would remain in question.  The mass of people joining this expedition proved astounding.  Later inspection of statistics outlined an amusement park at 97% capacity.  It was too much. From the moment of entry, the masses insisted on forward movement.  It did not matter in which direction, so long as it was away from the front gates.  Resistance proved futile.  We persevered though, riding rode the crest to discover the most welcoming place of sustenance that did not already host an hour or more wait. We plunged back into the fray, satisfied and in a better frame of mind to handle the obtuse situation.  Inspecting the variety of offerings brought no real sense of joy.  Silver Dollar City has long since sold out to commercialism.  Very little is actually made there any longer.  Most items are directly i

wrapping around walkenhorst

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An intimate evening with Bob Walkenhorst, formerly of The Rainmakers, performing at a birthday party for a close friend, got love wrapping around us all on this evening. Good friends. Good music. Good times. . . .  further reading BobWalkenhorst.com

nkc homecoming 2022

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Joining colleagues on their rooftop offered up a high-level view of the NKC High School Homecoming parade passing through on this date.  If only the phone had been charged, there might have been more than just this shot. . . . further reading North Kansas City High School (nkcschools.org)

chalk & walk festival 2022

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The annual Chalk & Walk Festival returned from the pandemic this year.  A multitude of visitors turned out for the festivities as well.  The works proved as fantastic as ever, if not more so.  It seems some folks have had a lot of time to practice these past few years. . . .  further reading Kansas City Chalk and Walk (kcchalkandwalk.org)

country, cardboard, & fireworks

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image borrowed from KATV A beautiful weekend unfolded in north central Arkansas for the Fourth of July holiday.  The promise of mostly clear skies, hot and steamy weather, and yet another edition of the World Championship Cardboard Boat Races ensured a good time for all involved. While many delayed their journey until that Friday afternoon, we got a jump on things and made it down Thursday evening.  This offered up the opportunity to squeeze in a little hiking about, visiting with family and friends, and general relaxation, prior to the main event. It also enabled us to catch a late evening performance at Sandy Beach by a couple of stars from "The Voice."  Cory Jackson and Marybeth Byrd took the stage, aka flatbed semi-trailer, in the parking lot overlooking the beach and a fantastic sunset at 7 pm. Cory led off with a string of well known tunes mixed in with a few of his own.  He has got a voice that pairs well with the tunes he chose to croon, never missing a beat.  The sma

basketball experiences

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A field trip with a syndicate of 4th graders discovered new a few new aspects of this local sports museum that were not uncovered on the last visit.  With that group in attendance, along with 100 others from another school, the court and the activities felt much different than on awards night with The Firm several years ago. The upstairs was basketball chaos for quite a while.  Taking a cue from the staff, the crew started their adventure with the basketball activities littering the ground floor, until they could properly add their statement to the mix upstairs.  Some were found enjoying a feature documentary on the sport and the teams, while others searched for their favorite stars in the Hall of Fame, when they weren't passing the ball, slam-dunking in the short court, shooting one free throw after another, or taking a stab at television broadcast journalism. The Hall provided other bits of intrigue for them too, with banners, posters, medals, and the Ferris Mowers NABC National

cloudy kite day

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Wandering north to the small town of Lawson found larger than life kites flying.  The event was to have been under a partly cloudy sky, but the weather proved itself uncooperative.  Steel gray skies dominated the day, with a cold wind keeping things at a barely tolerable state. The lake was choppy, though scenic in its simplicity and, the 2.5 km hike around the lake, refreshing. The event likely would have drawn many more to the space on a sunny day.    Food trucks stood at the ready for the throngs, ultimately left patiently waiting in the cold. Kite-building activities could not be located, though a variety were available for purchase at what seemed much higher than market value.  Future dates under more copacetic conditions will likely amass a more excited event. . . . further reading Kite Day at Lawson Lake

bee creek walkenhorst

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The birthday of a friend offered up the opportunity to see Bob Walkenhorst of The Rainmakers perform in an intimate setting.  It had been a long time since catching this act and it was no less enjoyable than ever.  Fun music!  Fun times. . . .  further reading Bob Walkenhorst

northland ethnic festival 2022

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  An entirely random invitation piqued interest in this event, held at Staley High School in the northland of Kansas City. Friendly faces and tasty treats were made available, but the main event proved to be the dancing.  Nearly every nation was represented through small presentations of song, dance, and cultural display. The Germans were one of the loudest, and for many, the most fun.  Children duplicated their stomping rhythm and swinging motions below the stage, giggling the entire way.  . . . further reading Northland Ethnic Festival (eeckc.org)