Category Archives: Destinations

Destinations, Uncategorized

My Night Out Walking In Kansas City

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Out Walking Off Tacos

So after the excellent tacos I had to go out walking around the city to explore. I’ve been here once before but that was last year and the end of summer. I was also nursing a severe leg wound from dumpster diving (I may write about that at some point) which cut my day short.

Directly across the street from the Power and Light District where the restaurants were was some amazing architecture. I love photographing buildings and murals. I definitely don’t consider myself a photographer by any means but I find the experience fun. So here goes!

The Power and Light District out walking in KC, MO
Architecture spotted out walking
The Power and Light District square
Building I saw out walking in downtown KC, MO.
A building in downtown KC, MO.
The front of a building I saw while out walking
One KC heart down by the river. Out walking

The Parade of Hearts

I started to see these hearts around town. After a little Googling, I discovered they are part of an art installation from March until May. Over 100 artists contributed and you learn more about them at The Parade of Hearts website. There you can see all of the hearts and a map of where to locate them.

This heart above is called Fil-Am and by artist Jessica Endaya Keefer. It is a graphic representation of the Filipino-American culture. More about this particular heart can be found here.

A KC Heart in downtown I saw while out walking

This blue and yellow lemon heart is called What Do You Do When You Don’t Have Lemons by Ivey Zoellers and you can find her story here.

This lemon heart represents overcoming hardships with hope.

Heart in front of library. Out walking

This heart is called Community Bookshelf. It’s in front of the library and is by Dimensional Innovations and Whiskey Design.

You can learn more about this one here.

The front of the library, out walking
The library entrance, out walking
The library, out walking downtown KC

A Very Unique Library

This is the library. The exterior is fascinating. Yes those are book spines of famous literary works.

Down toward the river is a walk. I’ve noticed this in other parts of the country wherever there is a fence type structure, there are locks.

Caged cover over walkway near the river, out walking.
walkway down by the river

Out Walking The Riverfront

A couple more photos from my walk. So there you have it. The city is so beautiful. I also visited the World War monument last summer. There’s a post coming about that soon also!

Well that’s it for this trip. If you have photos or comments of KC I would love to see and hear them! Thanks for reading.

City reflection on building
alleyway
Destinations, Uncategorized

I Eat Tacos at Guy Fieri’s Dive in Kansas City

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Out and About

My last night in Kansas City, MO and I wanted to eat tacos. So before heading home from this last trip, I spent it out and about in KC. Last stop over I stumbled upon Guy Fieris Dive and Taco Joint in The Power and Light District downtown. I tried to go then but they were closed during the afternoon I visited so I opted for another restaurant across the street. It was good but it wasn’t Guy Fieri’s. If you didn’t already know, I am a huge fan of Triple D and Triple G!

The street entrance to Guy Fieri’s Taco Dive in Kansas City Missouri

This time I got to go and eat tacos! I can’t begin to tell you how excited I was to visit Guy’s Taco Joint and yes, it was everything I hoped it would be. The atmosphere inside was just like stepping into a dive off of Triple D. Or maybe I imagined it but either way it was a great time.

I sat near an open air window. They have these garage door type windows that roll open on nice days. The weather had been nice that day and the air was a little chilly but nothing too terribly cold.

The stairs leading up to Guy Fieri’s Taco Dive in Kansas City, Missouri from the street entrance
The sign for Guy Fieri’s Taco Dive in Kansas City Missouri
Back entrance to Guy Fieri’s Taco Dive in Kansas City Missouri. Restaurant sign
I can’t believe I’m actually here!!

Navigating The Menu

I located the menu online before going and found it large enough but not overwhelming. The taco menu was still hard to decide upon. Each order was for 4 tacos. I could order the same 4 tacos or split the order and have 2 different ones. I opted for the latter and had 2 el Pastor and 2 grilled shrimp. My friend also split his order and had 2 grilled shrimp and 2 carne asada. We also tried the carne asada fries.

