Long ago, we discovered that the downtown is the center of a community. The very pulse of the city can be felt in this area. The towns that embrace this idea are the ones where you will find a vibrant and thriving society. Our visit to Oskaloosa, Iowa only allowed for one day downtown, but […]
A Day Downtown – Exploring Oskaloosa, Iowa Read More »
We have had the opportunity to sample a wide range of cuisines, but Dutch had escaped our taste buds. It took a visit to Pella, Iowa for us to savor this particular style of dishes. Dropping by for Tulip Time allowed us to immerse ourselves in the culture and flavors of this particular fare. With
Getting Our Dutch Fix – Pella, Iowa Read More »
It is a simple fact that the Midwest was settled by farmers. The fertile lands of the Central Plains are often referred to as the “Breadbasket of America”. Being natives of this region, we enjoy visiting sites that tell the stories of these fruitful laborers. Oskaloosa is home to the Nelson Pioneer Farm & Museum,
Life In The Heartland – Nelson Pioneer Farm Read More »
On any given day you are likely to smell the aroma of barbecue in Kansas City. The very fabric of the community is saturated with the intoxicating scent. Breaking the barrier to become a successful BBQ restaurant in this town is no easy feat. Chef J has learned this lesson as the new kid in
Chef J BBQ – New Kid In Town Read More »
Traveling through the open lands in the Midwest, it is easy to imagine what the pioneers faced during westward expansion. Back in 1854, the first white settler arrived in the soon-to-be-formed Nebraska Territory. He carved out space for himself along the banks of the Missouri River and constructed the area’s first log cabin. The promise
Silenced Footsteps – Brown-Carson House Read More »
Let’s all face the truth about interstate highways. They offer the convenience of shuttling us from big city to big city. While this helps us shorten our travel time, it also forces us to bypass an untold number of opportunities. We will be the first to admit that these superhighways are advantageous. There is value
Small Town Tastes – Brownville Shops Read More »
The end of a workweek is certainly a reason for a celebration. This particular week had been rather brutal, so it was an easy decision to add a Happy Hour event to our Friday evening excursion. We wanted something fresh and new, so plans were set for a visit to Tavern in the Village. Located
Pops Of Color – Tavern In The Village Read More »
Tooling along the interstate, you will pass exit after exit for small towns all across America. How often do you wonder what these places have in store for visitors? Like many others, for years we would cruise by without so much as acknowledging their presence. In recent years we have learned that each of these
Embracing The Past – Brownville, Nebraska Read More »
Can you imagine life in the early 1800s? With the need to furnish a vast array of your everyday goods, a homestead would need a sizeable footprint. When Waltus Watkins (say that three times fast) brought his bride to live in Liberty, Missouri, he set himself on a path that would change their lives. Watkins,
A Sizeable Footprint – Watkins Mill Read More »
Living in Kansas City means that we are in day-trip distance from a myriad of interesting destinations. When we are looking for another big city experience, one of our favorite haunts is Omaha, Nebraska. Being a mere three hours away makes this a good option for about eight hours of exploring. Of course, with a
Artful Travel – Josyln Art Museum Read More »
We are so hopeful that 2021 will see a return of travel that we decided to start our season with some day trips. It’s fun planning and executing a one-day run that lands us in new territory. Kansas City is the perfect home base for a multitude of day trip options. An hour north of
Kearney Coffee Break – Paisley Perk Read More »
When you step into history, it can lead to just as many questions as it does answers. During a recent discussion, we pondered why people are so fascinated with the notorious desperados who grab the headlines. From gangsters to bandits, there is something fascinating about their stories. A trip to the outskirts of Kearney, Missouri
Step Into History – Jesse James Farm Read More »
For decades, people around the globe have struggled with the ‘Spring Forward’ that occurs each year. While we understand the reasoning behind this daylight saving practice, it doesn’t make the frustration of losing an hour anymore pleasant. Just as we begin to see the dawn appear at a decent hour, we are plunged back into
Spring Forward With An Outdoor Art Walk Read More »
It’s easy to find the statistics for just about any city or town, but they will not tell the whole story. To get a true taste of any destination requires experiencing it firsthand. Over the years, we have discovered a formula that helps us make the most of our time. This has been used for
How To Sample Atchison, Kansas In One Day Read More »
Kansas City is filled with so many entertainment options that we struggle trying to cover them all. When our daughter suggested a brunch outing, I decided to look for something out of the ordinary. Since we are all lovers of art, a visit to the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art was a perfect fit. This
Losing Their Voice – Kemper Museum Of Contemporary Art Read More »
The city of Atchison, Kansas has a long history of rising to the challenge. Squatting along the banks of the Missouri River, the town was founded just a decade before the start of the Civil War. This Midwestern city of around 11,000 has seen its own struggles. Their delay in constructing a bridge to span
Rising To The Challenge – Atchison History Read More »
It’s hard to remember how many times we have been floored at the idea of businesses launching at the height of the pandemic. We understand that once a ball gets rolling, you just have to see it through. Still, the idea of beginning during such an unstable market has to be frightening. When we spotted
