Simpler Living

One of the things that I have really enjoyed about this trip has been learning about what its like to live somewhere other than the greater LA area. I have spent my life in southern California, and though I love it, I have learned that there are drawbacks. For example, when driving 15 miles from our friends' house in Shawnee, KS to downtown Kansas City, MO it took...wait for it...15 minutes! We left at 6:00 and got there at 6:15. No way we could do that back home.

Traffic is just one example. Another thing I loved was spending the 4th in a small town. We stayed at our friends (Emily and Brian) Victorian house. The town, as well as the house, had history and a great little downtown area made up of shops and bars and restaurants. There were no carbon-copy franchises or mega-shopping centers in the downtown. Just places with history and character owned by local people. I thought it was great when we entered a little knick-knack shop and Emily hugged the owner and asked how their granddaughter is. It's just something you don't get in a larger city. To celebrate we went to Brian's childhood friend's home which overlooked a small lake. Their neighbors made put together a little 24 minute firework display over the lake complete with a c.d. of patriotic songs handed out to each house to play with the show. We drank wine, enjoyed company, and watched the homemade firework display. It was great.
I also enjoyed seeing all of the farms along the way. I realized that there are people who actually live in these places. Families who work their places day by day. We got the opportunity to go to a working farm in Kansas City area. It is called the Deanna Rose Farmstead and allow kids to come experience what life is like on the farm. They teach how to milk cows, raise chickens and goats, experience what native americans did, and even ride horses. The boys had a blast!
Another aspect of small town living that I liked was the loyalty to sports teams. Yes, a bit shallow, I know. But when we stayed in Des Moines, there was Iowa Cubs stuff everywhere. We went to a game. Now, mind you, it is a AAA team. The place was sold out and we had to get there early just to get a close enough parking spot. Also, in Indianapolis, every store, and I mean EVERY store, has Colts stuff in it. Signs, cups, shirts, jerseys, hats, and even barbecues.
Anyway, we are having a great time and are looking forward to our friends, the Vandegrifts, to get here and hang out for a few days.