VDR Trip: Day 4, Independence sights

Lawson, MO – Independence, MO – Lawson, MO
111 miles, 2 hrs, 53 min
Appx fuel costs: $35.00
Adm. Fees: $62.00
Camping Fees: $21

Today we're waking up at the State Park and then heading out for a day of sightseeing.  Some things look like fun!  Well, for the grown-ups anyhow.  It's all about the history ya know!  We'll have to budget our time, though, because I'm pretty sure we'll spend too much time in one area and not have enough time for another area.   

Ready?

OK

Here we go!!!! Oh, and BTW, we will be doing the stopping and stuff in this order.

1st stop this morning:  ​ The Hall of Waters, 201 E. Broadway, Excelsior Springs, MO

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#2 - Jesse James Farm, 21216 Jesse James Farm Road, Kearney, MO
  Admission Fees: Adults $8/ Children $4.50

There are EIGHT virtual geocaches here! Yup!  That's right!  What's a virtual geocache, you ask?  Well, it's a geocache like any other geocache but it doesn't contain a physical treasure like you would find in a hidden ammo box or tupperware container.  Instead, the location is the treasure; a special place that should be easy to recognize as the "correct location".  This place might be strange, interesting, unique, or special in some way.  As you travel further with me on my virtual journey, you may see this symbol which will represent a virutal cache can be found nearby.

 #3 - (Optional) Rhino Tombstone, 101 East Kansas Street, Liberty, MO

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#4 - ​​First Daylight Bank Robbery, Jesse James Bank Museum, Liberty, MO 
Adults $6 / Children $3.50 = $19 

#5 - National Frontier Trails Center, 318 W. Pacific, Independence, MO 64050

​​Admission Fees: Adults $6, Children $3 = $18

This geocache symbol signifies a "multi-cache".  That's basically a geocache that you have to solve a puzzle to find instead of just finding the location.  It's a little more difficult to find unless you're a good puzzle solver.

 ​​#6 & #7- Harry S. Truman NHS and the Truman Farm Home. Admission is $4 for Adults and children under 15 are FREE.  Admission fee will permit visitation to BOTH the Truman Home and the Truman FARM Home.  (In my research, I got confused and thought they were both the same house, but they're not.  They ARE, in fact, two separate houses.)

BTW, another reason I enjoy the National Historic Sites and Parks is because I get to help my girls with their Junior Ranger books and I get to get my National Park Passport stamped.  I love stamping my Passport!!!  If you aren't familiar with the Passport program, follow the link by clicking on the words National Park Passport.   

#8 - (For the Girls) Anita B. Gorman Conservation Discovery Center, Kansas City, MO
Admission: FREE

Now, before heading back to the state park, I HAVE to complete a Geocaching Challenge.  What's that?  Oh, well, it's bascially the same as a virtual cache but the basic idea is to "Go somewhere, Do something".  Like getting a self video of yourself singing a song in Times Square, or take a picture of yourself walking through the Bradenburg Gate in Berlin. 

I'm choosing to look ONLY for music related challenges on this trip.  That being said, my first challenge will be to get a pic of myself playing the piano at the corner of "12th and Vine"!!!  (Recognize the Kansas City tune?")  Here's an example of the location.

Stay again at Watkins Mill State Park, Independence, MO (camp @ Watkins Mill State Park, Lawson, MO)  Camping fees: $21

VDR Trip: Day 3, Beaver, AR - Lawson, MO

Beaver, AR – Mansfield, MO – Lawson, MO

379 miles, 7 hrs, 25 min
Appx fuel costs: $66.33
Adm. Fees: $98
Camping Fees:  $21


Heading out early with a light brekkie in the tummy.  Destination:  Mansfield, MO

It has long been a desire of mine to visit the adult home of Laura Ingalls Wilder, author of the Little House on the Prairie series for those of you who don't know about her.  This is a photo of her family. 

So....

First stop:  Laura Ingalls Wilder Home and Museum, Mansfield, MO.  Have some $$ on hand because a little admission fee is charged here.  $8 per adult and $4 per child.

