Once we got Vanessa started after bleeding the air out of the radiator we didn't turn the engine off again until we pulled into the repair shop in Kansas City, even keeping the engine running to refuel.
Freddy at Brown's auto shop couldn't have been nicer to us. He lived in Seattle previously, worked at University VW, and loves Vanagons. He even gave us a ride to the hotel when we couldn't find a cab.
While Vanessa is having work done we are staying at the Hotel Intercontinental across from Country Club Plaza, the oldest shopping center in the US, built in the '20s. It reminds us of Coral Gables. Beautiful
We had lunch at Jack Stack Barbecue, and the food was amazing. Best barbecue we have ever eaten, by far.
"Burnt ends" and "cheesy corn" were especially delicious, and I had sworn off red meat.
After lunch we walked over to The Nelson-Atkins Museum, absolutely world class.
The new Bloch Building was spectacular.
And the Museum was free!
Nearby are the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, Kansas City Art Institute, UMKC Gallery of Art, H&R Block ArtSpace,and several libraries and theaters. It's an amazing collection of cultural institutions.
Kansas City is known for its fountains, and reportedly only Rome has more fountains. Sadly most of the fountains have been drained for winter, but here's one:
All in all, if we had to break down, Kansas City is a nice place to be stranded for a bit. And by coincidence the Seahawks are in town for a game against the Chiefs. If the auto shop has Vanessa ready by tomorrow I'm rooting for the Chiefs!
Tonight we are enjoying strong drinks and great KC jazz in the Oak Bar.
Krystal and Jesse at the front desk of the hotel took pity on us because of our breakdown and gave us free drinks! (Actually I think it was because they fell in love with the mutts)
Here they are:
Everyone here is so friendly. And the jazz is terrific too; it should be since Kansas City is the home of Count Basie and Charlie Parker.
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