It was like something out of another era -- very basic. The server asked me, "What can I get for ya, baby?" and by the time I left had called me baby, sweetheart, and hon -- the trifecta. I had fried chicken and mashed potatoes. I was happy.
On the way there, we passed what appeared to be a huge castle. Yes, a castle. I thought it must be a resort of some kind. On the way back, we found it again, pulled off to the side, and Allan took pictures. It is actually two huge castles, connected to each other. Outside, there's a dragon and a Pegasus. Spider-Man looks out from a turret. But there was no business sign, and it appeared to be a private residence. We tried to drive around it, but sure enough: a gate.
When we got back, I looked it up. A family remodeled their home into a castle. Everyone on the thread I found loved it and thought it was beautiful. Not one person was ragging on them or declaring it ugly and wasteful. Hmm.
Eating like an American
We were up really early this morning, went out for breakfast, then hit the road for Kansas City.
We went to a breakfast chain that might be featured in some story about how badly Americans eat, how outsized the portions are, how much fat and salt is in everything. It's called The Big Biscuit -- and let me tell you, the food was delicious.
When we walked in, the server gave me a flower -- a long-stemmed carnation -- and I suddenly remembered it was Mothers' Day.
I decided to eat something typically Southern that I've never had: chicken and biscuits. It's a piece of fried chicken fillet on a big, buttery biscuit, with a touch of chicken gravy. It comes with cheese, too, but I asked for no cheese.
Even your choice of side -- potatoes or grits -- can come plain or "loaded". Loaded means more cheese, plus sour cream and bacon. (I did not go for the loaded.)
It's completely ridiculous. I'm sure I had enough salt for the entire week in that one meal. And you know what? I don't really care. Two weeks out of my life eating too much meat and fried food will not make a difference in my overall health. It won't be long til I'm eating salad, yogurt, and dried fruit.
I ate half, and was happy to have the other half on the drive back to Kansas City.
Red Sox vs Royals
I've always wanted to go to Kauffman Stadium. It's of the same generation as Dodger Stadium, which I love. Plus I had this "see a game in KC and eat at Stroud's" plan. I was excited to fulfill the other half of that little dream.
We got there plenty early, and it's a good thing, because security wouldn't let us in with my tote bag and our camera bag. You can only bring in clear plastic bags, with clear plastic bags inside them. Which explained all the clear plastic totes I was seeing, and why most people were just holding their phones in their hands.
We had to go back to the car, baking in the very hot parking lot, and regroup. Allan was annoyed because the rules seemed to be applied inconsistently. I think parents with diaper bags get waved in. Allan wondered if we could borrow someone's baby and say it was our grandchild. I was able to bring in my small pouch with my phone, and we took the camera out of the bag. We did not borrow anyone's baby, so I am not writing this from jail.
Kauffman Stadium is indeed a beautiful park -- very open and airy, small, unassuming, with that kitschy "crown" scoreboard and the iconic fountains. Their scoreboard is great (the one in St. Louis was awful) and the fans seem happy and knowledgeable. Allan got us great seats for both games, right behind first base. A vendor came around with vodka lemonade, my favourite. The Red Sox, a new baseball park, great seats, a cold drink, and Allan. Happiness.
I assume that our sitting through the national anthem and God Bless America, as we have always done, drew huge disapproval, but Midwesterners are too polite to say anything. There were tons of Red Sox fans there! More than a smattering, a really decent showing. My man Rafael Devers hit a 2-run homer to put the Sox up 3-1. Despite the best efforts of Sox closer Aroldis Chapman, the Sox held on for the win. We had a great time.
It was about 27 C / 80 F, bright blue, cloudless, and we had no shade, but plenty of sunscreen. We also now bring seat cushions. We got these cushions with handles -- ordered them from Canadian Tire on our way to a minor-league game last year -- and they are fantastic. A ballgame without back pain, what a concept. Yeah, I'm old, and I'm owning it.
The Lefties
I was wearing a t-shirt from The Lefties, the minor-league team we saw play in Port Angeles, in Washington State. I was wearing it just because it's loose-fitting and comfortable, and baseball.
A man came trotting up to us, calling, "Excuse me, excuse me, ma'am?" I stopped, and he said, "Can I ask you, what are The Lefties?" I told him, it's a minor league baseball team in Washington State. He said, "It's a real team?" I said, yes, it sure is. He said, "That is awesome, wow, how cool!" (I thanked him for not attacking me because of the name, but he didn't seem to understand what I meant.)
Then he looked at the shirt more and said, "Is that a beaver?" I said, yes, I think so, and he said that made a lot of sense, from Washington State.
He also asked, what level baseball. I had to think for a moment, but came up with, "It's an independent team, right?" -- checking with Allan -- and then said, "Yes, independent, part of the Pacific Coast League." (Turns out it's West Coast League.) The guy said, "Oh wow, that's even better, serious baseball fans, then!" He wished us a great game and a happy Mothers' Day and seemed truly pleased.
Barbecue's last stand
After the game, we made our way back to the same Airbnb, which is suddenly a lot more spacious, since we only brought in what we need for one night, and left everything else in the car. We were both drenched with sweat, and a shower and clean clothes felt heavenly. Then we went out for one last night of barbecue. Our first choice, Joe's Kansas City BBQ, is closed Sundays, so we went with Slaps.
When we got there, a long line of people was snaking through the place and out the door. (You can drink beer while you wait. We did not.) You order at a counter, where one guy has a big cleaver and prepares your choice of meat, and another one ladles your sides. Then you bring your tray to a picnic table. You pick up styrofoam plates and plastic utensils! The least green place I have ever eaten it -- and it's especially disturbing, since no one recycles here. Cans and bottles only. In Tulsa, not even that! Everything just chucked!
Anyway, aside from the shocking waste, the place is great. Super low-key and plain, the very definition of unpretentious, everyone eating at picnic tables, and just chowing down on great food. The ribs were different than others we've had, and completely delicious. The beans were drenched in molasses, absolute heaven. We ordered about twice as much as we should have. It easily could have fed four people, and it was only $43.
Now we're two sleeps away from puppies!
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