Way too much fun...

Kansas City Mo.

WWI Museum

Baseball Museum of the Negro Leagues

Jenifer and her parents. What a treat to see her play in the K.S. Symphony

The concert was amazing, with a glorious fireworks show afterwards.

On to Colorado

A run off waterfall as we drove from Vail to Paonia

Peonies Flower where Paonia got its name.

This is growing in Mary Jane and John's front yard.

Yes, they have amazing " Green Thumbs"

John and Mary Jane's front yard. Wow, I know!

Telluride

Colorado Elk!

Black Canyon

John, Mary Jane and Richard, it was an amazing sight.

Mary Jane took Richard and I on a " Asparagus Hunt"

John BBQ'ed it for dinner. Yum

Mary Jane is the best cook in the entire world! We had the best meals, along with a wonderful visit. Lots of laughter, games and tourism.

Had a visit from " Ramon" too....=)

Thank you to you both! We love you so very much.

I always feel safe in his arms.

Stay tuned

For

Kansas City, Mo

Salina, Russell and Colby, Kansas

Need to upload my photos...We are in Vail, Colorado.

Will be with Mary Jane and John in

Paonia, Colorado until Tuesday

so...

Stay Tuned

xoxoxoxo

Photos Only

Sharing more photos of our Iowa Days....

Many roads in Iowa are gravel and very dusty!

And of course the covered bridges!

Buddy Holly's Crash Site

The plane crashed after they played here at the " Surf Ballroom"

This is the Bed & Breakfast in De Moines we found.

It was a beautiful home and the Inn Keeper was so nice.

Kansas City and onward now. Stay tuned...

Iowa

Our Day in Iowa

What a find! B&B in De Moines where it was " A Soft Place to Land"

Had the Master Suite and we both slept like babies.

Hit the road to tour the beautiful "Bridges of Madison County"

Drove by the actual home used in the movie which had burned inside with enough damage to close it down, just a few years ago. They had filmed inside and out of the home so it was unfortunate not to be able to take that sight in.

So we drove on into Winterset a small town where John Wayne was born. There was a town celebration going on to honor him which they have every year. It is also the town in which most of the movie had been filmed for " Bridges of Madison County". If you have not seen the movie, I highly recommend it! =)

We drove by more covered bridges on our way out of town,taking all back roads to get to our destination for the night, St. Joseph, Missouri. (Very dusty) Drove by the home where Jesse James was killed and The Pony Express Museum which were both closed at 5:05 PM.

Went to the grocery store, bought salad and wine and are calling it a night. :)

A beautiful day we had.

On to Kansas City

Holliwell Bridge

Roseman Bridge ( both were in the movie)

Northside Cafe' ( from the movie)

John Wayne's Birthplace

Jesse James was killed in this home. The home was moved from its original location in town.

Minneapolis

Rest, Shopping, Baseball, Cuban Food, California Buddy

After a long day of driving we settled into our two room suite with a living room and bedroom for some much needed rest and relaxation. Andy flew in from California and met up with us the same day to attend yet another ballpark with Richard. They took in two games while I got my shop on at The Mall of America! Slept in, rested, and did our laundry.

Today was a beautiful warm, sunny perfect weather for our tour of the Twin Cities. Northfield is a great little town with old buildings and shops. The original bank is still standing where "The James Gang" was repulsed by the town folk when they attempted to rob the bank. ( Richard is extremely interested in the Wild West History). I enjoy the history as well.We had lunch at a place called Victor's 1959 Cuban Cafe which was featured on the Food Channel, which we took note of it knowing we would be in the area. It was the best meal we have had so far on our trip. Then we drove down Summit Ave. of the most beautiful Victorian homes including that of Tim Pawlenty the Governor of Minnesota.

Bank that was robbed.

Victor's 1959 Cuban Cafe

On to Kansas City with many stops in Iowa...stay tuned...

Cleveland and Beyond

Detroit " The Motor City"

We stayed in the Book Cadillac building that had been condemned for 20 years. Has been completely rebuilt and is now a beautiful Westin Hotel and Condominiums.

Rode the People Mover around the city; saw the ballparks and the beautiful old buildings many of which stand empty.

We could see Canada across the river!

Had dinner at the Hard Rock Café.

Took a tour of “ Hitsville USA” home of “ Motown”

Drove to Gary Indiana to see the childhood home of Michael Jackson. The home stands empty and is completely fenced with an unveiled monument on the front lawn. A very destitute area indeed.

On to Crown Point to see the old jail from which John Dillinger escaped not long before he was shot and killed outside the Biograph Theatre in Chicago. The old Court House still stands and has hosted the marriage of Valentino and Ronald Reagan’s marriage to Jane Wyman.

While in

Chicago we

stayed at the “ W” Hotel on Lakeshore Drive. Walked many miles of beautiful, clean downtown streets including the “Magnificent Mile” of shopping!

Took the double decker bus tour all around Chicago. Went to the top of the now called “ Willis Tower” and stepped out onto the glass enclosure 104 floors looking straight down to the streets of Chicago! Yes, Richard was holding on! =)

Walked out on the Navy Pier, drove by Wrigley, went to the Oprah Store which is right across the street from Harpo Studios!

Drove by The Biograph Theatre where Dillinger was killed after being lured to the theatre by the "Lady in Red".

408 Miles Including the worst Thunder, Lightning , Rainstorm we have ever been in!!

After an eight hour drive to Minneapolis, I am off to the Mall of America.

Richard will see two ballgames at the new Target Field his 52nd ballpark!

We will spend three nights in Minneapolis.

Motown

Crown Point

Chicago

Yes, we did!

Cleveland to Detroit

180 miles

Today was a short driving day although we covered so much!

Toured the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for over 3 hours!

Drove to Detroit

Took the People Mover around town.

Had dinner at the Hard Rock

Pictures will be up tomorrow or so. Oh and we can see Canada across the Detroit River.

Our Hotel is the Westin Book Cadillac which was built in 1925 and at that time it was the tallest Hotel in the world! Many of the old beautiful buildings have been condemned including this hotel which was renovated beginning in 2007.

Tomorrow we will see Motown here in Detroit then on to Crown Point, Indiana where John Dillinger escaped from jail. On to Michael Jackson's boyhood home in Gary, Indiana, ending our day in Chicago where we will stay for three nights.

Stay tuned....