Fan Favorites – Sushi Karma Read More »
On a high bluff overlooking the Missouri River, Amelia Earhart came into the world. While the small town she grew up in may seem quiet, the urge for adventure stirred deep in her heart. The two-story cottage stands as a reminder of the amazing flying feats performed by this aviation pioneer. The world knows her
The Search For Amelia Read More »
It saddens us when we hear about a local business having to shutter its doors. Unfortunately, this was an all too common occurrence in 2020. On a positive note, there were many new enterprises willing to take a risk during those uncertain times. One that evidently felt it best to let 2020 pass by is
All Is Right – Va Bene Italian Eatery Read More »
Few highways have captured the American spirit like Route 66. This nostalgic thoroughfare has been dubbed “The Mother Road” and “Main Street of America”. With 2,448 miles of open road, it led travelers from Chicago to Los Angeles. Along the way, drivers would find iconic stops to satisfy just about every need. This famous path
Route 66 Museum – Lebanon, Missouri Read More »
It’s hard to believe we had never taken a real train trip. The stories that friends have told, about experiencing the views along the rolling tracks, have intrigued us. It is just that we have always fallen back on the reasoning that we would need our car for convenience. The day finally came when we
Amtrak Escape – All Aboard For Hermann, Missouri Read More »
Midwesterners have had a long love affair with the open road. While there are many wonderful destinations scattered across the region, often one is faced with a significant drive. The invention of roads helped make travel more feasible and shortened the time needed to move from point to point. One of our favorite thoroughfares to
Test Of Time – Route 66 Local Love Read More »
Hermann, Missouri is steeped in the German heritage that the founding fathers brought from the east. While time has certainly allowed a variety of new tastes to enter the scene, the old world still holds a place in the hearts of residents and visitors alike. Strolling through the downtown, one can almost imagine themselves being
Wine And Wurst – Hermann Oktoberfest Read More »
Our country is filled with an array of vacation opportunities. Just about any type of diversion can be found, if you know where to look. One of our favorite activities is exploring the haunts that early drivers would find across the United States. An easy way to do this is a Route 66 road trip.
Route 66 Road Trip – Road From Rolla Read More »
In the mid-1800s, much of the land west of the Mississippi River was still untamed. Land agents in the east offered immigrants promises of fertile lands teeming with possibility. Upon arriving in their new locations, the dreams of milk and honey would often sour. Such was the case for a group of German farmers who
Taming The Wilderness – Hermann History Museum Read More »
Route 66 explorers are always on the lookout for iconic stops. The Mother Road has been a fascination for decades and too many of the original attractions have deteriorated by the wayside. These days, a journey along one of America’s first highways can turn into a treasure hunt that brings a mixed bag of rewards.
Juvenile Jokes Galore – Uranus, Missouri Read More »
Breaking the BBQ barrier in Kansas City isn’t easy. On any given day, the smoky aroma of barbecue permeates the very fabric of the city. It isn’t reserved just for game days or the Fourth of July. Barbecue is the lifeblood of the city. The idea of launching a new restaurant in this atmosphere can
Breaking The BBQ Barrier – Q39 BBQ Read More »
Rolling down Route 66 in rural Missouri brought us to the pun-filled destination of Uranus, Missouri. Among the variety of commercial attractions is the Uranus Sideshow Museum. This place is a throwback to carnival days of old. While my only memories are of small versions at rural locations, there are certain things that I can
Uranus Sideshow Museum – Throwback To Carnival Days Read More »
Living in the landlocked Midwest used to mean that good seafood meals were few and far between. These days, the ability to move fresh supplies worldwide has made fantastic dishes available almost anywhere. On a beautiful Fall Saturday, we traveled to Hermann, Missouri to check out their annual Oktoberfest. The lure of music, wine, and
Tasty Treasures – Doxie Slush Read More »
It would be safe to say that most people have heard the name Norman Rockwell, but how about Lowell Davis? This Missouri-born artist was often referred to as a master of rural art. Davis was born near Carthage, in the original Red Oak, Missouri. Growing up in a rural setting instilled a love for the
Red Oak II – A Labor Of Love Read More »
For decades, the McLain family served the locals in and around the Waldo area. Three generations of the family-operated this local bakery, delivering pastries, bread, and cakes to eager customers. There would often be long lines waiting for their chance to snatch up some of the goodies. When the McLain family sold the business in
Flavorsome Finger Foods – McClain’s Market Read More »
For many years, we have enjoyed visits to the Ozark Mountains. This ancient mountain range offers amazing scenery, abundant wildlife, and many hidden wonders. During a trip to Top of the Rock, we learned about another scenic site that we wanted to see firsthand. A little research uncovered 10,000 acres of exploring that offers visitors
Dogwood Canyon Nature Park – 10,000 Acres Of Exploring Read More »
There are some names that stand out in American history. Just the mention of them will elicit images of the era in which they lived. This is certainly the case with past presidents, like Washington or Lincoln. It also applies to some other historic figures like Daniel Boone. Just the mere mentioning of his name
Boone County History Museum – Celebrating 200 Years Read More »
