Kansas City Pride and Pasta
June 9, 2024 - Reading time: 3 minutes
I began my first full day in Kansas City with a cup of coffee in the cozy VRBO then took a walk around the Plaza across the street to see what was new since my last visit in 2019. It was bright and sunny at 8:00 a.m. with the area already bustling for a Saturday. I discovered a few cool murals.
By 9:00 a.m. lots of folks began lining Broadway Blvd with camping chairs in the shade. I learned last night the annual Pride Parade was happening in the morning when my daughter and I dined in Westport, the section of the city just north of where I am staying. Well, as luck would have it, the parade route was just across the street from my rental. It was so joyful! I took way too many photos and videos to share in one post.
After the parade, my daughter recommended Chez Elle Creperie and Coffee House, where I enjoyed the best latte macchiato of my life and the two of us split a couple of crepes: one with brie, green apples and figs and the other filled with fresh berries, bananas and cream. So yummy!
That evening one of our daughter's besties since college joined us for dinner at Cupini's Italian Restaurant. We shared a bottle of cabernet and filled our bellies with garlic bread and pasta. I opted for chicken and prosciutto tortellini. Afterwards, we all relaxed at her apartment for a movie night. It was colorful and delicious first day!
Mountain Mishap
June 8, 2024 - Reading time: 4 minutes
Day One of Travel
Great weather. Car serviced weeks ago. Gas tank filled. Was feeling great as I headed out on the first leg of the trek to KCMO with an overnight stay planned in Nashville to rest up on the way. As the gas tank dwindled down to a quarter of a tank past Asheville, NC, and with Google Maps alerting me that construction delays were imminent on the many miles ahead of mountain interstate, I pulled over to fill up at a small town station. I was feeling very proactive about this decision - my first fuel stop of a 3 week trip. "Feeling cute, eh?" thought the mischievous universe, because as the tank reached "full" the automatic stopper failed on the pump and gasoline spewed all down the side of my car, the rear tire, and into an enormous puddle in which stood my newly purchased, extra thick soled walking/hiking shoes. Seven years. I have owned my car for seven years and this has never happened.
Immediately, while cursing (wouldn't you?), I sprang into action, grabbed two unopened water bottles from the pallet in the back seat and poured them over the side panel and tire. Then, I pulled around to a parking spot away from the pump and began pouring water over the soles of my shoes. Ugh. Luckily my socks and skin were not affected; however, as I made my way down I-40 the smell of gasoline fumes was OVERWHELMING. I rolled down the window for a bit. Then Google suggested another route to bypass the upcoming delays which would save 55 minutes. Yes, please. I took the exit, as the sky grew darker, but no rain just yet. Descending into the absolutely loveliest valley of green rolling hills, I rolled up the window. Nope. The fumes were not having that. Back down with the window.
The thing about a picturesque, slow moving drive through a Thomas Kinkade puzzle, with fresh country air hitting you in the face is that it gives you a moment to think more clearly (that and the high from the gas fumes was subsiding). I had rinsed off my shoes. Why is the smell inside still so strong? Then it dawned on me. When I entered the car at the pump to move the car to a parking space, I had stepped on the floor mat under the pedal and brakes before rinsing my shoes. There had to be gas all over it.
Sure enough, back on the interstate with light rain drops in my face at this point because that window was NOT going to be rolled up anytime soon (I'm not crying, you're crying), I finally reached a rest area to check. Yep. The mat reeked and so did my shoes. Still. Sigh. I removed the mat and tossed it in the bin. Changed into flip flops and put my sneakers in a sealed bag in the back of the car. So. Much. Better.
In the Nashville hotel 5 hours later, I scrubbed the shoe soles with the lemon sugar body wash provided by the Hilton. (Thank you, Paris.) Sniffing the soles afterward, I could still smell gasoline but not as strongly. So, I hung the shoes in front of the A/C wall unit to dry until morning. And y'all...I gave up on going into downtown Nashville that evening. I simply didn't have it in me. Blake Shelton will just have to wait until I'm feeling fresher - me and my shoes.
