Last week when Joan and I met up for an adventure, I told her "tell Chuck you won't be home until at least 3:30, I have plans for us", without missing a beat, she assured me she was up for it.
If you live in the KC area, and you go to Family Tree Nursery, you probably already know about the coffee spot that's there now (Equinox). Outside! With distanced tables! Among the plants! Some kind of a genius thinker put this plan together. Win-Win.
After getting a couple of "blue moon" latte's we hit the road for a history lesson.
We headed to City Hall, where I had planned for us to have a view of the city from the Observation Deck. Which, it turns out, has been closed since COVID hit.
No matter. This extremely nice security guard and one of his buddies told us to go up to the 28th floor and look out the windows and then go to the 26th floor and look at the photos of all the previous mayors.
Which we did, and found enjoyable as well as informative. I did not know that Kansas City was "chartered" in 1850. But now I do. The building has a cool Art Deco style with interesting details. A return visit when the deck is open will be planned.
Next up - the West Bottoms and a trip to the new (to me) Hammerpress location. I do so love all things letterpress and this store never disappoints.
We drove among the warehouses and spotted places to return to on some "first Friday" when most of them are open. Antique stores, art spots, places I couldn't say what they were... all interesting looking.
We cruised by the Crestwood shops to see what was in the windows.
Then a stop for lunch at Aixois. Which by the way, has the best French onion soup. Their drink menu looked intriguing and when it warms up, cocktails on the patio will be happening. Gosh it was good to get "out" just a bit. in a way that can only be met in the company of a dear friend.
P.S. Less you think I am out and about and behaving indiscriminately, Joan and I have both received vaccines (me as a health care provider, she as a volunteer vaccinator), are well versed in social distancing, and are masked up. All the spots we visited had mask requirements, and they were well enforced.