Guy Fieri’s Dive & Taco Joint in Kansas City Missouri menu. Eat tacos!
Guy Fieri’s Dive & Taco Joint in Kansas City Missouri menu

I typically don’t eat beef. After driving past the cattle ranch in Stockton, I gave it up. It broke my heart but on occasion I will indulge and this was definitely a special occasion.

I eat these tacos at Guy Fieri's
Carne asada fries
I eat these tacos at Guy Fieri's
I think the pictures tell it all. The food was amazing. Everything was so flavorful just as you would expect from the name. I will absolutely go again next time I have the chance.

A Glimpse Inside

Here are a few shots of inside the joint. The decor is a mix and very eclectic. Lots to look at. The women’s bathroom had magazine covers on the stall walls and doors which was interesting. I highly recommend if you ever have the time and are in Kansas City, MO to go check this place out.

The wall at Guy Fieri's above the table where I eat tacos.
Inside decor at Guy Fieri’s Taco Joint in Kansas City, Missouri
The women's bathroom inside Guy Fieri's where I eat tacos!



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Destinations, Uncategorized

A Day Riding Wolf Creek Ski Area

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My (in)Experience Riding

Before I get I get into telling you about my day riding, let me talk about my experience so far with snowboarding. It has been smaller places like Perfect North Slopes and Paoli Peaks in the beginning. Afterward, I advanced to Snowshoe Mountain, WV and thought I was doing well. This was in the early 2000’s.

Turns out I have osteoporosis. I found this out after I broke my wrist in 2005, and then my foot in 2013. Yes, both breaks were while snowboarding. I thought my days on the slopes were over, that was until I talked with some friends out in California over the summer. They invited me out to go snowboarding, so I went. Unfortunately the weather had other plans and most of the snow on Mt. Shasta had melted by the time I got there. The warm weather over the next week did not help either.

Then came an invite to Mt. Hood in Oregon. This was bucket list. This I did. Happily. Being on a mountain again was good for my soul. It reenergized me and cleared my head. I rode Timberline Lodge and dare I say only after 4 runs, I felt great! You can find Timberline’s trail map HERE if you are interested in looking. I’ll tell you all about that experience later.

A day riding at Timberline Lodge in Mt. Hood, Oregon
Getting ready for my first run down the trail at Timberline Lodge!

After I arrived back in Kentucky, my dear friend in Kansas City saw my social media pictures and asked to go to Colorado for the end of the snow season. I immediately screamed YES!! Of course I will go!! Getting a taste of the mountains again was something I had longed for.

Map of Wolf Creek Ski Area
Wolf Creek Ski Area Trail Map

Prepping For The Day Out

Not really knowing what to expect I was a bit intimidated. I forged on with the trip. Remember I haven’t REALLY rode for about 9 years. Wolf Creek Ski Area did not disappoint. We started out slow on Friday with about 5 runs to get acclimated to the altitude. Acclimating is something I’ve not had to do before although believe me when I say I felt it. All of it.

Walking onto the ski area at Wolf Creek in Colorado
Parking lot and lodge at Wolf Creek in Colorado
A day riding, the bottom of a trail at Wolf Creek ski area Colorado
A day riding at Wolf Creek Ski Area

The Second Day Riding

The next day it was ON! We rode a total of 15 runs for the day. The longest run we took that day being a little over 1.6 miles. On The Snow.com will tell you lots more about this area. Wolf Creek is in southwest Colorado between Pagosa Springs and South Fork. Wolf Creek is also called a “small” area although it is large enough to stay occupied all day and never really hit the same slopes more than a couple of times if exploring is your thing. Which for me it is, until I find a run I really want to conquer. With speed. The trails higher up were not sloppy at all. Also being the end of the season weekend, this meant the trails weren’t crowded.

