Kansas City

The arena was once again downtown which is really nice, right next to the Power and Light District. Not just because there are places to eat and the occasional shop but just because you can go out and explore and see a bit of the place. Kansas City was quite nice to explore there where some interesting buildings and it was quite pretty.





There where a lot of good food places near by but I managed to resist the temptation to go to the likes of Dave's BBQ. Everyone raved about it and it did look pretty good but a weeks worth of food in one sitting would have been just too much temptation. Another place I had heard good things about was Chef Burger. Me and Willow went there one afternoon and got kids meals. I really liked it as they serve real burgers and you can get so many different topping. It really wasn't anything like MacDonald’s or Burger King. The staff where really nice and friendly too, they took a great deal of interest in my Circus of Horrors top.

Often there are food places near the arena but this week there was also a supermarket, which is quite rare. It was a nice one too making it even rarer.

I wish City Market had been closer. It was close enough to walk but not to pop to every day. I really liked it there even though the day we went most things had started to close. There was a steamboat museum, craft stores, antique shops, farmers market, organic food and so much more.



The main thing that everyone seemed to be getting excited about coming here where the haunted houses. There where four really close to the train, The Beast, Edge of Hell, Macabre Cinema and The Chambers of Poe. We don't really do haunted houses like this in the UK so maybe I should have gone but I didn't really want to and I'm not sure 'because I think I should' is really a good enough reason as they were quite expensive. There is so much more I would rather spend my money on. The stories from other people sound fun but not enough to make me wish I had gone.



The area beside the train and where the haunted houses where was a really interesting part of town with loads of old warehouses, ideal for haunted houses.



There was a posh Cinema here, with a bar, dinner menu and waitress service to your seat but at $25 a ticket before even your popcorn, I'd just rather pay a bit less and use my legs.



Reading back on this it sounds like we didn't do that much here but I liked Kansas City and had a nice time here. You really don't need to be doing and spending to enjoy a place. Maybe the cooler weather had a big impact as we could actually get out and explore the place we were living for a week.

Moline IL – Quad Cities

Moline seemed to be one of those places people had a mixed view on, some people loved it and some people hated it. I thought it was OK though there wasn't that much here.

Once again you were able to walk, though it wasn't close like last week so we only walked a few times. The river walk, along the Mississippi was really nice and we had the perfect weather for it too. I wandered along the river walk a few times as the arena was right next to it.



Also next to the arena was the John Deer Pavilion. It was quite interesting and Willow enjoyed it a lot more than I thought she would.



One of my favourite places downtown was Lagomarcino's a 1930's style diner that specialised in home made chocolates and great ice creams and shakes. The pineapple shake was my favourite. They had a nice little Ringling display in the window to welcome us as well.

On the other side of the river was a small Island called Sylvan Island, it was really nice for a wander about. I'm so pleased the weather has got a bit colder so we can actually get about.





Augustana College was right next to the train and the college grounds were really nice and pretty.

We went conker collecting and taught a few people how to play as it isn't a game played here. This was Willows favourite thing here.



The college also had a Museum of Genealogy that was open to the public free of charge. It wasn't very big but had a really nice collection of fossils and rocks. Even some that glowed in the dark. The staff were really nice, friendly and helpful. They gave Willow a fossil to take as a souvenir.



Next to the college was Lincoln Park which had a play park for Willow. It also had black Squirrels which I had never seen before.

Lexington Kentucky

Finally a decent length train run, actually one of the longest we have ever done. Three days on the train unable to get off. Now usually I would be really looking forward to this, but this one I was a little worried about. Tweedy and Alex had to fly as they had PR's before the train was due to arrive. So this one would be just me and Willow, 3 days seeing no one else but each other and unable to go anywhere. I shouldn't have worried though as we had a really good time with no squabbles or fights at all which is pretty impressive as I'm sure most people would go stir crazy after that time. There was another reason to be slightly worried and that was we were at the back of the train which is always bumpier and 3 days of that can be a bit much. Luckily this journey was one of the smoothest we have had for ages, even at the back. Well apart from the switching, but that is rarely smooth free.

