Kansas Trip 2017

I had some goals to hit in the short few weeks here before our next Kansas trip, and one of them was to get LAST YEAR’S Kansas trip pictures up, so: at least I hit that one. Here you go, guys. And now I’ll be radio silent for a good long while like usual.

But this one is long, be ready.

So: we headed out, and as usual it was kinda damp and foggy. Yay, November in Wisconsin.

(At least we had rainbow belts.)

(And leftover Jet’s.)

Came across this car in a random gas station parking lot and couldn’t not share with y’all.

Made it to Des Moines; stopped at our usual favorite dive for some grub and then ran off the kids at the sculpture garden.

Hit Kansas City by the evening, which means: BBQ time.

I mean, the BBQ meat was great, but that white bean cassolette: kill me dead. So good.

I missed your sweet self, KC.

Anyway. After stuffing ourselves to the gills, we made our way to our airbnb in Lawrence. I miss Lawrence. I miss this neighborhood and the homey 1930s homes there. This airbnb was a mere block from our old house, and brought back about a million memories. I loved all the time we spent there, even though it was legit like 18 hours tops.

In the morning we got coffee and some pastries at a nearby coffee shop. And I spotted a I [heart] soil sticker (from my office!!) on a laptop in the window. Life’s a circle and all that.

We had brunch with my bud Fuger at 715. Linus was a total mess but was loving life.

After brunch we did some downtown shopping…

You’d think I’d heed the advice here, but alas: nope.

After parting ways with Fuger we checked out the new library in Lawrence, which was looking pretty fly compared to the old one, for sure.

Then we grabbed a snack and some beers at LBC on our way out of town. This spot, you guys: talk about memories. Scott and I had a duplex across the street from this spot for several years before we got married (LIVING IN SINNNNNNN). Not to sound too much like some old crank but those were some fun times, we kept a lovely warm home and we traveled and we also walked downtown ALL. THE. TIME. for lovely dinners and hit up shows and galleries and dance parties and oh man I kind miss those days. And that spot. Even though the kitchen was insanely small for cooking and there were these murder birds in the back area that dive-bombed me regularly while I tried to walk garbage out to our garbage bins in the morning SO RUDE.

I mean anyway. Yes, Lawrence Beer Co. is legit, with its lovely entry just steps from where birds tried to kill me in my bathrobe.

We got roasted Brussels, chicken with fermented honey and blue cheese, and waffle fries. SO FULL.

And then we drove to Pitt. We hit down late, had a lovely cheese tray my parents brought out for us weary travelers, and we all hit the hay. The next day the cousins were showing up EARLY.

Cousin love.

Mahni and I had our usual photo shoot. When did she get so big, you guys.

Time to blow some time at the eternally timeless Pittsburg Mall, you guys.

And then we went to a park.

AND THEN WE WENT TO TINNIE’S TO MEET DOGGY LOVE.

Then back to Muzzy’s to explore her hood.

So. Our last day there I had a lovely date morning alone with my Muzzy, we stopped at her favorite coffee shop and then hit up Serendipity for some amazing vintage shopping where we spent way more than planned.

I mean: how could I leave that lovely lady at the store….

After our mommy/daughter date we packed up the car to head west (sads). But we did stop at the spot where we met all those years ago, to get some perfectly greasy burgers and fries to drown our sorrows on the way out of town.

Flat western Kansas, here we come.

(Yes, I bought not only the lady but her guy friend as well, who is dated 1941 with only the name “Jasper” on the back. MYSTERIOUS.)

So, anyway. Off to dinner.

Chicken fried steak “the size of your head” did not disappoint.

The next day was Thanksgiving. We started things strong, with those “legit gross” sodas.

Time to explore.

(Funny side note: I lost my lens cap at Arnita’s house last Thanksgiving. This year I .was tagging after kids and found my lens cap half-covered in dirt. FATE)

(This is my annual reminder to bring junk shoes because Things Happen in rural America.)

Those sunsets, though.

And then, suddenly, it was Black Friday.

Scottie and I drove to KC early for a coffee date before I ran off with my beloved, Nikki.

We met at the Nifty Nuthouse, and I left with my Nikki. But only after I bought 5 lbs. of Fancy Nut Blend and a whole bunch of chocolate-dipped pecans.

Our lunch was filled with snails and duck confit burgers and all the good stuff.

Followed by shopping…

Friends 4ever.

Scott grabbed me and off we went to watch classic movies while drinking good beer.

Then some “junk” shopping…

Then we went full circle and had some coffee before driving back to the kids.

Where we found Moose having pizza for breakfast.

Then some Christmas In November action…

And then: we were off to more adventures.

Old-car-wash-turned-drive-thru-coffee vibes are the best vibes.

(Hit 100K on this trip.)

We had a wee bit of free time so we hit up Larry because: duh.

(So I totally saw this and took a picture only because this is very similar to our downstairs bath and I totally copied it and it totally works, HUZZAH.)

Shop, shop, shop…

Sleepie on our way to KC…

We stopped in KC for a wee minute to have a beer with my KC Besties, and it was worth the stop. (Even though Scott later got a $300 speeding ticket because he was too tired while driving through Southern Wisconsin.) STILL WORTH EVERY MINUTE.

There you go, friends! Catch you on the flip side!