One Last Camping Trip Before Winter

The Bluffs at our Campsite

We went on our second and final camping trip of the year the weekend of October 16. I took the day off work so we could travel to western Kansas, where we have camped previously. This would be our third trip to Hipcamp C2T Ranch on the Saline River. We love it there, and this proved to be another great camping trip just north of Hays, Kansas.

We once again rented a U-Haul to pack our items so we could all go in one car. Erin, Greg, Carrie, and I left Friday morning around 8 a.m. and headed west. We made a few stops along the way, including our usual spot in Alma, Kansas, where we stopped to get some snacks, check out the cheese, and prepare for the rest of the trip.

Later, we made what is becoming our annual stop at Russell Stover in Abilene, Kansas. With snacks in hand, we were ready to finish the rest of the drive, which was another hour or so to where we would be eating.

Take on Chicken Pot Pie

We first went to The Handle Bar Tavern in Plainville, Kansas, last year when we went camping. We liked it so much that we decided it would be our first stop on our camping trip back to the area. The drinks did not disappoint, and the food was delicious once again. If you are in the area, I highly recommend stopping by The Handle Bar Tavern.

Following a late lunch, it was time to head to our campsite, which was another 15 to 30 minutes from where we had lunch. When we arrived, the camp host greeted us and took us down to our campsite. This being our third trip to the same site, we knew exactly where we were going, but the host was gracious and took us down anyway, making sure everything was to our liking.

Everything was perfect.

We unloaded everything from the car and U-Haul so we could start making camp. It did not take us long to get the tent set up and everything situated for the evening. It was a little windy to start, but as the sun went down, the wind stopped. It was a beautiful evening with no clouds, and we could see stars all the way down to the horizon.

Ready to Eat

At the site, we get unlimited firewood for $30 for the whole weekend. We also once again bought hamburgers from the camp host that come from cattle raised on the ranch. They are wonderful!

We cooked the hamburgers and enjoyed the evening talking, listening to music, and looking out over the landscape. What a great way to spend an evening.

Saturday morning, we all slept later than we normally do when camping. I think we started getting up around 9:30 or 10. We did not have much planned for our only full day at the campsite. Again, the wind was blowing pretty good throughout the day, but it was not too bad.

Erin and Carrie Gathering Firewood

We cooked hot dogs over the fire, and then Greg and I listened to the KU and Washburn games throughout the day. I believe the KU game started at 11, so once it finished, we switched over to listen to the Washburn game. Both teams ended up losing, but we had fun listening old-school style on the radio.

Getting Chili Ready to Cook

Saturday evening would be chili that Greg cooked for us. We started preparing everything while there was still some daylight. While the chili cooked, we went on a short hike to check out some of the other campsites. We did a little photo shoot of us walking that turned out great.

Selfie on Hike

Silhouettes of Us on the Trail

Following our short hike, we got back to camp and tended to the chili as it finished cooking over the fire. Once it was ready, we all grabbed our bowls and ladled out some chili. It was so good that I had two full bowls. I was very full, but it was so worth it.

Warm Fire and Evening

We huddled around the fire after dinner and listened to the playlist we had all built. We started with two songs each from five friends, and then added songs from two bands recommended by co-workers, with us picking which songs from those bands to include. I think we came up with a pretty good playlist.

Listen to our camping playlist on Apple Music

I ended up falling asleep while we were sitting around the fire. I had started drinking some beers earlier while listening to the football games, so everyone else had fun making fun of me for falling asleep. I was warm and cozy, listening to the playlist, so sleep came easily.

Sunday morning, we all slept later again than we normally do when camping. None of us was feeling particularly motivated to start packing up and heading home. Eventually, we got everything packed back into the U-Haul and loaded into the car.

We left our campsite around 11 a.m. and headed into Hays, Kansas, where we wanted to find a place for lunch.

We ended up finding a spot called Las Hefas Latin Cuisine that showed up in a search. It was so good that we want to go back to Hays just to eat there again. The owner/operator was our waiter, and it was interesting talking with him. He grew up in Hays, went to Fort Hays for college, and eventually opened the restaurant.

