Kansas City

City of Fountains, home of best barbecued ribs, Kansas City is a bustling metropolitan area in the middle of miles and miles of farmland. On a recent trip to America’s Heartland, my husband completed his visits to all 50 states, and I added four more totaling 47. It was a “guy trip,” and I was along for the ride, the long, long ride.

Starting from Harrisburg, PA, we flew to Kansas City, Missouri (via Chicago) then drove to Kansas City, Kansas for barbecue at famous Arthur Bryant’s. Continuing south, we visited Fort Scott, a national historic park in pristine condition. It was originally built as a post on the Indian Frontier and later served as a hospital for the wounded in the Civil War. At one point, the barracks were sold as dwellings to the townspeople.

A broad sweep south brought us to Oklahoma and Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees. We paused in Oklahoma only long enough to switch drivers. So, technically our feet did touch the ground in this state. Finally we reached our destination for staying overnight—Springdale, Arkansas, home of the Duggars. Although I did not realize this fact until I noticed that everyone at the Holiday Inn and Convention Center was dressed just like the Duggars and I Googled their location on my iphone.

Heading north the next day, we stopped in Bentonville, AR to visit the original 5 & 10 started by Sam Walton or “Mr. Sam” as the locals respectfully call him. It was a museum of Wal-Mart and a tribute to enterprise and hard work. One of Mr. Sam’s quotes went something like this—children should be made to realize that they should contribute to the family, not just take from the family. Oh, how far we have slid from that axiom since the Great Depression.


We also drove through Joplin, Missouri to see the path of destruction made by a massive tornado in May. It looked like a bombed out swath going through the town. Very little was left standing. There were a few tree trunks with no limbs, some concrete slabs, and some piles of rubble. A few places were being rebuilt. The tornado hit the large brick high school and caused the roof to collapse. It missed the downtown by a few blocks. All told, 153 were killed.

Finally we completed our loop back in Kansas City, Missouri where we stayed for a couple of days. We went to Country Club Plaza for a little shopping and a chance to eat ribs and fries at Fiorella’s Jack Stack Restaurant. Then we went to Kauffman Stadium, home of the Kansas City Royals to see them defeated by the Red Sox. That night we raced a huge thunder storm back to our hotel and barely made it inside before the rain and hail.

The wonderful Kansas City Zoo was where we spent much of the next day. It is HUGE—200 acres—and a very enjoyable and shady place to walk around. My favorite exhibits were the polar bear, chimps, kangaroos, lions, and wart hogs. The zoo planners worked hard to make the exhibits as close to their natural habitats as possible.


That night we went back to the ball park to see the Red Sox win again 7-1.

My overwhelming impression of the states we visited was how extremely friendly and nice all of the people we encountered were. We were welcomed, thanked, and sent along to “have a good day.” Servers never seemed rushed; they answered all of our questions and talked unhurriedly. It almost seemed as if there was Prozac in the water. Back in PA, people are nice enough, but the difference was noticeable. I’m not sure why. Of course, I have been spending some time in New York lately where people beep, elbow me out of their way, and always seem to be in rush. This attitude makes me want to say, “I don’t think we’re in Kansas anymore, Toto.” Too bad.