Stomping Grounds!
May 8-20, 2022
On our northward trail to annual doctor appointments, we found ourselves camped south of Kansas City at Hillsdale State Park, near our former stomping grounds!
Although Dick and I are both proud ISU alumni, we never met on campus. We both took jobs in Kansas City following our graduation from Iowa State University and that is where we met! Monica was a mutual acquaintance that set us up on a blind date, the Bumble or Hinge of the olden days!
 |
| Cindy and Alan help us add the Kansas sticker! |
We packed as much as we could into our short time in the area, including a visit with Cindy and Alan! Dick and Alan both worked at Black & Veatch, which is how we met. Cindy and Alan made the trip to Hillsdale State Park to spend the afternoon catching up and reminiscing. It was Mother’s Day, so before we parted ways, we treated ourselves to “Fancy Like Applebee’s on a date night”! (A great song by Walker Hayes!) So fun!
We couldn’t help but spend an entire day visiting all of the sites we hung out at “back in the day”! Black & Veatch is a consulting engineering firm in Overland Park where Dick spent the first few years of his career. Schlagle High School was my first teaching position where I taught sewing, dating and marriage, child development, and foods classes. I don’t think I ever taught the same class twice! Five preps every semester – good grief! I’d never have the energy today!
It was fun to stop by Westport! When we lived here, Westport meant eclectic shops and great night life spots to us! Now that we know Westport was a major launching point for Overlanders to prepare for and begin their trek to Oregon, it took on a whole new feel for us!
 |
| I always wondered why this wagon was here! |
Kansas City is known as the “City of Fountains”, said to have more fountains than Rome! Several of these fountains can be found in the Country Club Plaza which is not far from Westport. The Plaza has always been a favorite KC spot of ours. The distinct architecture of the area (designed to reflect the architecture of KC’s sister city, Seville, Spain) sets this high-end shopping center apart! By the way, this was the nation’s first shopping center, designed in 1922 by J C Nichols!
Gates B-B-Q was always a favorite of ours, but we decided to update our BBQ palate a bit and take out an order from Jack Stack. Don’t get me wrong, Gates remains a local favorite and it was difficult to pass up! At the same time, we were not disappointed with Jack Stack. Their burnt ends were out of this world and it was fun to try a new, local favorite!
After a couple of days filled with nostalgia, it was time to continue our trail north! This took us to Walnut Woods State Park in West Des Moines, only seven miles from Maggie and Luke’s home! Norah is already 19 months old and talking up a storm! It was beyond delightful to spend time with this precious young family! Norah loves spotting airplanes in the sky and I couldn’t help playing airplane with her in their backyard!
We spent a morning with Norah at the Children’s Museum, which was a ton of fun for all of us! Driving the bus, playing in bubbles, delivering mail, painting and grocery shopping were all so very engaging and entertaining for Norah.
A morning at Blank Park Zoo was another hit! The goats and lions were a bit intimidating, but the giraffes seemed safe and the carousel ride was a lot of fun!
As long as I can remember, my mom always had a rhubarb plant. I had taken a cutting from Mom’s plant years ago and always enjoyed making her rhubarb bread from it! Before we sold our home, both Maggie and Lauren had cuttings from Mom’s transplanted rhubarb plant in Hastings. It was so fun to pick Mom’s rhubarb from Maggie’s back yard and make some of her delicious bread from it! Norah LOVED it!
We were able to give Maggie and Luke a bit of a break for a couple of evenings, allowing them a few “date nights”. I think it was more of a treat for us, however! It was delightful to have some quality time with Norah and learn a few of her favorites! Everything pasta is a big hit for dinner as well as sweet potatoes. Asparagus and broccoli were big no-go’s! Evening stroller rides around the neighborhood were a nice way to wind down before bedtime! Books are a big love as well as changing diapers on her dolls. Although we didn’t turn on the television ourselves, I do know Cocomelon is another big love of Norah’s! I understand it is the new rage among toddlers!
Des Moines has a great farmers market! Although it was considerably smaller than what I remember from pro-covid days, it was nice to see things opening back up again. It was actually a little intimidating to be walking around the crowded streets of the market. Even though we were outdoors, it was strange to be among so many people. After a couple of years of social distancing and wearing masks, it became normal to have some space around you. I look forward to the day when normal actually feels normal again, if you know what I mean!
We did manage to find a common date for a few of the Green family members and met up to enjoy a pot luck picnic together. Both of my sisters were able to come along with their husbands and some of their family members. My brother’s daughter was also able to carve out some time from their busy family’s schedule and come to the gathering! Mom dreamt of us continuing to gather together after she and dad were gone. I pictured Mom and Dad smiling down from heaven as we grilled brats and burgers and filled our plates with all of the classic pot luck foods! And yes, Norah loved the playground!
Besides family, we were able to get together with several friends while we were in Des Moines!
Another friend I enjoyed reconnecting with was Sally! Sally and I grew up together. We were in the same class for at least our 2nd , 3rd, 4th, and 6th grades. We were also in Girl Scouts together! It was wonderful meeting her husband Dean and catching up on the paths our lives have taken us on since the last time we saw each other in 1975! Good grief! How does time go by so quickly? Sally and Dean live outside of Ankeny and also enjoy traveling. Their 5th wheel camper takes them on a bit more of a traditional vacation! You know, the kind where you pack your bags and groceries, load up the camper and leave for a few days or possibly weeks? Some day we will get back to a normal life and experience such things again! We really do need to plan a spot to meet up, Sally! It would be fun to camp together with you and Dean someplace!
Brad and Kathy made the trip from Cedar Rapids to join us for a couple of days in Des Moines. We filled our time biking portions of the Raccoon River Trail and getting in a few games of pickleball! It is always great to spend time with Brad and Kathy! Dick and I had not been on our bikes for quite a while, so while our rear ends did a little complaining, the rest of our bodies and minds loved it! It must be the Iowa girl in me, but riding through the country side, with the corn fields freshly plowed and seeded is such a nourishing sight! I just loved seeing those two-inch-high corn plants neatly defining the rows of what will soon be providing corn for so much of the world! Ah, Iowa!!
Our final bike ride together ended in Minburn where the former railroad depot has been converted into a bar. Nineteen 14 (the year the depot was built) quenched our thirsts with refreshing beer and delicious iced tea. It was a great way to end a couple of days of good exercise, fresh air and great company!
Saying goodbye to Iowa was difficult, but knowing we will be back in a year gave us solace. Little Norah was especially difficult to leave. It was so heartwarming to see our relationship with this little one grow. Her smile seemed to grow bigger and brighter with each visit we had with her. We’re so thankful for technology and the ability it gives us to at least stay connected digitally with loved ones! Being back in our old stomping grounds has been such a huge blessing! Yes, Iowa – we will be back!
Up Next: Twin Cities
Comments
Post a Comment