Liberty Park and the best thrift store ever!

Again this morning I slept in. I must be getting older because it's taking me longer to adjust to the time zones. I'm determined tonight to get an early night and to rise earlier tomorrow... at least earlier than 10:30am.

Em had to work this afternoon so by the time I got up and we got out of the house, we didn't have a lot of time left to do much. Despite that, we did manage to get in some photo time and a visit to a thrift store where I personally funded the owner's next overseas vacation. *laughs* Well, almost.

First stop was Liberty Park, an area of parkland midway between Em's work and home.


It's a small but beautiful parkland with paved paths and large areas of lawn beside which creeks flow... or sit frozen solid as the case may be.

The park is bordered on two sides by housing estates. One house in particular caught my eye. It's three storeys with a full length balcony around the second storey and a smaller balcony on the third. It must be amazing inside, if it's well designed.

Along the main path I saw my first real life cardinal, a bright red bird with a crest. Despite my best attempts at photographing it, all I managed was to capture a fuzzy red blotch, but I'm sharing that anyway... it is my first cardinal, afterall. Maybe next time I'll see one in the snow!? *keeps fingers crossed*

Further on we found the creek, frozen over which made me bleat with happiness! Who knew frozen water could be so magical!?
On the way back we came across a small flock of birds. Emily tells me they're robins, so of course they had to be photographed as well.
From there we went to a thrift store located in a small warehouse lot near Em's work. We parked in front of elevated timber door with metal steps leading up to it. Affixed to the door was opening hours written in pen on paper but other than that, no indication that this was an operational store. I was hesitant but Em assured me that this was a legitimate thrift store and not the Liberty headquarters of the Hells Angel's motorcycle gang.

We stepped inside. What first appeared to be a small room with old clothes on racks and bric-a-brac on shelves and hanging from walls, became a substantial building with adjoining rooms of recycled and vintage goods. I found a small metal tin with a bald eagle on the lid and Em found some Hallmark collectables. Our confidence built and we searched more thoroughly and with increasing certainty of netting ourselves some great stuff. We were in heaven!

Some time later Em realised she was late for work but I wasn't done yet. She left me the things she had found so far and I started sorting through the necklaces and broaches. I'd also spied an emerald green dress and asked Carrie (the proprietor) if I could try it on. It's an A-line dress, flowing and soft, lined inside and with feathered netting on the top half. It's simply gorgeous and I was hoping it would fit.

It not only fit, but it fitted perfectly as though it were made for me! I did a little happy dance and trotted back to the counter. Now, of course, I needed a jacket to go with it and maybe even a hat. Carrie searched and sorted, aware of every item in her warehouse and able to immediately locate it. By the time I returned to the cash register I had so many things that I could barely carry it all. Then, while waiting for her to tally everything up (because she was giving discount upon discount off the already great prices), I spied a black leather jacket with black fur lining and a hood. My eyes boggled and my hands grabbed.

One quick changing room visit later and I'd snagged myself a new leather jacket. It even squeaks when I walk, and it's so soft, so heavy, soooo warm and oh so decadent! Mum, remember those jackets I tried on at Savers... well this one puts those to shame. *big grin*

Carrie also sells products online, thought it's hard to beat actually walking through a store like this. It's like an op-shop and an antique store and a recycled boutique all packaged into one. Her online store is here: Urban Resell.

We also got chatting and I found she really is an amazing woman who has travelled a lot, experienced much and values living every day to the fullest. She's now raising four children all under the age of 12 and is running her own business. She's an incredible woman and I plan on visiting her store several more times before I have to return home.

From there I carried my bulging bags across to Em's work (which is just across the street) and there I showed off my loot to her colleagues. Many appropriate oohs and aahs later, I stashed everything in the car and came back inside to keep Em company while she finished up her work day.

