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Engaging in an AVI conference in Kansas City offered an opportunity to look backstage at T-Mobile Center from top to bottom.  The array of equipment proved quite impressive, along with some interesting additions made to the center in anticipation of the coming Final Four. 

  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. 

  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.

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 ma...

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