A Wedding or Two?

I haven't fallen off the face of the earth or gotten a job (believe me you all would have heard about that one . . .) but I've been away for the last two weeks going to a series of weddings and visiting my hometown in Kansas. I've been so busy these last few weeks, I've hardly had time to sit down and check my e-mail, let alone update. I did get four job applications off in my down time.

I started off by heading down to Mobile, AL for my cousin's wedding. It was a very nice affair full of southern hospitality and some of the best food I've had in a long time. -- Seriously, I ate my way through Mobile. Going down there for a wedding, I didn't do too much research on the place before heading off as I figured most of the time would be spent with the family - and it was, so it's a good thing I really like my family. I really love my Aunt and Uncle from Boston and if I can convince some people here in DC we need a short weekend trip, I hope to be visiting them sometime soon.

If you're in the Mobile area, the Museum of Mobile costs $5 - less for students and seniors. They have a George Washington Carver exhibition up, but we didn't get to see much of it as they had large tour groups from schools going through at the time. The museum is quite extensive with some really fun things to see. Also, the USS Alabama is located nearby. For $5, you have access to the whole ship, the airplane hanger, and the submarine. Careful when it's hot though! There's a definite lack of air conditioning on majority of the ship. Also watch out for those pesky bulkheads, my shinbone is still bruised. My Aunt, her sister, and niece went to the Fort (FREE!) and the Mardi Gras Museum (I'm not sure how much it was to get in - but they loved it!). There's also the Mobile Museum of Art, but no one made it there - we were busy with other things, like a wedding . . . and food.

For food - a little more on the expensive side check out Felix's. Their steak is to die for! and the baked potatoes aren't bad either. For some inexpensive BBQ head to Saucy Q's BBQ - unlike the BBQ we adore in KC, this sauce is vinegar based. The ribs were nice and lean - and the French fries were nice and crispy with a side of coleslaw (if that's your thing, it certainly is mine!)

We wished the cousins well and headed back to Kansas City - my home sweet home.

My friend Megan came out from Colorado to join us for a few days, so naturally there were more museums and food stops. First thing was to hit up the Sonic for a Diet Cherry Limeade. We are sadly denied a Sonic here in DC, so it is a rarefied treat. Once while traveling with friends on a weekend trip, I spied a Sonic marker on an exit. I MADE them turn off so I could get a hamburger, tater tots, and my beverage of choice. They thought I was nuts. Maybe I am.

While Megan was visiting we hit up Jack Stack BBQ - the best BBQ you will ever, ever eat. Some people swear by Rosedales (good sandwiches!) or Aurther Bryant's (I know I will have pitchforks after me, but I don't care much for it) or Haywards (nice sauce!) - but if you want the whole package, go to Jack Stack. We also made it downtown to Manny's Mexican food (we actually came back two days later when my sister arrived in town) - the pork chili is good, but I prefer the tacos with a little extra salsa. And as long as we're talking food, don't miss out on Bo Ling's - the best Chinese food around with great lunch portions. Also check out George's Pizza (Overland Park) which is run by a Vietnamese family - their lunch specials come with a salad, drink, and small pizza for $5.

For museums, Kansas City isn't lacking. If you've never been to the Nelson-Atkins you are missing out! It's FREE - with some special exhibitions costing around $7 or so. They just had a fashion photography exhibit which Megan and I caught just before it closed. The Nelson has quite a few Henry Moore statues - including the Sheep! Don't miss the Shuttlecocks out on the lawn or one of Monet's Waterlilies painted shortly before his death.

We also stopped by the Nerman - a contemporary art museum located inside Johnson County Community College. It's FREE! Right now they have some amazing bead work on display and you physically can't miss the museum's star of the show - a kimono made out of dog tags by a Korean Artist.

We talked about walking around on the Plaza - which is a shopping area (and modeled to look like it's sister city Seville, Spain) in Kansas City, but it was too hot. But if you're ever in the area it's another must see - during the holiday season the whole area is decked out in lights.

The following weekend - Megan left us! - we went to another wedding - which was just as much fun as the previous weekend. I felt spoiled all the way around! Congratulations to all those who got married in the last two weeks! It's been fun! Perhaps more later - silver cake stands anyone? - when I get the camera hooked up and pics downloaded.