He told us that locals do not really come to his restaurant and that people passing through Hays make up more of his regular crowd. The locals do not know what they are missing.

Fantastic meal, and we will definitely be back.

Carrie Photo of our Campsite

Overall, we had a great camping trip. It is always fun to be outside, enjoy nature, sit around a fire, and get away for a few days. I am sad that we were only able to go camping twice this year. Next year, I want to go four, five, or maybe even more times.

Until next time, have a great rest of your weekend and a wonderful week.

Returning to C2T Ranch: A Perfect End to Camping Season

We went on our last camping trip of the season and returned to a place we had only visited once before but loved so much that we had to go again. We stayed at C2T Ranch on the Saline from October 17 to 19. This is a HipCamp site we first visited in 2022, and we were excited to go back. This spot never disappoints. It is on a working ranch where we saw and heard cattle roaming the land. At night, after going to bed, we heard coyotes in the distance. It was a fun spot, and we ate well too.

We decided to rent a U-Haul so we could all travel together in one vehicle, which worked out great. We went with Erin and Greg, who joined us on our first trip to C2T Ranch in 2022, so we all had good memories to revisit. We left early Friday morning and already had plans for lunch in Plainville, Kansas, where we ate at The Handle Bar Tavern and Eatery. It is an excellent spot north of Hays, Kansas, where we enjoyed drinks and delicious food. The Handle Bar Tavern and Eatery has a large menu, and everything the four of us ordered was excellent. I highly recommend stopping by if you are in western Kansas.

Check-in for our HipCamp was at 2 pm, and we arrived right on time. It looked just the way we remembered from our first visit. We set up quickly and were ready for the evening with fresh hamburger meat delivered by the HipCamp host. We did this the first year and remembered how good the burgers were on the open range. Along with the meat, we ordered potatoes to cook over the campfire.

Since we had an early start Friday morning, we did not stay up very late that night. I think we were all in our tents by 1 am. It was getting rather cold, so we were ready to call it a day. It was a fun first day of travel, camping, and relaxing.

Saturday morning we all got up somewhat early to make pancakes. Waking to the sound of cattle far off in the distance was something I had never experienced before. We all talked about how, during our previous visit, we did not recall hearing any cows. We guessed they were in a different pasture in 2022, which is why we did not hear them then. This time they were loud throughout the night and most of Saturday. Mid-afternoon the winds started, just as we expected, and that helped drown out the cows, but then we had to deal with gusts up to 40 to 50 mph. Chairs were flying around, items blew off tables, tents came unlatched, and even a few tumbleweeds rolled through our campsite.

We managed to play some cornhole Saturday afternoon before the winds really picked up. We had a few tournaments, but as the wind strengthened, we realized the game had to end because the bags were turning in the air and landing in random directions. It was still a fun afternoon as we listened to the sounds of the ranch, played music, and enjoyed games.

Saturday night we planned to cook pork tenderloin for dinner over the campfire. Greg took the lead in preparing the pork, and we got the fire ready for cooking. The pork turned out juicy and flavorful, and everyone enjoyed it. Erin and Carrie made instant mashed potatoes that paired perfectly with the pork.

After dinner and cleanup, we sat around the campfire enjoying the warmth. Having an unlimited supply of firewood is a real treat at this HipCamp because it allows us to keep the fire going as long as we want without worrying about finding more wood.

When Sunday morning rolled around, we were all sad to pack up and head home. As we packed, we talked about how we need to do the Hays, Kansas trip again and stay for more nights. We will see when we can fit that into our camping schedule since this year was busy with multiple trips. We enjoy camping so much, and I look forward to doing it again next year.

Until next time, have a great rest of your Sunday and a wonderful week.

Symphony in the Flint Hills: A Memorable Finale

Stage at Symphony in the Flint Hills

On Saturday, we attended our second Symphony in the Flint Hills—and the final one of the series. The last time we went was in 2013, although that year it was held on the Fort Riley base. That was still a very cool experience, but we missed out on seeing it in the actual Flint Hills.

