June 17-July 8

Jackson County, Kansas City, MO and other excursions.

Back in December we had to have the transmission in our truck replaced.  We really lucked out because the transmission died just two weeks shy of the end of our extended warranty.

Shortly before arriving in Lee’s Summit Monte noticed we were low on transmission fluid.  Two days after adding fluid it was low again.  He contacted the extended the transmission company that held the warranty on the new transmission and they just happen to be located in Lee’s Summit.  CRAZY coincidence!

Long story short-after having the truck inspected at a shop referred by the warranty company who found metal flecks in the bottom of the pan, it was determined that the transmission should be replaced.  By this time we had reached our 14 day limit at the county campground where we were staying.  We were granted an extension.

While we were in the Jackson County area we did some exploring, attended shows and tried to keep cool during a heat wave with temps reaching 106 degrees.

 

 

We attended an open house, free to the public, at the local airport where we were treated to a parade of planes and then an air show. 

 

There were several small private planes on display as well as some aviation-related booths, food vendors and helicopter rides (for a fee).

 

 

 

Downtown Lee’s Summit hosts music in the park concerts on Friday nights. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At the B & B Theatre we tried a new type of movie experience called MX4D while watching Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom.  Some of the things we experienced that were synced to the action on the screen included seat rolls and tilts, wind and water mist.  I found the motions to be a distraction and not worth the extra cost.

We also visited two Jackson County Parks offering a glimpse into the past.

Just before the entrance to one of the parks we saw bison at the Native Hooved Animal Enclosure, a 110-acre fenced enclosure that is home to bison, elk and white-tailed deer.

Missouri Town 1855 is a rustic crossroads village that portrays an antebellum farming community dating from 1820-1860. 

 

 

Interpreters in period attire enhance the experience of this living history museum that includes furnishings and equipment depicting lifestyles in mid-19^th century Missouri.

 

 

Fort Osage functioned as one of the first military outposts and trade houses in the Louisiana Purchase. 

Under the direction of William Clark, the fort maintained the political stability in the region. 

 The structures were rebuilt according to documentation from archeological excavations.

 

 

 

 

  Interpreters provide insight into the daily life of the fort’s civilian and military population in 1812.

Fort Osage Visitor Center

  

On July 3^rd we were treated to an excellent fireworks display at Legacy Park.

For one of our excursions into Kansas City we took advantage of the free streetcar as well as the all day $3 bus pass. 

We parked in a garage in the Country Club Plaza area that was free of charge then took the bus to the Crown Plaza District to tour the Hallmark Visitor Center. 

A short film tells the story of how a Nebraska teenager tucked two shoeboxes of postcards under his arms and created an iconic, multi-billion dollar company in Kansas City. 

 

 

 

 

 

The walking tour’s timeline shows the humble beginnings to becoming one of the world’s largest creative communities.

Union Station is a short walk away from the Hallmark Visitor Center.  Union Station is at the centerpiece of Kansas City’s history. 

Opened in 1914, the station, at its peak in 1945, served over 670,000 passengers but declined in the 1950s and was closed in 1985. 

A $250 million dollar restoration was completed in 1999.  The station today, in addition to an Amtrak depot, includes a science center, theaters, restaurants and exhibition halls.

  

In one hall we toured the Model Rail Exhibit that features 8,000 square feet of toy trains from tiny Z-scale model trains to the big G-scale giants.

 

 

 

 

The upper floors of the station, house a museum with a timeline of the station’s history.

We took the street car to the Central Library Parking Garage in the Downtown area.

  Known as the Community Bookshelf, “the book spines, which measure 25 feet by 9 feet, showcase 22 titles reflecting a wide variety of reading interests.

Back in the Country Club Plaza area we toured the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art.

 

 

 

 

A short distance away is the Ewing and Muriel Kauffman Memorial Garden that draws inspiration from the couple’s journey through life and their commitment to share with others.

 

 

 

The garden features bronze sculptures and colorful annual and perennial plantings framed by stone walls, brick walkways and playful fountains.

 

 

 

We ended the day by having dinner at Jack Stack BBQ Restaurant where we shared a sampler platter that was delicious. 

One Exploration took us to Fort Leavenworth, some fifty miles away from the campground where we were staying.

As an active army installation a visitor pass is required to enter the fort.  Obtaining the pass was easy from the Visitor Center located a short distance from the entry post.  After showing our Florida driver’s license and a short interview explaining our reason for the visit we had our passes.

Built in 1927, Fort Leavenworth is the oldest active Army post west of Washington, D.C.  It is historically known as the “intellectual Center of the Army.

It was also the base of African-American soldiers known as Buffalo Soldiers, nicknamed by Native American tribes.

Fort Leavenworth was the destination for thousands of soldiers, surveyors, immigrants, preachers and settlers who passed through during the country’s westward expansion. 

Most of our time at the fort was spent at the Frontier Army Museum.  The main gallery highlights the efforts of the Frontier Army in exploration, expansion and protection of the Trans-Mississippi West from the Lewis and Clark Expedition to the chase of Pancho Villa by John Pershing.

The Beyond Lewis & Clark exhibit explores how the Corps of Discovery surveyed and mapped the American West in search of a passageway to the Pacific in 1804. 

Originally known as the United States Military Prison, the USDB was established by Act of Congress in 1874.  Prisoners were used for the bulk of the construction, which began in 1875 and was completed in 1921.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We also visited Fort Scott National Historic Site in Kansas.  The purpose of the fort, established in 1842, was to keep the peace between the settlers and the Native Americans. 

We timed our arrival just right to join a ranger-led tour followed by a small arms demonstration.

 

 

We had only planned on being in the Kansas City area for one week, but, as most people who live this crazy lifestyle know, plans change with unforeseen circumstances. 

We finally have our truck back so after 25 days in the same spot we are ready to move on.