Camping for Free

Yes - in the backyard. I know Neighbor Shane and Neighbor Fran will be perplexed when they see our tent set up in the backyard on Sunday evening, so now they'll know.

The Case Man and I really wanted to go camping this holiday weekend, but there is just too much going on - pool parties, planting new grass, blah blah blah. Plus, even though it's really cheap to pay for a campground at a state park or whatever, you still have to pay for it. And the bathrooms aren't as comfortable as they are at home. And we have a fenced yard at home so Libby won't have to be tethered. And all we would have to pay for are the S'mores and the beer. It's basically free. So we are going camping in the backyard this weekend.

Although, and I'll have to run this past the Case Man, but I think we should have some backyard camping ground rules. Like you can only go in the house to go the bathroom, or if you need medical attention. I think we should actually camp - just in the yard, right? We'll have to establish these rules this weekend, and then I'll post them later for reference.

Road Trip!

So last Saturday, after a nice morning at the City Market, the Case Man and I went on a free fun road trip. It was a beautiful day to just drive around and site see, so we journeyed north of Kansas City through Parkville on our way to Weston. We tried to take as many country roads and stay as parallel to the Missouri River as possible for the most scenic drive possible. Weston is so charming - lovely old (several antebellum) homes and charming little shops and cafes - couldn't really go inside any because we had the dog with us (Libby loves a good road trip) but we enjoyed walking around town and through the historic neighborhood.

Then we continued north up to Atchison, KS, where we saw a really cool Victorian house with gargoyles!

There is also a road called Riverview in Atchison that runs above the Missouri River. All these neat houses are along it and they have a beautiful view of the river and the fields and stuff on the other side, which is actually in Missouri.

And we saw a couple of foxes! I had never seen a fox before. I didn't get a photo but they were really pretty.

Our way back into the city took us through Leavenworth, past the Penitentiary, and back down through Parkville. It was a really nice way to spend about five hours, and the only money we spent was on lunch - and we could have packed a picnic lunch (we will next time) and saved ten bucks. So it was really pretty much free fun!

Plaza Live! Concerts

Free fun can be had on the Plaza every weekend. Window shop ('cause who can afford to regular shop - especially down there) and enjoy free music from 2-5pm at the Penguin Courtyard (on Nichols Rd. between J.Crew and Scandia Down,) Mermaid Courtyard (at Nichols Rd. and Broadway by Eddie Bauer) and Neptune Courtyard (on 47th St. by Houston's) on Saturdays and Sundays. This Saturday Stan Kessler & the Sons of Brasil will be playing the Mermaid Courtyard, and Roland Allen will be playing the Penguin Courtyard. Sunday will feature Lonesome Hank & the Heartaches at the Mermaid Courtyard, and Bayley Kate & The Bluegills at the Neptune Courtyard. So grab a seat near a cooling fountain, catch some free tunes, and splurge and spend a couple of bucks on an ice cream cone or an iced latte, since it's so stinkin' hot out.
Libby also has a suggestion for some free fun for your canine friend to have on the Plaza. She says that if you take your dog for a walk on the Plaza to be sure to stop in at the Three Dog Bakery. It's the original store! The first one ever. They don't charge anything for your doggie to sniff the yummy treats in their store, and they even hand out free samples!