When we heard this would be the final event, we knew we had to get tickets and head out to Strong City, KS, to experience the symphony one last time.

Panoramic Setting Sun -- Courtesy of Greg

We lucked out with the weather—it was overcast with no rain, and the cloud cover helped keep the temperature lower than expected. We went with our friends Laura and Jason, and family members Erin and Greg. We brought plenty of food and had a great time snacking and enjoying the pleasant weather. It took about 45 minutes of traffic to get into the area, but it was worth it.

Sunset, Cows, and Flint Hills

The scenery was stunning—rolling hills dotted with cattle created a picturesque backdrop. We arrived around 2:30 p.m. and found a great spot, which turned out to be right along the path of the cattle drive during intermission. Carrie captured some great photos of the cattle being driven across the land and the cowboys at work.

Selfie Early in the Evening

The Kansas City Symphony’s performance felt a bit short. Carrie and I were away getting drinks when the music began—about 30 minutes later than scheduled, as people were still arriving and waiting to get in. We later heard that some attendees waited up to two hours to enter, due to the dirt roads. Thankfully, we followed the recommendation to arrive early and were ready for the music to start at 6 p.m., though it was delayed to 6:30.

Cattle Drive and Cowboys

The symphony played a few pieces before taking a break for intermission. That’s when the cattle drive took place, which was a unique and memorable sight.

After the performance, the sun was setting, casting a golden glow over the Flint Hills. With cows grazing in the distance and the sky painted in warm hues, it was the perfect end to the evening. Knowing it would take time to get 5,000 people out of the area, we stayed until about 9:30 before heading back. We made it to Topeka by 11.

Selfie in the Flint Hills with Setting Sun

I’m so glad we were able to attend one last time for the finale of this incredible event. This was the twentieth and final Symphony in the Flint Hills. I’m grateful we got to hear the beautiful music, take in the breathtaking views, and enjoy the evening with friends and family.

Until next time, have a wonderful rest of your Sunday. Happy Father’s Day to all the dads, and have a great week ahead!

Back in Time: A Weekend of 80s & 90s Country Hits

Friday night, we had a blast at a concert by Wilder Horses, a country cover band. This was their final show at The Aurora Vinewood, and while we hadn't heard of them before, some friends invited us along. Their setlist was filled with 80s and 90s country hits, and it was so much fun! We danced the night away and had a wonderful time.

We even ran into our retired dentist on the dance floor! He was having a great time, and we were able to snap a photo with him while we were dancing. It was good to see him and chat briefly. He's been retired for a while now, but he and Carrie's dad are good friends.

Saturday was a sports day! We started with the Kansas State vs. Kansas game in the afternoon and then followed it with the Chiefs game. In between, I also watched Washburn University's basketball game online. They're currently ranked #1 in Division II and are undefeated with a 17-0 record. They dominated their opponent and scored over 100 points. It was an exciting day for sports fans!

That's about it for this lazy Sunday! It's been a short post, but I hope you all had a fantastic weekend and have a wonderful week ahead.

Christmas Cheer: "Finding the Light" - Music, Laughter, and Holiday Reflection

Merry Christmas 2024

Friday night, Carrie and I had the pleasure of attending "Finding the Light: Event and Reading." We went not really knowing what to expect, but it was so fun. It was a production of readings, music, and fun. The plot revolved around guests attending a Christmas party and the troubles or issues that arise in life while trying to navigate the holiday season.

The performance made us laugh, shed a tear, and feel reflective about the Christmas holiday. It was something I would see again next year if they produce it again. I would love to take my family and friends to see it too. We heard about it from Erin and Greg, as the people who wrote the original musical were, or have been, involved with the Topeka Civic Theatre located in Topeka, KS. Our friends, Jason F and Jason D, were in the band and sounded fantastic! It was a fun night, and I hope they do it again next year as we would definitely see it again.

This was truly the first Christmas celebration outside of work that Carrie or I have attended this year. A little unusual, but it was nice to hear some original songs alongside some of the familiar Christmas carols. It was a special and enjoyable evening.