Stop #2:  Since we've had a light breakfast, let's stop at Lambert's and enjoy some lunch before turning the horses northwards.

                                                   

#3 on the agenda:  Gotta pick up some silver ware for future lunches.   This little box you see here? This indicates that a geocache is at or near this location. One box means there's one geocache. So, when you start seeing more of them, well, now you know what it means.

Finish off the fun stuff with a Fantastic Cavern tour.  Admission fees for this one are kinda steep.  Adults are $22.50 and Children are $14.50.
 

And finally, heading on to the wonderful looking campsites at Watkins Mill State Park where camping fees are only $21 a night!  The park is adjacent to the the Watkins Woolen Mill State Historic Site where we'll probably spend some time before heading out for sightseeing.  The following 4 boxes means there's 4 geocaches here at this state park and if I have a couple hours of free time, I'll be hiking around to find them.

Well, that's it for day three.  Time to get tucked into the pop up and get some sleep.  I've got lots of linky loos and geocache locations to hunt for tomorrow!

VDR Trip: Day 2, Beaver & Eureka Springs, AR

Day 2:

Beaver, AR – Eureka Springs, AR

16 miles

Appx fuel costs:  $

Adm. Fees:  $26 x 3 + $20 = $98

Well, now we're in Beaver, AR for our first full day of sightseeing and relaxing. Plans for today (Day 2) include typical Eureka Springs stuff. Since ES is only about 10 miles south of Beaver, we've got aaaalll day!!

In addition to visiting with the Mayor of Beaver, AR here are some other things we'll see and do.

#1: Gotta see the World's Largest Tuned Windchime!  Located at Celestial Windz Harmonic Bizaar. The owner here charges $5 to ring this windchime but if you're lucky he might be taking a nap somewhere and you'll get to experience it for free!!  There are about 10 geocaches within 1 mile of this location including a couple of  "Earthcache"s.  What's an Earthcache you say?  Well, click HERE to find out.

#2 - Thorncrown Chapel also called the Glass Chapel, is situated outside of the edge of town.  There is no admission fee but donations are accepted.

#3 - The Great Passion Play is something that I enjoy going to see everytime I'm in the Eureka Springs area.  Admission fees are $26 for adults and $13 for children.  For more ticket information, check this out.

#4 - Christ of the Ozarks - Located on Passion Play Drive.  Free Adm.

#5 - Slab of the Berlin Wall - Can't seem to find any admission information.  If you know something I don't, please hollah!!!

Well, that's it for Day 2.  The rest of the time will be spent fishing on Beaver Lake and resting up before leaving here bright and early in the morning.  I have some stops I wanna make before hitting Independence, MO!!!

The Virtual Dream Road Trip: Day 1

Livingston, LA - Beaver, AR
559 miles, 10 hrs, 31 min (give or take)
Approx. fuel cost:  $101.50

If you're just now joining me, then let me enlighten you as to what's going on here.  For three years, I've been dreaming of a road trip approximately 6000 miles Round Trip.  My ultimate destination is Banff National Park in Banff located just outside of Calgary, AB Canada.  From Louisiana, it's quite the drive. 

I made a little post the other day on Facebook and was inspired to start this "Virtual" Road Trip, exploring state parks, quirky roadside attractions, and geocaches along the way via the Informational Highway (a.k.a. the Internet). 

So, jump in and join me as we cross the countryside and see amazing wonders!!!

First off, on the ACTUAL trip, I plan to be hauling a pop up camper behind a Chevy Surburban SUV.  So, I guess I'll be doing things like keeping up with the mileage and current fuel costs.  I'll also need to look at "feeding" a family of 4 (or 5 depending on if the Teen goes with us).  So, I'll be looking at meal plans.

Load up!  We're headin' out!

Our first destination will be Beaver, Arkansas.  Beaver is a 10 hour drive from our starting point.  I initially didn't want to start out driving that far on our daily travels but in this case, I think it'll be okay.  We will plan to stay in Beaver for a couple of days while we visit with the Mayor (Who I know PERSONALLY!!!) of this cute little town.

