The pups and I made a quick drive across Indiana and Missouri and made it to Kansas City in two days. We could have driven slower but the site was already paid for and we went for it. Our one overnight on the way was spent in an RV friendly Wal*Mart right off the interstate. The dogs are not fans of Wal*Mart camping because they know it means limited grass and very short walks but they are traveling dogs and adjust when called upon.
We arrived early on Friday and Friday and Saturday weather was off and on showers but it worked well for resting up from the drive and getting a few laps of the campground between sprinkles. Catherine, a friend from Kansas City, drove over Saturday to camp and practice imagining what working from her rig might feel like in the near future as she downsizes responsibilities at work.
The campground is full of green and small enough to be tranquil. With no playground near the campsites and no pool even when full I can't imagine it full of large families with six bikes strapped to the back of the truck.
We settled in to listen to the rain and for the dogs to begin their dedication to getting my walking legs back.
Catherine pulled in before noon on Saturday and found her site next door.
Then started the walking and the visiting will walking. I no no one will believe it but it really was uphill both ways around the one campground loop. Luckily there were some downhills and flat areas between the hills. My fitbit credited me with over seventy sets of stairs one day. My daughter would be so proud. Catherine's Sadie, Stuart and Audrey enjoyed each others company. Audrey and Sadie had friendly competitions to see who could find and snarf up a downed cicada the fastest. They were both rather talented at that skill.
Remi was fine with everyone walking in front except when we walked through what I came to call "rabbit row". He was not to be left out of rabbit adventures. Stuart would like to note that this campground is lacking in squirrels. He is looking forward to find some in future parks.
Mitch arrived on Sunday a little early and parked in an empty while waiting for her site to empty. The couple in her site were very nice all weekend but we did re-evaluate our assessment of their niceness when they took off on their bikes and returned an hour after checkout. The camp host offered to switch Mitch's site but she preferred to wait and take her spot across from Catherine's and mine.
When you walk the miles you patiently rest up for the next loop.
"I like this camping life," said Sadie. "I think Catherine and I will handle this life style just fine."
Mitch set up for dinner.
The missing window on the left was the one that shattered after dinner while we were sitting at the table just talking. Luckily it was safety glass but the million of tiny pieces were still a pain to clean up. With some online research of friends, Mitch found out that amazing exploding windows are not unknown as one would hope. She now has stylish plastic and tape over the window.
Catherine and Sadie walking the loop.
On Monday Catherine took me on a tour of Kansas City. Yes I brought my camera but mostly we drove and I learned about what a neat city Kansas City is. After listening for years regarding the struggles that Cincinnati undertakes to create life after hours in the city it is nice to know that some American cities have succeeded. Having grown up in Kansas City and living here off and on, she knows the neighborhoods, history and small tastie restaurants.
The old train station does resemble the Union Terminal back in Ohio but then they both were constructed about the same era. Kansas City has rescued the building and brought it back to usefulness.
The waiting benches are gone but you can still see them in your imagination.
The best part of the tour was being invited to tour Unbound, the organization that Catherine's family has created and the one that Catherine currently works for. It was a wonderful way understand more thoroughly how the program supports children and elderly individuals throughout the world. Look it up on line to find out more. It is one organization the maximizes the money it receives and makes sure that funds go to the individuals it was intended to serve.
Catherine did have to return to work on Tuesday but since she was successful at hiring her replacement on Friday and her new grandchild is expected to arrive in California in July. I think she has a great handle on her timeline for future adventures.
Back at the campground on Tuesday Mitch and I got out the laptop, iPads and the maps and figured out plans and stops between here and Denver and the weekend. So many interesting Apps to help and/or distract us. We did find out that we are only two miles from the worlds largest ball of string.
So we are on our way in search of adventures. We did decide that Mitch's exploding windows and my nesting mother mouse in the storage bin that I needed to get into to replace a fuse were not the preferred adventures. And the waking up in the middle of the night imagining that you might have another tick walking across your leg is no reason to panic. But these Kansas City ticks come in a range of sizes. Two that I found were small seed ticks. One on me and one on Remi. I love the grass and the woods. Repeat after me. I love the grass and the woods.......
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