Selfie in Front of Christmas Tree

We took some time to take pictures in front of the beautifully decorated Christmas tree that was set up. They offered some delightful drinks to enjoy before, during, and after the event concluded, along with some light snacks. It made for a perfect evening of entertainment and truly put me in the Christmas spirit. 

As we approach the final full week before Christmas, I can hardly believe that 2024 is coming to an end. It will soon be Christmas 2024, and the year will be over a week later. Yes, I say it every year, but the years seem to be flying by faster and faster. You blink, and suddenly the year is over. I have a lot to do this next week at work before wrapping up 2024. I am looking forward to some time off to regroup and prepare for 2025.

Have a great week, and make sure to savor the build-up to the Christmas holiday.

Air Supply, Hurricanes, and Ham Sandwiches: A Weekend in Houston

Rainbow on way to KC Airport

Carrie and I made what was supposed to be a quick trip to Houston, TX to see a concert and also see our friends. We left for Kansas City to stay at a hotel Wednesday evening; on our way, we saw the rainbow stretching across the sky. We actually saw a double rainbow, but the second one was a little difficult to see in our picture. It was beautiful. The rainbow was forecasting that we would be stuck in Houston after the weekend due to the hurricane.

Cash and Cooper

We arrived in Houston Thursday morning following connecting flights on American Airlines from Dallas to Houston. No direct flights on American Airlines to Houston, so we wanted to get points to and stayed with American Airlines for our flights which was actually cheaper than trying to do another airline that was a direct flight. We had the chance to meet the newest member of the Flora family, Cash (pictured in the background to the right), and of course Cooper (in foreground to the right). Cash is about six months old and full of energy. We had a fun time getting to know Cash. It reminded me of Oliver when he was a puppy with all the toys everywhere. 

Tommy Cooking Burgers

On Saturday, we were able to enjoy a pool party at Tommy's house where he cooked us burgers. It rained most of the morning but cleared off enough where we could get in the pool. This was just a rain storm moving through and unrelated to the hurricane that was moving into the area Sunday evening and Monday morning. We had a great time spending time with Tommy and then Chuck and Melissa also were able to join us that day too.

Selfie at Air Supply Concert

The purpose of our trip to Houston was to attend Air Supply on Sunday night. The hurricane was due to move into Houston Sunday night into Monday morning. As the days led up to Sunday, we wondered if we should leave Saturday or Sunday morning, but then flights started being canceled and the decision was made we would attend the concert. On our way to the concert, it rained like crazy and we debated about turning around although it was a rain storm and not the hurricane, it was intense.

Air Supply

The concert venue announced earlier in the day that with the hurricane moving into Houston, the concert would start at 7 and end by 9 pm. Sure enough, they started at 6:57 pm and with one encore, the concert was done by 8:45. We had a great time with a good crowd considering what was moving into the area. This was the second time Carrie had been to an Air Supply concert and my first time attending an Air Supply concert. We had a great time and it was fun singing to so many songs we had heard for so many years. Our friend Javier was supposed to join us, but he was unable to make it because of work. 

Encore by Air Supply

I am so glad that we made the trip to see Air Supply. Good idea by Corrie! We wondered prior to leaving Topeka if we would be stuck down there, but we were hoping for the best. We had a great time at the concert and left the venue to blue skies, birds chirping and no rain on our way back to the house.

Monday morning I awoke about five-thirty or six as there were a couple of power blips that caused the fans to stop for a brief moment. Luckily I got up, checked work email, and send a couple of messages saying we were delayed because a short time later, internet was knocked out and our cell phones were not getting any signal either. By six-thirty, the rain and winds were beating against the window and causing the power to flicker every now and again. We never did lose power at the house but the wireless in the house was out and would remain out until after we left.

Tommy lost power at his house, where we had the pool party, and so he came over to Corrie's house. We spent the morning watching the news of reports coming out of Houston from flooding, trees down, etc. So many people were stranded in locations where it had flooded and had to be rescued or they just left their car where they got into trouble. The reports of power outages grew through the day with over 2 million people without power. 