During our drive, we will stop for breaks at some roadside attractions.  Here'a  list with a pic or two so you'll get the idea.  Also, when available, we'll be looking for geocaches at some of these location.  In case you aren't familier with geocaching, you can read all about it right here at this little linky loo.

Our first break will be in Redfield, AR: Mammoth Orange Drink Stand where we can get a refreshment.
There's a Geocache located within 150 feet of this spot!!

Little Rock: Billy Bass Adoption Center located inside the Flying Fish Restaurant in Little Rock, AR

Little Rock:  Old Mill park with Concrete Wood

Now doesn't THIS LOOK like a Lovely spot to stop for a picnic lunch!  I'm so glad that I found this one, that means we can really pass up the previous two in order to truly enjoy this little piece of heaven!  Oh, and there's also a geocache located only 180 feet from here!

Little Rock:  Roundtop Gas Station

Clinton, AR: Natural Bridge of Arkansas Now this looks like it would be a great place for a geocache, but I couldn't find one listed.  Hmm.  Oh well, this is only Day 1 of our trip.  We'll find MANY others!!

And finally our destination, Beaver, AR where we'll park the camper either at Beaver Lake Campgrounds, or in the yard of the lovely Mayor of Beaver, AR.  Whom I know PERSONALLY as I mentioned before!!! I'm guessing that she'll have been working all day on a scrumptious dinner for us so I have no need to worry about feeding the kids.  It'll be nice to sit and visit for a day or so.  Tomorrow, we'll venture into Eureka Springs and do some touristy stuff before heading on.

2010 New Orleans, Friday

We got up early this morning to take full advantage of all New Orleans has to offer. Since we were on a budget, big ticket entertainment was not on the plan for us. We chose instead to do some educational activities.

As a musician, but not a huge jazz fan, I had decided that it was my musical duty to explore the Jazz History of this fantastic city. So, I started with the New Orleans Jazz National Historical park website where you can go to download an audio walking tour of historic New Orleans Jazz sites. I got the tour downloaded to my mp3 player and printed out the tour map.

After a quick breakfast at Krystal burgers, we were off. We actually started out on Bourbon Street and found Edison Place a.k.a. Musician's Park where there is a little cafe that also serves breakfast. Wish I'd known that before we at at Krystal burgers!!! I quickly got my photo with Fats Domino, Al Hirt, and Pete Fountain before venturing off towards Louis Armstrong Park to begin the audio tour.

Can you imagine my disappointment when we arrived after walking 10 miles to find the park closed!?!?! It was 110 degrees out there at 9 a.m. and I was already dying from the heat and lack of thirst! No, just kidding, it wasn't 10 miles or 110 degrees....But I was very disapointed that I couldn't enter the park to see the Louis Armstrong and Sidney Bechet statues and learn all about Congo Square.

Instead, I took this lovely photo of the gates of Armstrong Park. Hopefully, it will be open again soon so that I can visit.

Next up on the tour is the Basin Street Station a.k.a. Basin Street Visitor's center.

On the corner of N. Rampart and Dumaine streets is this building, built around 1835, with the galleries most likely added in the 1850's. In 1944, J&M Amusements acquired the building and Cosmio Matassa soon opened the J&M Recording Studio.

Oscar "Papa" Celestin, Danny Barker, and the Dukes of Dixieland all recorded Jazz here. The "New Orleans Sound" developed from pioneering rhythm and blues and rock and roll recordings made here between 1947 and 1956 by Paul Gaytin, Annie Laurie, Roy Brown, Dave Bartholomew, Fats Domino, Professor Longhair, Smiley Lewis, Joe Turner, Guitar Slim, Shirley & Lee, Lloyd Price, Jerry Lee Lewis, Ray Charles, Little Richard, and others. Sadly, this building is now a laundromat.

We wandered around some more and found Preservation Hall. I was looking forward to sitting and resting in the shade a bit but, unfortunately, Preservation Hall's operating hours are only in the evenings. Preservation Hall was founded in 1961 to protect and honor New Orleans Jazz. It is also a great spot to take the kiddos and introduce them to the great Jazz music. Admission is only $12!!

