Carthage, Missouri — Route 66 Gem

As the airline industry continues to price itself out of business, I believe more and more baby boomers are going to tap into their childhood memories of family vacations and rediscover the easy fun of road trips. Sure, our experiences as kids were times of being forced to spend our long anticipated release from school with the people who annoyed us the most, on a journey that seemed to rival The Odyssey in terms of arriving at our destination... both ways... in the heat... drinking lukewarm water from thermoses that had our brothers' cooties on them. But, even those fantasized discomforts seem infinitely more pleasant than the regulatory torture meted out by the TSA, which seems hellbent on justifying its existence by eliminating all vestiges of the joy of travel.

Road travel now offers more convenience, more relaxation and infinitely more personality than air travel. And, most of the time, it can be spontaneous and reservation free, especially day trips or weekend getaways. 

Grand Avenue B&B, Carthage, Mo.

About 150 miles south of my home of Kansas City, is Carthage, Missouri. I had the pleasure of visiting this historical gem this weekend. As soon as I entered the city limits, I became aware  the town has a rich history. There are many old, stately homes with large windows and wide porches hearkening to a day when air conditioning was a cool breeze. The town has a laid back appeal, probably the result of its wheel of fortune existence.

Residents of Missouri learn early about the role Missouri played in the Civil War as a pro-Confederate state. It was the epitome of neighbor against neighbor, especially in the areas near the Union state of Kansas. Two weeks before the Battle of Bull Run, there was the Battle of Carthage, fought on July 5, 1861, and the beginning of non-combatant hostilities that threatened every family in the state. In 1864, pro-Confederate guerillas burned the city to its foundations. 

That tragedy was overcome with a rebuilding of the city's fortunes based on lead and zinc mining, until the environmental dangers of those elements was discovered. Another setback.

However, fortune smiled again when it became a part of the legendary Route 66. There are many landmarks reminiscent of the heyday of the Mother Highway, including Boots Court, where according to the Carthage Visitors' Guide, the room pictured below was used by none other than Clark Gable. How cool is that?

Boots Court, Carthage, Mo.

Just a few miles outside of town is a shutterbug's dream location, called Red Oak II. The brainchild of Lowell Davis, it's a rural depository of all things Route 66, including buildings and cars of the era, as well as his own metal sculpture artistry. 

Lowell and his wife live on the property and are eager to make your acquaintance and share their story of how the property came together. 

Of course, as road travel became more and more popular, an Interstate Highway System because necessary to divert traffic away from residential areas and city centers. But the Main Street of America is still a favorite route for the casual traveler, and Carthage uses the Route 66 nostalgia to its advantage. 

A fun place to eat, Iggy's diner literally reflects the bygone days of Route 66's prime. The spirit of the Elvis welcomes you to the restaurant... literally, his voice emanating from a life-sized cut-out of the King of Rock and Roll. The food is pure road fare, but worth every calorie and cholesterol gram, served by people who seem to love what they are doing. 

And, speaking of kings, at White Rose Winery and B&B, a Victorian mansion surrounded by massive trees, you will be greeted by Ri, the most laid back pooch I've ever met. 

Ri, whose name is Gaelic for "King," rules the roost at White Rose, obviously, since his throne is a Victorian antique.

One of the bedrooms at White Rose Winery and B&B

Beautiful fountain on the grounds of White Rose Winery and B&B, with vineyard in the background

The town square of Carthage surrounds the impressive Jasper County Courthouse and offers unique stores and antique malls, as well as a Civil War Museum.

  

So, if you are wanting to get your kicks on Route 66 or just in the area of Southwest Missouri, Carthage is a great place to visit. There's lots of history, beautiful scenery and unique sites, including the world-renowned "Precious Memories Chapel." 

"One Summer" by David Baldacci Book Review

I haven't read any of Mr. Baldacci's other works. I have to feel that this debut foray into a different genre was a beginner's miss. You don't make it on the Time's best seller list with this kind of maudlin prose. A predictable story of unbearable tragedy, unbelievable triumphs, unapproachable characters with unoriginal dialogue... I felt like I was reading the script of a soap opera, all that was missing was the dramatic background music. 

I finished this book in record time, not because it was hard to put down, but because I turned pages unread, knowing exactly what was about to happen. It wasn't so bad that I walked out on it, but almost. However, I do believe a younger audience would enjoy the book. It almost seems to be written for teenagers. And, it could be suitable to carry along on vacation... you won't get invested enough to miss any fun, and it'll definitely help you fall asleep in that strange hotel bed. 

Sorry, Mr. Baldacci. I'm sure you're an excellent writer. Everyone has their off times... this was definitely one of yours.  