Tommy and John Eating

The reports were not to leave the house unless absolutely necessary, so we remained at the house. Corrie had stuff at the house for us to eat, so Carrie made Tommy and me dinner of grilled ham and cheese sandwiches. They were good! Following dinner, we went back to watching the news to see what was happening. Tommy got a hotel to stay in so he could have internet for work, so he left us to head to the hotel.

Our flights had been rescheduled to Tuesday and then we received notices that those flights had been canceled and rescheduled for late Tuesday. We did all leave the house to eat out for lunch on Tuesday. Many places still without power, no wireless at the house, and phones not working, we had to drive around to get cell signal to call places to check if they were open or when we were driving we would see which spots were open. As we were finishing up eating, we checked that our flight for later that afternoon was still on schedule and through conversation, we realized that instead of IAH airport we were now at Hobby airport. Good thing we checked and Corrie said something or we would have gone to the wrong airport.

Drinks at Airport

Following lunch, we went back to the house for a while before Corrie drove us to the Hobby airport. We hung out at the airport as we got there a few hours before our flight not knowing how busy security would be to get into the airport. We found a spot to have some drinks, read, and I caught up on work email with the available wireless. On our way to the airport, it was crazy to see all of the places in Houston without power. Gas stations that looked like parking lots with cars waiting for gas and cars going down or around the block waiting for gas. 

We were again flying from Houston to Dallas before arriving in Kansas City. We arrived in Kansas City after midnight and got home around 2 in the morning. A crazy final ending to our trip, but glad we were able to fit it in to make the concert, see our friends, and have stories to tell.

Until next time, have a great rest of your weekend and a wonderful week.

Nashville Birthday Bash: Honky Tonks, Brunch, and Bourbon Steak!

On Our Way to Nashville

Here we are in the middle of July and it is hard to believe that a month ago we were in Nashville, TN for the 50 birthday celebration for Corrie. We had a great time. I meant to write this following the trip, but we were busy following the trip and did not get it done. We had a wonderful time in Nashville and plan to go back in the future. We went to so many great spots to listen to great music, drink, and of course we ate at some great spots too. This will be a few of the places we went but not an inclusive list.

Drinks at Assembly Food Hall

We were in Nashville from June 13 - 17. We packed in a lot during our time there. We would sometimes sleep late to about 9:30 or 10, but we were out the door and doing things in Nashville everyday we were there. We would not head back to take naps or breaks, but it was nonstop and a great time. Picture to the left was a spot we ended up a few different times called Assembly Food Hall. A variety of places to eat or get drink. Fun spot!

Group at Brunch

There were ten of us total on the trip although all ten were together I believe only two days together. Picture to the right was brunch at Adele's where we went Saturday morning on June 15. We all came away stuffed and happy. I want to go back there in the future for dinner. We spent that day going between drinking spots while the ladies went shopping. 

I am jumping around a bit, but on Thursday we spent the day on Broadway going around to the various bars. It was so fun with great bands at each and every stop. Some places would have multiple bands playing at the same time, but the way the bars were set up, you could only hear one when in the vicinity of that band. Most bands would take donations with a bucket or with a QR code to send money. We did both methods while we were going around Broadway listening where we would drop cash into a bands bucket or send Venmo through their QR code.

Dinner at Bourbon Steak

The highlight of the trip was the birthday dinner for Corrie at Bourbon Steak. We had reservations for ten and we had talked about doing a private dining room but ended up leaving it in the main dining room. When we arrived, we were surprised they took us to the private dining. It was incredible with the views, the food, and the company. The picture to the left, or the others in Flickr album, do not give it justice. We had our own wait staff that took good care of us. Javier was in charge of the wine and we had three bottles of wine through the night. It was a fantastic evening! 

To see all photos from our trip, you can browse them using the images below.

Fun memories to celebrate the birthday for Corrie. It was fun hanging out with everyone to celebrate big birthday weekend for Corrie. Carrie and I hope to go back to Nashville sometime soon.

