KANSAS CITY

Well, we're a little further south, but it's not a whole lot warmer. We're doing some research while we're here, at the genealogy library. We had a couple problems on the way down from Omaha. We had to put air in one of the jeep tires three times-I'm sure glad Don knows how to get the air from the RV. That works pretty slick. We took the tire to have it fixed at Sam's Club, and they did it for free. Don can't believe it yet. We had another problem-the RV transmission light kept coming on, and when you started it, it went immediately into 4th gear, and remained there. We have an appointment on Monday to see what's going on. Hopefully it can be fixed rapidly, I'm ready to go to Branson, where it's warmer. When we left Omaha, Carrie was real sick with the flu and Russ was coughing. She's doing better after another trip to the Dr. and Russ is better. Jake was sick yesterday and Jenna stayed home today, but Russ thinks they're making progress. We're hoping to drive up to Des Moines to see Lucas play basketball this weekend. Nothing else new. How about those Hawks!!!!

UPDATE

We're back at Lake Manawa, enjoying the wildlife-the deer, black squirrels, birds and ducks, wild turkeys, etc. Yesterday when we walked on the trail, we had to wait for two deer to get out of our path-you might know I wouldn't have the camera with me.
Unless the weather changes, we'll be here yet this week for Jake's last football game. Then on to Kansas City for a few days of genealogy research, and on to Branson. By the time we get there, it will be Christmas in Branson-Andy Williams decided it would begin on November 1st this year. It will be fun to see the lights and get in the holiday mood. That's our plan, however, Mother Nature is in charge!

ST. CECELIA'S CATHEDRAL

In other towns, we look for the Cathedrals, but never have in Omaha, so today was the day. Like other cities, it's at the top of a hill surrounded by big, old houses, near downtown.

Inside, it's simple, but elegant.

It has lovely windows, made of little pieces of glass.

This one is known for its huge organ and famous choir that specializes in Gregorian chant.

TRICK OR TREAT

It's fall inside, and winter outside. This was our scenery this morning.

There's a Good Sam rally here this weekend. I can't imagine having one at this time of year, where they have an open air building. They put those tarps up last night to have a potluck. You wouldn't have to worry about the potato salad spoiling-but it might freeze!

I think we'll learn from their problems and not have a picnic today!

I have the feeling we'll be walking at a mall today.

A QUICK GAME

I think a picture of the scoreboard says it all.

Our Burke Bulldogs had a very good night! I learned something new-when you're 35 points ahead, they let the clock run-the whole second half. Since it was cold, I was happy. Jake only played the first half and the first touchdown of the second, but it was nice to see other kids get a chance to play. They got the last 20 points. Another fun game!

PAPILLION CITY PARK

This week we've been at the city park in Papillion, which is right beside Walnut Creek. It consists of prairie and wetlands with trails winding through them. We've walked every day, which explains why some pictures are sunny and others aren't. Near a parking lot, there's a garden where I found the iris blooming.





As you can see, we overlook part of the lake.



It's kind of a cool place to walk.

IRIS IN OCTOBER?

Have you ever seen iris bloom in October?

ISN'T LIFE WEIRD?

You never know what's going to happen in life-not that anything has, but I'm just trying to get a picture on here-eventually. But first, a couple we know that have a blog, had an interesting incident this week. He was driving down the road in his truck pulling their 5th wheel (his wife was behind in the car), and he had a serious nosebleed, with blood shooting everywhere. He had all he could do to pull the rig off the road. He ended up in an emergency room. Hopefully that will never happen to Don! Last night I talked to a friend (who shall remain nameless to protect our friendship), who also had to go to the emergency room. She was shaving her legs and nicked a vessel and blood shot everywhere. Thank God, this will never happen to Don! I certainly hope the rest of you people are careful! Now, for the picture. Don has always figured if we were poor, he could paint barns or be a garbage collector. Over the years, this was supposed to make me feel better. I decided the other day, he's an old man, and no longer capable of doing either one. Occasionally he mentions being a greeter at Wal-Mart. But, we think we found him a possible job, that would be fun and profitable. Can't you just picture Mulert in the drivers seat of this beauty?

For those of you who are new readers, I add something strange occasionally-just to make sure you're alert! This should take care of it for awhile!

JOE TESS RESTAURANT

We read about this restaurant in the Roadfood Book and it's also been on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives, one of our favorite programs on the Food Channel. So-we thought we'd try it. Up to this point, we've been pleased with their choices. Now I'll admit that we don't eat much fried food anymore for obvious reasons, so that may have colored our judgement. But-it wasn't very good. They're known for their fresh seafood, especially carp and catfish. We thought we'd try a sampler-Don had carp, shrimp and chicken, and I had carp, shrimp and catfish. They serve it on a piece of rye bread with three slices of dill pickles hidden under thinly sliced fried potatoes and coleslaw. It wasn't greasy, but had thick coating so you could barely taste the shrimp, and just didn't taste very good. It was interesting, but if we ever returned, and I doubt it, I'd have broiled salmon.

They also have a seafood market in one part of the building. It's probably good.



I wouldn't go for the ambience-it's in a Latino neighborhood, on the side of a hill, overlooking a trucking company and a major highway. But-remember-it's interesting!

LEWIS AND CLARK TRAIL

The park is also along the Lewis and Clark trail and there is a display in a loop of the walking trail. In order to commemorate the 200 year anniversary of the journey of Lewis and Clark, the children of the states along the way, were asked to draw their impressions of the trip for history. This is what they did with their drawings. It' quite interesting.

HAWORTH PARK

Since there are limits on how long you can stay in some of these campgrounds, (usually two weeks in a month), we've been moving around. Last week we spent at Haworth Park, which is a city park, along the Missouri River in Bellevue, next to Offutt Air Force Base. It had two hundred spaces and was very nice.

The garden club has several perrenial gardens in the area along with a rose garden.

There's also a small marina attatched to the park area. Here's part of it.

There are two walking trails along the river and around the area. As you walk, you can watch the pilots learn to take off and land those huge planes, about every five minutes. You can also watch boats go by, and bridge traffic, on a bridge that needed a coat of paint many years ago. I wonder when it had it's last inspection.