We came back home and I changed into more dressier clothes, tidied my room (finally emptied my suitcases and got everything stored neatly), set my USA tin and miniature pewter chairs onto my bed head, stored my new necklaces and clothes then put on the new jacket and out we went. Tonight we had dinner at Em's mum's house, a lovely warm and inviting home in the country where the stars are endless and the cold air is crisp.

Elaine, Em's mum, welcomed me with a warm hug as though I were an old friend. We only met a couple of times when I was here last, but I immediately felt comfortable and right at home. Mike and Myka also greeted me, with Mike welcoming me back to America. I loved that! I've had several welcome to America's now, and each one feels as good as the last.

We toured Myka's new room, which looks fantastic with white and green striping on the walls and colour coordinated bedspread and pillows. Myka still had the huge ball of tape left from taping the walls prior to painting.

Mike gave me some background information on how the room had come to be and his experiences as a carpenter. He also told me a little about his surgery and medical status and I admire his spirit.

We had a wonderful meal, a dish that's similar to shepherds pie but simpler and with swiss cheese on top. It tasted delicious and will be on my list of recipes to bake back at home. With it was peas and pickled... gherkins? I think. Em?? Help me out here. Whatever they were, I loved them and we're going to be getting some for me to have here and I'll have them when I get back home. You have just a few as a side dish, but the sour/sweet contrast is divine!

For dessert we had freshly baked cookies dipped in milk. I'd never have thought to do that, but it's such a great idea and tastes delicious. Some of my most cherished memories of this trip will be things like this night and sitting around dipping oven warm cookies into milk. Surely you can't get more American than that!? Now I just need the snow.... *sends snow thoughts toward sky*

After dinner we migrated to the living room and all sat around in front of a large screen television (yes, bigger than mine but not as big as Tonyas) to watch American Idol outtakes. I adore the outtakes and always watch the Aussie version. It's the best part of the show. As always, it was highly entertaining.

When the show finished we headed home as Em has to work all day tomorrow and I have to try to get into a proper wake/sleep pattern. As it was, I didn't fall asleep until at least two hours after I went to bed, but I did get some more reading done which was good.

I swear though, if I weren't such a proud Australian I'd immigrate immediately! I never thought it possible to feel so at home while not at home. At one stage Mike said that people in Kansas City are some of the friendliest in the country, and you know what, I believe him.

Inauguration Day - President Obama

Today I witnessed history!

To start off an incredible day, I looked out the kitchen window and saw snow! Real snow! The predicted flurries had arrived... albiet somewhat weak but still I wasn't complaining. See, my snow dance is working! :-)
The snow petered out but more will come, of that I am sure. I'm singing the snow song on almost a daily basis: Let it snow

On a snow high, we drove to Independence, Missouri and joined several hundred people in the Truman Museum theatre to watch, live on CNN, the inauguration of the 44th President of the United States -- the first black president, a moment in history that was incredible and unforgettable.

I am beyond proud to have been a part of it! If I had known the words to the national anthem, I'd have sung along with everyone else, hand on heart and all. It was difficult not be moved, this is an event watched and weighed upon by the world and it couldn't have come at a better time.

This theatre was one of hundreds (possibly thousands) around the country where Americans gathered to watch this event and to cheer for the man they see as their hope for the future.

Em and I arrived to a near empty carpark and the expectation that we could have the theatre to ourselves. That perception dissolved upon starting up the ramp to the building because from the other direction came a throng of adolescents; a disparate group of young adults with varying degrees of attention to personal attire and acne reduction. One young guy dressed in army fatigues and sporting a mop of unbrushed blond hair caught my eye and I whispered to Em that he looked like he would rather shoot his fellow students than sit with them. Appearances are not everything though, and two young guys (without prompting from their teacher) stopped the line and ushered us through. Civalry it seems is not dead, especially in midwest America.