When we heard that Denver Biscuit Company was coming to KC, images of fluffy mounds, covered in gravy, filled our thoughts. Little did we know, the reality would be fat stacks of folded biscuit bliss that would challenge our appetites. Our affinity for southern-style foods means that we love folded biscuits, although we never turn
Folded Biscuit Bliss – Denver Biscuit Co. Read More »
The river town of Hannibal, Missouri rests along the banks of the “Mighty Mississippi”. Growing up in such a world, during the mid-1800s, would have surely presented an adventurous world to any boy. This was certainly the case for Samuel Langhorne Clemens, who would seal his fame with the pen name of Mark Twain. Born
Where Twain Meets – Hannibal, Missouri Read More »
Crossing through western Kansas, we can imagine herds of buffalo charging across the plains. Large numbers were roaming the territory when white settlers first arrived. The end of the Civil War brought expanded interest and development to Kansas. The “Border War” was fought on the eastern edge of the state, and seemed like a distant
Hunting History – Oakley, Kansas Read More »
For many, us included, you cannot get the real flavor of a destination without including visits to some of the local restaurants. Hannibal, Missouri has a distinct connection with the “Mighty Mississippi”, so we certainly wanted to experience the river town tastes that can be found there. Obviously, we would want some variety and knew
River Town Tastes – Hannibal, Missouri Eats Read More »
The more we explore the Midwest, the more we discover that it is filled with surprises. For instance, how often do you hear people say that Kansas is flat and devoid of any significant landscape features? To many, you must travel to the coast or the Rockies to find amazing sights. Reality shows that this
The Kansas Badlands – Little Jerusalem State Park Read More »
Hannibal, Missouri is known far and wide for its connection to Samuel Clemens. Many of you know him best by his pen name of Mark Twain. His stories reflect the life and struggles of growing up in a river town in the mid-1800s. While many of his tales are based on moments and memories from
Hidden History – Hannibal Legends Read More »
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer is an American classic that has been cherished by readers for generations. From its first publication, in 1876, this adventure into childhood has captured the imagination of Mark Twain fans. As we had already discovered, Samuel Clemens (a.k.a. Mark Twain) was a master of drawing from life, when creating his
Drawing From Life – Becky Thatcher Read More »
Spending time with our grandkids has opened up opportunities to visit some fun destinations. Being able to share our love for zoos with them helps us build a stronger bond while learning more about the world we live in. A recent excursion had us going on safari to the Topeka Zoo for a morning filled
Going On Safari – Topeka Zoo Read More »
The mere mention of the town of Hannibal, Missouri evokes images of Mark Twain. It seems his iconic identity goes hand-in-hand with this river town. Most of us have grown up on the literary works of Samuel Langhorne Clemens, who penned the books we read in school. The characters he created kept us entertained with
Triumph Over Oppression – Huck Finn Freedom Center Read More »
How many of us remember that special friend we had when we were growing up? Wouldn’t it be great to have the opportunity to meet back up and join forces later in life? This is exactly what happened to a pair of kids who grew up in the middle of the Heartland. After going their
Self-Serve Banking – Brew Bank Read More »
The year is 1921 and the world is coming out of World War 1. America was coming out of these troubled times with a renewed vigor. With the prospects of the world looking up, people began looking for new ways to expand their horizons. The war had shown people how aviation was the transportation avenue
Take To The Skies – Nicholas Beazley Aviation Museum Read More »
It is fair to say that Evel Knievel is one of the most recognizable names in daredevil history. While there have been many before and after him, he set the bar for showmanship. With over 75 ramp-to-ramp jumps to his fame, he spent the bulk of his life creating the legend that many of us
Always The Showman – Evel Knievel Museum Read More »
It goes without saying that we love learning about animals. Our world is filled with fascinating creatures that leave us in awe and remind us that we are just one piece of a massive ecological puzzle. Whether it’s unusual species or just an unbelievable specimen, there is a ton of education that comes with each
The Wonder Dog Of Marshall Read More »
Picture a vast inland sea teeming with an abundance of prehistoric creatures. Along the edge of the water laid a vast swamp filled with an assortment of dinosaurs. Overhead, Pteranodons floated on the warm air currents, as they scanned the horizon for an easy meal. This is the scene that would have played out in
A Date With History – Hays, Kansas Read More »
When people in the Midwest refer to “Bloody Kansas” or the “Border War”, it usually elicits visions of localized skirmishes. A closer look will reveal that this newly formed territory was the “Birthplace of the Civil War”. While many history books focus on the battles in the east, it was the introduction of Kansas Territory,
Rolling The Dice – Constitution Hall Read More »
It was an unexpectedly cold and wet day in the middle of Kansas. We arrived at Taco Shop for an early lunch with our new friend Janet Kuhn. Our visit to Hays was winding down to the last few hours, so this would be our last get together. It was fitting that our last meal
50 Years And Counting – Taco Shop Read More »
The year is 1865 and the Civil War has just ended. While westward expansion had significantly slowed during the war, it did not take long for it to resume. As settlers pushed for new territories to be opened, it would spark a resurgence of the American Indian War. Out on the westerns front, in Kansas,
Taming The Plains – Fort Hays Read More »