RUNNING IN MISSOURI and SEEING THE STL ARCH FROM A DISTANCE

CROSS COUNTRY BOUND.  We seriously wanted to see our grandson, "P" run CROSS COUNTRY before this season is over for the year so we drove to Missouri for the week-end event. 

Praying that we wouldn't get rained out as rain was in the forecast.  While walking the course there was a very loud clap of thunder.  Whispered a prayer and walked on.  That was the only THUNDER we heard while there.  Thank you, GOD.

When the athletes start to line-up, it gets exciting knowing that in a few minutes the race begins.

He did well finishing 8th amongst about 100 High School boys.  Thrilled to see him run at this sport.  Very proud of him and his accomplishments.  There are miles between us to where we cannot visit as often as we'd like.  

Afterwards we went to a coffee house to warm up, the St. Louis Art Museum for the afternoon and then off for PIZZA.  The music was too loud at the Pizza place so we went to another coffee house to end the evening before "P" went HOME.  

The day turned out rainy so we did get wet and chilled.  Driving at night was turned over to my HUBBY as I have some eye challenges.  Between rain, wet roads and STL drivers it was nervy.  

We looked at this TRIP as a MINI VACATION.  Short as it were, we saw a lot of things and ate very well.  We were blessed to have no mishaps and arrived safely HOME.  The area of the Saint Louis Art Museum that has the room exhibitions were being renovated.  Disappointed, but there really wasn't anything I could do about it, but accept what was.  I was fortunate to see these before so I'll look forward to when I go back another time.  What a magnificent museum.

It's truly a lovely AUTUMN with the changing of the trees.  There's no denying it's obviously AUTUMN in the mid-west.  The temps are cooling down some.  Not ready for snow, but I know some parts of the U.S. are already having some.    

WE THOUGHT ABOUT GOING ON TO SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS TO THE PRESIDENTIAL ABE LINCOLN MUSEUM the next day, but as reality would have it we were too tired.  TOO TIRED.  Blessed to go to the Cross Country Meet in the first place.  I wished that I didn't wear out so easy.  Tis discouraging at times.    

On our way HOME, we drove past the Saint Louis Arch.  

Something wonderful to see.

On Sunday, we drove back to Kansas.  Stopped off at one ANTIQUE MALL along the way. Treated myself to a DARLING miniature Tea Set.  Pic later.  THOUGHT ABOUT getting back to working on the small COTTAGE porch and shuffling stuff inside the house.  Gotta make progress.  Amen and amen.

The traffic was heavily congested all the way to Illinois through Missouri and all the way HOME. On SUNDAY, I was so ready to be HOME where I don't have to deal with driving in so much traffic.  I don't do well in congested traffic.  Maybe I do better than I think, but my nerves go raw. 

Arrived safely HOME around 6 in the evening.  A lovely Sunday drive with blue skies and fluffy clouds.  Looking forward to a slow paced week after battling the interstate highway for over 6 hours.  

ABOUT THE HOUSE.  Thrilled that when we returned HOME that the pile of concrete that was left behind from jack hammering the old porch steps had been hauled off by a local service. Relieved.  One less thing to be bothered with when rebuilding the porch.  Can't wait until it is finished.  THOUGHTS of a cute COTTAGE PORCH are there in my head. 

PLANS FOR MONDAY. 

🎃Paying the City Bill.
🎃Picking up Rx.
🎃Trip to Manhattan. 

🎃Hubby plans on working on the COTTAGE PORCH!  Looking great.  This morning means a trip back to the lumberyard to purchase additional supplies.  I'm off to purchase some new cardboard boxes for storing things that I will pack up to get out of the house to let go in the SPRING.  

🎃Removing the contents off the kitchen bookcase so I can move it to the front bedroom today!  If I get this far I will feel as if I accomplished something.
🎃Laundry of course.
🎃Unpacking the week-end luggage.
🎃Walking for health.
🎃Cleaning up the two front porch urns and placing pumpkins on them.  I might try saving some of the coleus clippings off of these and rooting them out for an indoor plant.
🎃Picking some cherry tomatoes and peppers from our small garden.

🎃Quiet TIME.

TIME to pause and think about the week-end 

with LOVED ONES,
~d

MUCH NEEDED HISTORIC MINI VACAY IN THE FLINT HILLS

DRIVING THE DISTANCE TO THE CROSS COUNTRY MEET WOULD MEAN THAT WE'D GET HOME SUPER LATE after it was over.  Decided to stay overnight at the lovely 1860s CLOVER CLIFF RANCH BED AND BREAKFAST.  It is a short distance from where the meet was. 