We were promised cooler weather and it was, but not as cool as they said. It hit the 90 mark but that is so much nicer than in the 100's. Even though it was still hot it was bearable and you could go out and explore so it was a shame we were only here for 4 days.

Tweedy was booked into the Hilton the first day we arrived so made use of the pool there, which Willow loved.

We discovered Mellow Mushroom here, which is a small pizza restaurant chain but has a very independent feel to it. Not only do they do great food but I loved the feel of the place and the décor and music. I even tuned into Mellow Mushroom radio from my computer when I got home.




I also found a British fish and chip shop, well as British as you can find in the US. I think it was called MacGregor’s but can't really remember. So often you find on a menu 'British fish and chips' but they are no where near. This time though they weren't bad. Not far off at all, really enjoyable and good value.

Walking around town we kept seeing horse statues. These were all part of Horses Mania 2010 which is a public art project. There are 82 life size horses which have been decorated by artists and 50 foals and 7 horse decorated by schools. The horses will be auctioned off in December for local charities.





There were horses everywhere in this town, not just the horse mania. Though this may have something to do with Lexington being the horse capital of the world.

The school went on a field trip to Mary Todd Lincoln's house which was right next door to the arena. I think they liked it and it certainly broke up a long school day for them.



I liked Lexington especially being able to walk everywhere including the arena. It is a shame it isn't like that more often. The arena was also joined to a small mall. Not really a shopping mall though but it did have a food court which was handy and also free wifi which was very handy.

www.mellowmushroom.com
www.mtlhouse.org

Austin Texas

Yet another short train run, so short I went to bed not moving and woke up not moving somewhere else. Feel a bit cheated on the whole train run thing at the moment. Though I'm sure the 3 day one that is next week should make up for it.

I felt quite at home in Austin and then found out its slogan was 'Keep Austin Weird', and even though it is what some would call alternative I feel it looses something when you are trying to hard. Though I suppose I did quite like the weirdness. The main 'weirdness' for want of a better word was 6th Street. Though as usual it was mainly bars and restaurants with the odd tattoo place thrown in for good measure and a few gift shops.





There was also Museum of the Weird that was pretty small but also pretty cheap so worth the admission price. There were too many mummies in there for Willows liking though.



Very close to the Arena was the State Capitol. I didn't manage to go in but did have a nice wander around the gardens.




The Texas Capitol Visitors Center was quite nice and in the grounds of the capitol. There is a little museum and a few interactive exhibits and it is free.



St Mary's Cathedral was not far from here which was a nice Gothic looking building.



One of the things I was really looking forward to here were the Congress Avenue Bats. It is one of the largest urban bat colony in North America. We headed down early prepared for a wait, Willow even dressed in her bat outfit. We waited and we waited and a few bats came out then quite a few and they fluttered out here and there and yes there were a lot of bats. More than I have ever seen in my life but all the same I was disappointed there wasn't a whoosh of bats as there are on some nights. Apparently we can blame the fact they have young with them at the moment.

For a while I have wanted a bat tattoo and thought because of the bat bridge this would be a good place to get it done. I even found a great place to get it done, True Blue Tattoo shop. But alas it is one of the things now on the 'I wish I had done that' list.



Between the arena and 6th Street there were a couple of parks you could wander through, rather than take the street. They were quite nice and we found a turtle that decided to follow us.

A few people from the show including Tweedy but not me, went to Esters Follies. A comedy magic troupe who are apparently really good. Definitely worth a visit if you are in Austin any time.

There were quite a lot of things I wanted to do here but didn't. Once again the heat was a killer and made doing anything out side pretty much impossible. One of things I didn't do that I wanted to while here was Guinness flavoured ice cream from Amy's ice cream shop.