Menage a Trois California White 2011

Kansas City has had a real taste of summer this week, with temperatures in the mid to upper 90s. I've never been a huge fan of white wines, but this week definitely called for a beverage that was crisp, light and chilled. I made a stop on the way home and picked up 6... yes, 6... new whites I've never tried before. As I'm perusing the labels, I came across Menage á Trois 2011. Since I like the red, might as well try the white, right? It didn't disappoint. It's a blend of 44% Chardonnay, 34% Moscato and 22% Chenin Blanc. On the nose are the aromas of minerals and grapefruit. The taste is peachy citrus, with a nice long finish. I'm a total sucker for anything peach. It has a nice balance of tart and sweet that will work well with fish and salads, even desserts, but is very nice on its own. Like its red counterpart, it's very affordable, around $12/bottle. 

"Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children" Book Review

I literally read this book in four days, during a working vacation week jammed with home repairs... it was that hard to put down. It's the debut offering of Ransom Riggs and one of the most original stories I've read in a long time. Using odd vintage photographs, the author weaves a story around the pictures that pulls the reader in, making the implausible realistic. In the vein of Stephen King in terms of weird and wonderful, there's plenty of action, lots of intrigue and some downright scary monsters, all centered around some peculiar children who should be dead and a young man who is just discovering his destiny. It was a New York Times #1 best seller and on the Best Seller List for a year. 

Home Is Where the Heart Is

My house is like the third little piggy's house... built of stone, specifically cinder block with plaster walls. The wolf can huff and puff, but he's not blowing this house down. When I had cable installed, the installer went through two drill bits to bring the wiring inside the house. I may lose my roof in a tornado, but I have a lot of confidence in the walls and foundation.

I've had occasion to bemoan the stone walls, particularly when wanting to hang pictures, but it has it's advantages. Besides its strength, it's impervious to rapid temperature change. And, the house has a heating system envied by most of my friends — radiant heat, which is basically pipes running through the foundation that circulates hot water from a boiler. I love it because, even in the winter, the floors are warm enough I can walk barefoot comfortably. It has beautiful flooring, which I love and is rarely used anymore. It's parquet tiles, made of real wood, much like a hardwood floor, but with the stability of a concrete foundation. Additionally, it has a working fireplace. I use it often, not so much for actual heat, but for the warmth I feel from looking at it. 

I literally fell in love with the house the moment I saw it. But, it is 80 years old and requires a lot of maintenance. It is precisely for this reason my father didn't want me to buy the house, although he never said as much to me. He knew it would require work, and that I was not handy with power tools. But, I can't help but feel, had he lived longer, he would have been proud that his daughter learned about home improvement the good old fashioned way... through necessity. 

I have to admit, the first project — replacing the tile in the kitchen — proved to be a disaster. But, I learned from it, and the main lesson was to research, plan and make sure I have the right tools for the job.  Needless to say, I understand the whole "Tool Time" feeling guys get. I have to admit, there's a bit of a head rush in handling power tools. 

My brother gave his tacit encouragement by giving me a tool carrier one year for my birthday. It's one of my most prized gifts. 

The main thing to remember, I've discovered, is that there is no real failure. Homes seem to be very forgiving. I may make mistakes, but in the end, it's all about the love I have for my home, the time I give to it and, ultimately, the pride I feel in making it a statement of who I am.

Home is where the heart is, and my heart is, literally, in this house. I can't imagine living anywhere else.

Barefoot Pinot Grigio

Today was hot and humid in Kansas City...  making it hard to believe we had snow on May 5. As I ran errands for 7 hours, I kept thinking about the Barefoot Pinot Grigio I had chilling in the fridge. I finally made it home, uncorked the wine, poured and ... ahhhhh. 

Just as the name and logo suggests, this is a great wine for all the activities that summer brings, as well as the fresh salads and fruits that are available for the table. It's so light, it's practically clear in color. On the nose, there's salty grapefruit. The grapefruit flavor follows into the taste, combining perfectly with the crisp and sweet flavors of pear and apple. 

Only 12.5% alcohol makes it perfect for poolside and won't interfere with your horseshoe throw. The finish is so clean, it almost feels like I just had a breath mint. It's inexpensive, too! 

Predator Old Vine Zinfandel 2011

Don't let the puny aroma or light ruby color of this wine fool you. As soon as I took a sip, I had to go scrounging in the refrigerator for something I could turn into a bold, rich, saucy dish to hold up to the meaty taste. Luckily, I had some left over roast that I was able to transform with the help of some Masterpiece BBQ sauce. Perfect pairing!

It's from Lodi, California, of course... all really good Zins are! The award-winning Rutherford Ranch Winery is located on the Silverado Trail and has a portfolio of seven labels, all from sustainable vineyards. The ladybug logo of the Predator label represents the natural predation method of using the vine-friendly ladybugs for insect control. 

It started off with a mild aroma that made me think of having a cup of coffee in a pine forest right after a rain. The flavor of full-on spicy and smoked meat coming to a peppery fruit finish makes it a perfect fit for summer grilling and complimentary to any marinade or BBQ sauce. Save your white wine for poolside... this is the wine you want next to the ribs and brisket.