photo from a day riding at wolf creek ski area
a day riding at wolf creek ski area
a day riding at wolf creek ski area
the view from on top the mountain riding wolf creek ski area
a day riding wolf creek ski area
another view from the trail at wolf creek ski area
Sorry so grainy but you get the point!! L)

Takeaways From A Day Riding

All things considered, this was a spectacular day. The sun was shining (which also led to a sunburnt face…always wear your sunscreen people!!) the wind was howling through the tree line towards the ridges of the mountains. I was able to get through the day with just a hoodie I picked up in the shop and a medium pair of snow pants. If you want to know more details of what I wore and the trails I rode, just ask! Thanks for reading!

wolf creek ski area
wolf creek ski area
wolf creek ski area
riding the lift at wolf creek ski area
on the lift at wolf creek ski area
wolf creek ski area
a day riding at wolf creek ski area
wolf creek ski area
me with my face sunburnt
sunburnt face after riding
me riding with stats from Garmin
A view from the Treasure Stoke Lift
Destinations, Uncategorized

Train Ride From Durango

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About The Train and The Ride

When my good friend says “hey, I want to ride this train up in Durango so I booked us some seats” you say yes! I had no idea what it was or what I was getting into. Easter Sunday came and off we drove from Pagosa Springs to Durango.

Now let me tell you a little bit of what I learned about this train ride. Apparently it’s famous, and it’s one of the most scenic tours. This train, railroad, and the station are all national historic landmarks. A quick history search which can be found Here says the town of Durango was established by the Denver & Rio Grande Railway which arrived in Durango in the late summer of 1881. The train was used to haul passengers and freight. To visit the main page go to DurangoTrain.com

The main engines are coal fired steam and all of the rail cars are restored antiques, each with their own stories.

the steam engine
the durango train ride steam engine stopped at the cascade canyon wye
closeup of the steam engine
the alamosa car
inside the alamosa car, during my train ride
inside the car during my train ride
photo inside the car during my train ride
the durango train as it goes around bend
train parked at cascade canyon wye. train ride

The page goes on to tell how it came to be what it is now. I also learned there is more than one train used for these excursions. There is also a museum and restoration/maintenance facility for the cars right on sight. Rail services include multiple types of rides with different destinations depending on your interests. Prices are reasonable. Seats are available in economy and first class. We took first class on the Alamosa car and it was truly a memorable ride.

where our train ride stopped and turned around.
Our trip went to the Cascade Canyon Wye and back, about half way to Silverton.

Train Ride Half Way Point

At the Cascade Wye we stopped for lunch. There was a scenic little picnic area to relax. This was also the place to take photos of the train, and go exploring for a bit. We found an old bridge.

bridge at cascade canyon wye
bridge at cascade canyon wye
bridge at cascade canyon wye. train ride
bridge at cascade canyon wye, train ride
cascade wye sign
river under bridge at cascade canyon wye, train ride

The views from the bridge were breathtaking. The whole trip was actually. The train tracks hug the canyon wall with a sheer drop off to one side of the train. This allowed spectacular views and lots of photo opportunities.

train tracks back into durango on train ride
river next to train ride
cascade wye
river from train ride
river photo from train ride
river at cascade wye
train tracks
train tracks
canyon on train ride

The Way Back To The Station

On the way back to the station, I tagged along with another couple that wanted to walk the inside of the train cars. I’m so glad I did. We made it all the way up to the first car. Here are some photos I took along the way.

metal roof inside rail car
This was the roof of one of the cars. This was definitely a vibe.
glass roof inside rail car
This is the roof of the sky car that is used in the night rides.
old lantern inside rail car
This was in the first car. I took a photo because I thought it was cool.
Surprisingly the cars moved around more on the tracks
up towards the engine.

Here are some shots from around Durango and the station. I stayed and had lunch at a little taco place that was a whole other story. I would definitely take another ride and I hope to do this again someday.

Thanks for reading!

statue in durango
building mural in durango
trains and tracks in durango