We rested in the shade a little before heading out to our next stop at 1026 Conti street. This building was the site of the last operating house of prostitution in the once thriving Tango Belt. Once an area of respectable theatres and cabarets, it quickly supported the milder side of the "sporting life:" prize-fighting, proto-jazz music, alcohol, and dance halls. When Storyville's future became uncertain, sub-rosa drugs and prostitution completed the picture here.

Our next stop was 401 S. Rampart Street, where we learned a little about Black Storyville/Chinatown where this building housed Jake Itzkovich's Eagle Loan Office until about 1907. When he relocated, Frank Douroux opened his 2nd tavern on the block in 1908 and named themselves after the saloon - the Eagle Band, which was Buddy Bolden's band...sans Bolden who at that time was institutionalized in the state insane asylum. The third floor was the ballroom for the combined Odd Fellows/Masonic Lodge which had this lodge in an adjacent building at 1116 Perdido Street. Buddy Bolden's, John Robichaux's, and Buck Johnson's groups played for dances in the ballroom. Looks sad doesn't it?

After all that walking around and education, we stopped for a mid day nap in the air conditioned hotel room and then went down to Felix's for lunch. Dahlin' chose one of his favorite meals, a dozen oysters on the half-shell. They arrived and he doctored them up for his consumption.

Here he is doin' the doctorin'.

After the doctorin'.

I played it safe with this scrumptious looking grilled shrimp sandwich. It was the best tasting thing I've ever eaten!

We wandered around some more and while waiting for the Canal Street trolley, I took this pic of some stray Mardi Gras beads just hanging around for next year's party.

We did a lot more but since it's currently 2 a.m. here at home, I think I'll stop posting and opt to edit this later.

2010 New Orleans - Thurs aftn

About a month ago, I had planned a little getaway jaunt to the Big Easy to celebrate Father's Day with my Dahlin'. I didn't want to bother him with having to drive down and find parking for the weekend, so I got Amtrak tickets and rode the choo choo train. It was my first ride on an official train!!! I got to update the baby book that my mom started for me way back in the '60's!

While we waited for the chariot to arrive, I stood outside of the depot and took a pic of this little mama who was busily trying to distract us from her nesting area.

Inside the depot.

This is REALLY cool!!! It looks just like a painting doesn't it? But noooooo! It's a for real scene that we passed by while riding the train!



We arrived in New Orleans about an hour and a half later and got situated in our room up on the 39th floor of the Marriott at 555 Canal Street. Here's the view from our room with the French Quarter to the right of Canal Street.

Here's our lovely hotel room. The bed was extra comfy!!!

After we got settled in, there were still a few hours left before it got too dark to see anything. So we tried to get a little sight seeing in. We walked around a bit and ended up down at the River Front. We happened to stumble up on a movie being shot!!! "The Chaperone" (starring some WWE wrestler named Triple H?). This fellow in the shot is one of the actors but I don't know which one, shooting a scene on the River Front.

After observing the film arts in action, we ended up at Landry's Seafood for dinner. When I first walked in, wearing my shorts, tennis shoes, and Tshirt, I felt a little intimidated thinking that perhaps I needed to be a little more dressed up. But, I digress, we placed our order and received the wonderful Shrimp Enbrechette for our appetizer.

Dahlin' order his safety fave, the fried seafood platter. I swahnee, he needs to be a little more ambitious in his cuisine adventures.
I ordered the very delicious Blackened Catfish Atachafalaya with Dirty Rice and fresh green beans. Yum Yum YUM! Can I just say it?
After dinner, we strolled around some more and encountered a few of the Jackson Square characters. Here's one all dolled up in his metallic outfit complete with metallic looking teeth (or grill as they call them now?).

We finally ended up back in the hotel room, ready to pass out from exhaustion, when I happened to look out the window to view the Canal Street and French Quarter at night. What a beautiful end to the beginning of a great weekend!!!

Be sure to read the rest of the 2010 New Orleans posts for more!!!