Nostalgia Through Music

I enjoy Apple Music and the fact that it can give a summary at the end of the year of songs that I have listened to frequently during the year. Prior to Apple Music, I was using Rhapsody by Real. It is sometimes fun to go back to see what I was listening to in heavy rotation when I first start using Apple Music. There are top songs for each year going back to 2015. I am not sure if I was using Apple Music prior to 2015, but that's the first playlist that shows up in my history with heavy play rotation.

Over Memorial Day weekend, Carrie and I stopped at my Mom's in Lawrence. Mom mentioned she had been listening to CD I used to listen to back in the early 90s. I was curious of the name and she told me it was Painted Desert Serenade by Joshua Kadison. I had completely forgotten about the CD until it was mentioned. I searched for Joshua Kadison on Apple Music and immediately brought back memories of college. I think it was a CD that when I moved out of the house, I left at home. My Mom came across it in my old things and started listening to it in the afternoons.

Since last weekend, I have listened to the songs a few times through Apple Music. It is crazy how hearing those songs takes me back to the early 1990s. Of course this is true with other songs in the way the song can take us back to another time. 

As I look back on my prior years through Apple Music going back to 2015, I see a number of similar artists that I listen to regularly throughout each year with one being Neil Diamond but also mixed into the mix includes James Taylor,  Bruce Springsteen, Steve Winwood, Brett Dennen, and many others that show up year after year. 

What are some ways you keep track of music from your past?

I wish there was a way to look at back what I listened to as a kid, young adult, or into college. Yes, I remember some of them, but I know there are many CD's that I bought that I do not remember. Some I would like to find again that I know are in the house somewhere, but I have not been able to find them.

Until next time, have a great rest of your Sunday and a wonderful week...

The Mavericks in Kansas City and a Relaxing Weekend

The Mavericks

This past weekend, Carrie and I took a long weekend trip to Kansas City to see The Mavericks perform. It was actually our second time seeing them in KC – they put on such a great show, and we already have plans to go again next year!

This time around, we met up with my brother Tim and cousin Tom for the concert. It was Tim's first time seeing The Mavericks, and we had a blast right up front – we were only about four or five people from the stage!

Tom, Tim, and John at The Mavericks

Opening Act at The Mavericks

Raul Malo of The Mavericks

Group Photo at The Mavericks

Selfie at The Mavericks

Oliver in Hotel Room

Oliver enjoys hotel life

We brought our dog Oliver along with us. He actually loves staying in hotels! He enjoys relaxing in the room while we're out, but his favorite part is definitely the walks he gets throughout the day. It's hilarious to see him prance down the hallway, knowing exactly how to get in the elevator, and thinking every door we pass is "our room."

Exploring Kansas City

We arrived in Kansas City on Thursday afternoon and checked into our hotel, the Intercontinental on the Plaza. This hotel is dog-friendly, and they haven't charged us a pet fee either time we've brought Oliver.

Pancakes at The Classic Cup

Friday morning, we slept in and then headed to The Plaza for a late breakfast at The Classic Cup Cafe. They have a great patio, perfect for people-watching with Oliver. The pancakes were fantastic, and Carrie loved her breakfast sandwich – the homemade fries were a hit too!

After breakfast, we wandered around the shops before heading back to the hotel for a relaxing afternoon of reading, snoozing, and hanging out with Oliver.

Oliver at Breakfast

Walking Oliver Late at Night

Drinks, dinner, and good company

That evening, we met up with Erin and Greg for drinks at Chaz Restaurant and Lounge before heading to our dinner reservation at McCormick & Schmick's (always a delicious choice!). We finished the night with drinks in the bar area of our hotel.

Us on The Plaza

Relaxing Saturday and back home

Saturday was another slow start. We grabbed coffee at Summer Moon Coffee before heading to meet Erin and Greg for lunch in Lawrence, instead of Kansas City. We dropped Oliver off at my mom's place before lunch and then spent most of the afternoon catching up with her before heading back to Topeka.

It was a fantastic weekend filled with great music, seeing family, delicious food and drinks, and beautiful weather. We made some wonderful memories, and we hope you had a great long weekend as well!