Once inside, we collected our free (souvenir) tickets and queued into the theatre. It was dark inside with many people already seated and the rest of us stumbling along in the hope of snagging a seat. We did and once comfortably ensconced, we sat back to allow history to unfold before us.
There were no flash cameras allowed. Though some people did use them, I did not feel it my place (as an international visitor) to shun the rules so I relied on the ambient light to capture some shots and video.

As the former presidents and first ladies walked down the steps and to their places, the crowd in the theatre responded with varying degrees of enthusiasm. When Bill and Hilary Clinton appeared, the theatre rang with applause. In sharp contrast, George Bush received nothing but silence, a contrasting absence of appreciation and sound. Later, as a token of respect no doubt, some applause accompanied his appearance on the steps and as he walked to his seat -- it was a far cry from the joyous applause granted to Barack Obama and his family. This a man much loved by America, and it makes me incredibly proud.
The ceremony ran late, and the commentator warned early on that Barack would become president before the swearing in ceremony. When that became a reality a man beside me shook his head and expressed some mild dissatisfaction, but that soon passed as Biden was sworn in and then Barack and his family stepped up.

I videoed the taking of the vow, including Barack's slip-up which endeared him to be even more. Best of all this video shows the audience response. I'm sure I teared up at this point. I mean, who wouldn't!? :-)

Obama's taking of the vow: Truman Museum theatre, Independence MO

We stayed around to watch the President's poet, then to stand as everyone sang the national anthem. A woman behind me had a sweet voice and she sang with all her heart. It made me wish I knew the words.

Outside the theatre, the local news team interviewed people and Emily suggested I go up as an Australian representative. I laughed, but didn't go.

One of the news crew saw us trying to find an impromptu tripod and so took this photo of us. He waved aside my compliment of his photographic skills, but I was impressed by the care he took to frame the shot and to get the right exposure -- no quick snap-snap by that guy.
From there we headed to the shopping mall, the same place that when I was here last time I was told not to take photos... so this time I didn't take photos. We wandered around looking at clothes, trying to find an Obama t-shirt. One store had some but there weren't any styles that I liked and even if i had, the sizes were all too large.

The shop assistants, several college aged students with Goth tendencies, chattered between themselves and part of the conversation was the great rush on Obama merchandise prior to the Inauguration. What they did have in stock was an Obama singing doll, but that was just too creepy for words.

We tried Target after that and I was surprised to find that Targets over here are combined manchester and groceries. See, even on my third stay in the US, I'm still surprised by things. By now I should feel like a local, and in some ways I do.

Of note is that prices have gone up in the 18 months since I was last here, especially clothes. They are now on a par with Australian prices, especially when I take into account the exchange rate. I saw some things that I might have liked but the prices put me off. I'll try thrift stores instead.

We headed home and I got online and found a great long sleeve t-shirt. I've ordered it to have it delivered here.

Later, we headed to the gym and then back home for dinner with the intention of having an early night, but clearly my timezone acclimitizing isn't quite up to scratch just yet and we again stayed up late scrap-booking and talking writing, with beer and chips, of course.

We tried two new beers, one with lime added and the other is a local, Sam's I think. Neither were particularly great, but not undrinkable. We have plenty of others to try though and the days are still very young.

All in all though, I had an incredible day! One I will remember a long time!

Watkins Mill - more photos, and Christmas

Here are the remainder of my Watkins Mill photos.

We stopped in there for a couple of hours on Monday evening. It was heading for dark when we got there, and the Canadian Geese were flying in to land on what parts of the lake were not frozen. Watkins Mill is a state park on the site of an old woolen mill and farming property. It's north of Kansas City, as can be seen from the map below.

This link has more information about the site: Watkins Woolen Mill State Park

I have never before seen a frozen lake, been close enough to touch it, to feel it, to tap against its skin like rapping knuckles on a window pane. It seemed to have been snap frozen, leaves and twigs suspended in ice like fossils caught in frosted glass. If it weren't for the cold air in my lungs and the bitter chill on my face, I'd not have believed it to be real.

Here ice bows under the weight of a leaf, or so it seems.

