Weekend Wanderings

Back in May, I went to Kansas City twice in one week. It’s funny how things work out sometimes. Back in February, my husband and I planned a weekend road trip out to visit his extended family in KC. As the trip got closer, it suddenly looked like I would have to make a trip out there for work as well. The timing lined up so I was there for work Monday night through Thursday afternoon and then we drove out Friday morning and drove back Sunday. Definitely a little nutty for me but road trips just aren’t have as fun without a co-pilot.

During my business trip, I was able to sneak in a few fun activities. My hotel was right near the National World War I Museum and Memorial so Tuesday night I decided to visit it before dinner. It was opened to the public as the Liberty Memorial museum in 1926 and in 2004 the US Congress designated it as America’s official museum dedicated to World War I. Unfortunately, the museum had closed by the time I got there but there was still plenty to see. They had an outdoor photo exhibit showing WWI battlefields 100 years later. The architecture of the buildings and structures was also fascinating. Liberty Tower stands 217 feet tall. The buildings are designed in the classical Egyptian Revival style. Between the two halls and the tower sit two stone sphinxes named “Memory” and “Future.” Both sphinxes are covering their faces with their wings. Memory faces East, hiding its face from the horrors of the European battlefields. Its counterpart faces West and shields its eyes from a future yet unseen.

After the memorial, I went down to Union Station and enjoyed dinner at Pierpont’s. I enjoyed their Four Course Tasting Menu. I started with Ahi Tuna Poke, followed by the Pear and Almond Salad, then the Filet Mignon for my main course and topped off with the Orange Ganache Tart for dessert. Everything was incredibly delicious, the service was excellent and the staff was fun. I travel a fair amount on my own for work and I find the staff at a restaurant can have a huge impact on eating alone experience. I always bring a book but it’s fun to have some conversation with the waiters.

Wednesday afternoon, I wrapped up a little earlier on site and was able to squeeze in an hour at the art museum. The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Arts is one of my favorite things to do in KC. The grounds are beautiful with sculptures scattered throughout the property. They have a vast collection ranging from ancient Egypt to Colonial America to modern photography.

My favorite exhibit is the Bloch Gallery featuring Impressionists and Post-Impressionist artists.

When the museum closed, I strolled the grounds a while before meeting up with my husband’s aunts and cousin for a girl’s night out.

I was back in Denver Thursday night to pack for our road trip. Friday morning we took off early. Before meeting up with the family for dinner at the District Pourhouse, we stopped in and enjoyed a beer at the Kansas City Bier Company.

Neither of us slept very well so we decided to get up early and walk around the city. With a coffee in hand, we explored the Power and Light District before heading down to the City Market.

City Market was buzzing with people picking up flowers, fresh produce, and local meat. My favorite stall is the Al Habashi Mart. The store specializes in Middle Eastern Food and has an vast selection of spices. Every time we visit KC I insist upon us going here. The prices are great and the spices are far more flavorful than what you can buy in your standard grocery store.

Sunday, on the way back to Denver, we stopped in Topeka to visit the Brown vs Board of Education National Historic Site. It was a fabulous stop and the site was so powerful.