Fast forward to this morning, 36 hours later in a cozy Kansas City apartment, and the traces of gasoline odor are still present on the sneaker soles. But, those are my hiking shoes. They are comfortable. I have loved them and cleaned them and cared for them and by golly I am wearing them next week to hike in the 120 degree Utah desert of sand and rocks. Here's to hoping my feet don't burst into flames.
The Colmar Pocket & The Black Forest
June 28, 2023 - Reading time: 4 minutes
The last day of our trip was by far the most moving. We spent the morning in a small group with a wonderful guide as we toured two French villages (one of which contains a small WWII museum maintained by the local residents) in the Colmar Pocket, an area liberated from the Nazis by American and French forces during the harshest of winters in 1945. We also visited a cemetery of French soldiers on a hillside overlooking the farms and villages that were freed due to their sacrifice. A memorial wall is at the cemetery flying the American flag and featuring the U.S. military patches of all the regiments and battalions who fought alongside the French. Our final stop of the morning was the spot where U.S. Army Lt. Audie Murphy held his famous “one man stand” for over an hour atop a tank on fire to repel German forces from further attacking his fellow soldiers. Soon thereafter, the village was liberated, but at the cost of many American servicemen. Our guide recounted the events of that day in Lt. Murphy’s own words, reading quotes from his memoir “To Hell and Back.” She finished with a poem of remembrance and there was not a dry eye among us standing on that historic, sacred ground.
You know, people say the French have snooty opinions about Americans and vice-versa; but we did not find that to be the case at all, especially in Alsace and Eastern France. They have erected memorials, museums, and have common goals of freedom for all people. We were treated with so much kindness on this trip. They have not forgotten. 
Look closely on the right of the photo above. The U.S. flag and French flag are placed at the roadside where American soldiers led by Audie Murphy fought to liberate the village of Holtzwihr. 
Photos from the museum appear below of the villagers who survived. 
Below, the bridge from Germany to France that crosses the Rhine River in Alsace is currently lined on both sides with the national flag of Ukraine. The parallel of past and present are haunting. 
We finished the day in the mountains of Germany’s Black Forest. Beautiful rolling hills of farmland and trees. It’s the land of so many cuckoo clocks! Caught a glimpse of someone parasailing, too. 
Strasbourg, France
June 26, 2023 - Reading time: ~1 minute
France!!! Made it to France!! And the people of this region are as lovely as the flowers boxes lining the bridges and windows. We were gobsmacked by the Notre Dame Cathedral - the stained glass windows and the clock of all clocks! Got in some wine, cheese, street market shopping and chocolate fondue with fresh fruit. You know ~ all things French!
Speyer, Germany
June 25, 2023 - Reading time: ~1 minute
Spent the morning on a nature walk with Ryan’s family stationed here overseas. We enjoyed a fantastic lunch outdoors at a Greek cafe. Then jetted off to Speyer for tours of the Catholic and Lutheran cathedrals. This location played a key role in the Protestant Reformation. Capped off the day with outstanding gelato! 
Koblenz, Scenic Castle Sailing & Rüdesheim
June 24, 2023 - Reading time: 3 minutes
Morning: Toured the lovely town of Koblenz with the fragrant scent of Linden tree blossoms filling the air. Colorful gardens, window boxes of flowers, and interesting sculptures around every corner. We were so very moved to find our first set of stumbling stone markers in memorial to the victims who perished under Nazi regime of WWII. 
Afternoon: Scenic sailing on the top deck with castle after castle along the 3 hour Rhine River route. Beautiful vineyards along the terraced hillsides. 
Evening: Strolling through Rüdesheim shops and enjoying authentic schnitzel with red pepper chili pomme frites. Afterwards, watching the sunset over the hills at a quaint little wine garden we passed on the way back to the ship. 