Diamonds in the leaves.
I dared to brave the chill without gloves, for at least part of the time. Emily shows me how to take great shots and to preserve a small measure of warmth.

As we walked deeper into the park, the sun sets behind the clouds.
We came across a small creek with water running from a drain -- another scene frozen in time.
One last shot as we leave shows snow in the car park gutter that crunches beneath the feet, freezes the fingers, gives a hint of the beauty that will be when new snow falls.
We will come back here again.

We stopped in back at home then went out again to the gym. Em showed me around and the woman behind the counter let me go in for free. Daily rates are $7.95 and we intend to go almost every day. She suggested we speak to the office manager to see if there's a better deal could be worked out, and handed me a business card.

The gym is fantastic, well laid out with lots of treadmills, bikes, steppers and elliptical machines. There's one rower but it doesn't seem very popular so I easily got a turn on that. The weight training/resistance machines are modern and set apart from the free weights. They have machines that I know and some that I don't, so we tried almost every one of them. I discovered muscles I never even knew I had. *laughs*

Once we were tired and sweaty, we did some abdominal curls and stretches and headed home.

Back at home we had dinner, a great meal with pasta and chicken, salad and veggies. I do feel as though I'm at a health retreat with fabulous healthy food and regular exercise! At this rate, I will go home a new woman!!

We then cracked a smirnoff each and dived into Christmas... unwrapping presents, that is. The dogs loved the gifts I gave them, and I feel so spoiled and loved with what Em gave me. I even cried, but they were happy tears.

It was well worth the wait, and beneath a real christmas tree so it didn't matter that there wasn't snow outside (well aside from the little patch of ice on the front path that just won't melt). We even forgot the eggnogg, but smirnoff is better.

And there sees off another fantastic day!

Watkins Mill

Tonight we went to Watkins Mill, north of Liberty to see frozen water... lots of frozen water! It was awesome!! I stepped in snow, poked at a frozen lake, took heaps of photos, lay in wet dirt and generally had a blast!

The remainder of the photos will be uploaded in a day or two, but here's one of me looking very pleased with myself. I love winter in Missouri!!

Emily has some of her photos uploaded. Click here to see: http://www.flickr.com/photos/27650883@N05/?saved=1

USA - Flying from LAX to Kansas City

Flying from Los Angeles to Kansas City (Midwest Airlines).


We took from from LAX and briefly headed out over the ocean before turning back toward the mainland to head east.

Part of Los Angeles in all its concrete glory.

Prior to take off, the pilot informed us that we were taking the reverse of a flight he had taken this morning. During the morning flight he had been granted supreme views of the Grand Canyon due to the clear cold weather. He suggested we keep an eye out for similar views. I'm not sure what my fellow passengers did, but I sure as hell kept my eyes to the windows, which was easy given my rear and window seating.

True to his word, we were afforded some beautiful views. The below batch of photos show Arizona below -- Canyon country.


If the desert and burned browns weren't beautiful enough, further inland we came across snow. At first I didn't recognise it as such, being so used to seeing inland salt lakes. It soon dawned on me that this wasn't salt I was seeing, but snow. Lots and lots of snow! Best guess, this is New Mexico, near the Colorado state line.For a while here I wondered if we'd slipped off course and headed to Antarctica instead. How beautiful is this!? What an incredible way to start my winter holiday!Imagine living in this little town in the centre of a vast snow wasteland. I think this is either Colorado or Kansas.
These shots below are my favourites because of the contrast between the plains, the inky black mountains and the chocolate coloured sands that seem to deny the presence of snow. Once we left the snow behind we had about another hour flying time into Kansas City, which is beautiful in its own right.
As I'm staring out the window I think I see frozen water... surely not!?
Ohmygosh!! It *is* frozen water... and there's a frozen river!!! I love this place!! :-)
And then I landed and Emily and Lucky met me and my holiday has officially begun!!! :-)