We went early enough in the day to stop for lunch in Council Grove at the TRAIL DAYS restaurant that is full of history and conversation.  I had a BISON BURGER with baked beans and a delicious Cherry Berry Iced Tea.  The McClintocks are very special people where the history flows with delicious homemade meals.  I sat at a small table taking in the ambience of the lovely house they remodeled many years ago.  Gosh, it is so nice to eat and relax.

THE CROSS COUNTRY MEET STARTED AT 4 AND OUR GRANDDAUGHTER WOULD RUN AT 5.  Bless her heart, she took FIRST place running Varsity.  League Champion!  What a thrill to see her run across the beautiful Flint Hills.  It was incredibly WINDY and then the temps began to fall where we needed jackets to stay warm.  I believe I got my walk in for the day as I am sore and stiff.  

OUR CHAMPION

 

Took off after the AWARDS CEREMONY and drove to the Bed and Breakfast ready to collapse on the bed.  I was almost too tired to take a bath when we got there.  I wanted to watch the new television series MATLOCK with Kathy Bates.  I made myself stay awake then soaked in the deep tub getting out ready for sleep.  In the morning I took a hot shower so I could shampoo my hair.  After being at the Flint Hills event, my hair was dirty with a Kansas dusty residue.  Refreshed and ready for more adventure in Kansas on our mini-vacay.

We stayed in the Lincoln Honeymoon Suite.  A gorgeous room indeed.  

We had a delicious breakfast at Clover Cliff in the enclosed, wrap around veranda.  The house is a masterpiece of comfort and beauty.  Looking out of the window, the scenery was pleasant and oh so beautiful.  I could just park myself and stay put. 

After our wonderful and peaceful time at Clover Cliff, we drove over to Council Grove where Hubby got his chicken fried steak at the 1857 HAY's HOUSE.  His favorite dish.  

The Hay's House is the oldest restaurant west of the Mississippi.  I had an old fashioned hamburger.  🍔After I ate the whole thing, I critiqued my meal on how I could have cut calories to save face.

If I had taken the beef patty out of the bun and ate it with the toppings of lettuce, tomato, onion and pickles, I would have cut close to 128 calories not eating the bun.  I had a few French fries with ketch-up.  I was alright with the amount I ate.  I drank water.  A bonus.  NO DESSERT.  

Next door was a Antique Shoppe.  Went in and oohed and awed.  Very nice shoppe.  Clean and spacious.  I spied a amber colored Madrid Pattern dinner plate for $2.  I thought they had made a mistake, but hadn't.  As I looked about, I found a 8, 4 piece place settings of the same pattern with dinner plate, bowl, cup and saucer for $30.  About 94 cents a piece.  Woot woot.  Again, I thought they had made a mistake.  SOLD.  Hubby found an antique artist easel.  We were very happy with our purchases.

Drove over to another Antique store where we spied an old kitchen sink that could be an addition in our COTTAGE KITCHEN for an old farmhouse look.  Took measurements and pictures.  Needed to come home first and take more measurements before buying the sink with a drain side.  As we drove HOME, I said I think we found our sink!  The price was right.  Probably 1920ish 42" wide Antique American Standard White Cast Iron Enameled Farmhouse Kitchen Sink with left drain board.  20 " deep.  Makes my heart swoon.💗  

The route HOME is very hilly with a multitude of curves.  With it being windy, I had to drive with caution.  

Picked up the mail from the post office and came home to measure the space in the kitchen to see if it would work for the old sink.  Yep, it did.  Hubby phoned the shop and told them we'd come back to pick up the sink.  Hurray.  When we get ready to style the Kitchen, the Kitchen Sink will be ready to go.

A prosperous mini-vacay where I saw lots of history and loved it.  Looking out at the Kansas scenery was a treat.  Beautiful landscape of tall butterscotch colored grass and we took it all in.  Now that I am HOME, I can rest.

Recall.
Drove across the Flint Hills.
Drove to Council Grove for lunch.
Cross Country Meet.
Drove to Clover Cliff Ranch Bed and Breakfast.
Spent the night.
Breakfast.
Drove to Council Grove.
Lunch at the Hay's House.
Antique Mall.
Antique Shoppe.
Drove across the Flint Hills.
Mail pick up.
Home to rest.
Unload our spoils and overnight bags.

Over the last two days, I have seen a great deal of Kansas's beautiful landscape to admire and enjoy plus historic buildings.  Oh, to stay for a long time.  
~d