So if you’ve been following this blog, you’ll notice that we’ve made a couple of trips to Kansas City in the last twelve months. After our granddaughter was born in June of 2015, we traveled west, along with our daughter and her husband. Janet went back in October of 2015, then both of us flew back in November, and again in January, and then again in June of 2016 for Elizabeth’s first birthday. We’re here once more to see Erik play Professor Harold Hill in The Music Man. One would think this would keep us from our adventures in New England, however I’m finding it gives us energy to go on even more adventures, as we talk to old friends and family who appear to be living vicariously through us.
Our family has been doing musical theater for quite a while and it was a special treat to not only see Erik in the lead, but also Amanda and Elizabeth taking chorus roles in the show as well. It’s hard, as a first time grandparent to not want to see your child’s off-spring as much as possible, and we were rewarded with many memorable moments playing with our beautiful little girl.

If there’s anything I’ve learned living in New England is that everywhere can be a tourist destination with new adventures in your own backyard. Since we left Kansas City, a new street car has opened taking travelers through the downtown area and terminating at Union Station. Janet and I have both worked in downtown Kansas City at one time or another in our lives and used to enjoy going to theater and restaurants. On Friday we decided to check out the streetcar.

I was surprised at how similar the experience was to the subways back home in Boston, only a little slower and with a view.  The streetcar is free so we decided to board at Union Station for the round trip. We stopped in the River Market area to wander around one of our old favorite antique stores, and then again at the Power & Light district to have lunch with my brother, Dave. Dave works halfway up One Kansas City Place, the tallest building in Missouri. He invited us up to his office for some nice views of the city below.

 

Dad has been going to treatments, but things aren’t looking good. A tumor developed behind one of his eyes impairing his vision. I’m glad we’re spending the time and money to visit in what will probably be his last year. We’re on a roll now with five trips to KC under our belts in twelve months.  We’ll probably be back soon.

 

 

 

“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.” – Helen Keller