Sunday, August 2, 2009

July 4 - Kansas City, Missouri

From Little Rock we bolted to Kansas City. With in the city there is an amazing BBQ joint called Aruther Bryants. I don't even really like southern BBQ and this was amazing! It apparently has become a traditional hot spot for presidential candidates on their campaign trails as the walls are littered with photographs of politicians enjoying the pulled pork sandwiches. After waiting in line for 20 minutes for our food in the cuisine hotbed and unsuccessfully attempting to clean our plates from the huge mountains of meat, fries, and pickles we explored a bit of town.
James C. Olson is our great uncle. After he passed, the University of Kansas - Missouri dedicated this performing arts building in his honor. He taught for many years at the school and donated much of his free time their. It was really cool to see a family member honored in such a way. I had never seen the building before and unfortunately it wasn't open. Apparently there is a giant painting of him hanging inside the lobby. I don't recall ever meeting James, but visiting his building made me feel connected to his life and what he cared about.
It was the 4th of July and we wanted to fine something cool to do. There was a festival going on in the city that we had to board a shuttle to. Once we arrived though the sky turned a dark grey and the wind picked up so Jason and I decided to venture back to our campsite instead. Besides, it was like $10 to get into this festival that just didn't look worth it. The owners of the campsite graciously set up an ice cream stand in one of the campsites with the best view of fireworks. It was very nice of them and Jason and I got to mingle with some of the other campers. Although we were in a foreign city it was important to do something traditionally American. Nothing beats fireworks and ice cream!
Later that night we heard two people not far from us getting it on in their tent. NOTE: nylon tent walls are not soundproof!
There is an abundance of graffiti in Kansas City and I really wish I had photographed some of the cooler stuff. Boo.

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