It's been a looooong day. We left Boston a bit before noon in our Oregon or Bust T-shirts, spent a glamorous couple of hours in Newark, and now it is 11:20 p.m. (!!!!), 12:20 a.m. on Boston time, and we're just getting to bed. But I said I'd write today (I'd love to get to it every day, we'll see how that goes), and an elephant's faithful, 100 percent, so here I am.
Phoebe's two stories of the day...she wants you to know she learned a great deal about the air pressure on airplanes and what it does to water bottles that have a bite valve (as ours do). She tried to take a drink of water on the plane and water flew all over her...TWICE! She said that she felt refreshed :) and we laughed and laughed. She also found, at baggage claim in Kansas City, a large red tulle bow (that someone had probably left on their luggage for ID purposes) and instantly proclaimed it headwear!
Wow...so much to see, so little time. We are in Independence, Missouri, a state that neither of us has ever visited, and the official beginning of the Oregon Trail. It is amazing looking around and imagining what the pioneers would think if they saw this place now, with its strip malls and neon lights and fast food restaurants. Interestingly enough, it still looks like the prairie anyway, and it is not hard to imagine through all the glaring evidence of the 20th and 21st centuries. Phoebe and I chatted about it and she said that she feels that people have pretty much messed up this place, and nature in general, that people just come in and wreck everything. I can't say I disagree.
Of course, there is something to be said for progress. We had chosen a hotel in advance, and checked in, only to find that it is located conveniently next door to Sheridan's, an apparently legendary frozen custard stand (HUGE), has won Best of Kansas City year after year, all that. We want to "take in the local culture" so we had some (That's the only reason. Really.)
Like I said, there is a LOT to do here, and today we traveled all day, so we only have tomorrow and maybe a bit of Tuesday morning. Highest priorities are the Frontier Trails Museum, one of the Harry Truman sites (either his house or his library/museum), and Independence Square, which was the center of town (such as it was) in the mid-1800's and the spot where wagons loaded up for the journey. Check out the link section if you want to read more about these places!
MYSTERY OF THE DAY: Why does the Kansas City Airport smell like sulphur? Discuss amongst yourselves (and then get back to us!)
3 comments:
Hi Robin and Phoebe, Wow; you guys really know how to spend a summer. I definitely want to hear about your adventures, receive pics, and share info. In fact, if I could, and you would have me, I would really like to drop what I'm doing these days, hoist a bag over me shoulder, and join you both. And, I bet you didn't know that I'm related to...wait for it...Daniel Boone, who was known to do some of that exploring himself back in the day (too bad about that Alamo thing, though). Keep me posted! Love to You Both, Aunt Jill
Hi Robin and Phoebe,
I'm blogging for the first time ever, and this is fun! Who knows, maybe I'll even try text messaging or get an iphone! Explore the wild frontier of modern technology!!
Joking aside, I'm now very inspired to learn about the history of pioneers. The only "pioneer" history that I've learned about in school is the Silk Trail... should be interesting to see how this compares!
Brian, Molly, and Charlie say hi/woof/(silent stare)!
Hey there Robin and Phoebe! This sounds like the most fantastic trip and we're delighted to be ridin' on the back of the wagon with ya!
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