Tree House Weekend

 I have always wanted to experience staying in a Tree House so I was excited when I found Hidden Valley Wilderness Retreat located close to home here in Kansas.  It was the perfect weekend get-a-way for the BF's birthday.  I opted for the Serenity Creek Tree House (inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright) which is actually two treehouses connected by a private walkway to allow interaction with nature.  One wing includes the living room, kitchen, sunroom, shower and vanity.  The second wing includes the bedroom and half bathroom.  There are a table, chairs, and grill situated between the two wings so it's perfect for enjoying morning coffee or grilling dinner.  The property has 2 miles of hiking trails + 32 acres and two small ponds.  There is hot-tub that you can reserve that is private and the perfect ending to the day.  The kitchen is fully stocked and includes coffee pods, creamer, and sugar. The property also contains Graham's Treehouse, Courtney's Cottage, and the Hidden Valley Wilderness Suite available for rent.  Stan and his wife Denise were the perfect hosts and we can't wait to return!  

For my Kansas people or those passing through that want to experience nature, bookmark this!

Click Here - Hidden Valley Wilderness Retreat

The perfect weekend get-a-way!

Shona

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White Cloud Winnings and Weston Wine

White Cloud and I don't mean the puffy poofs in the sky either.  If you haven't experienced this small, best-place-to-people-watch casino..make the drive North.  And if you aren't a regular, they know it...which just adds to the enjoyment of it all.  Saturday night of our weekend get-a-way meant a night of B-I-N-G-O and I am guessing you sang it just like I did when I was typing it.  Three hours of being a nervous wreck hoping to yell out the one word that everyone is anxiously waiting to say...and not one of us got too either.  And the people there, they take this sh*t serious too.  And did you know there are like 1,795 ways to play bingo...ya me neither. That and the fact I didn't want to yell BINGO when I didn't really have one just added to my anxiety!  But we did have a platter of fried food...winning!  

After bingo we headed to the slots to play the "free" money we received since it was our birthdays.  But you know the rule, you have to "play" that free money and can't just cash it out.  Come on people, I know how to work that system.  Insert a small amount, play a while, and since you usually win some along the way, once you get a head, cash out.  Repeat. I would only play like $5 at a time and always cashed out above that so thanks White Cloud for doubling the money you gave me!  

The next morning we headed down for breakfast before cruising to our next destination, Riverwood Winery.  I love this place! They have some of the best wine I have ever had and since it's getting to be close to the Holidays, their warm samples of wine and whiskey hit the spot!  I opted for Red Eminence and can't wait to heat that bottle up with a bit of mulling spices to make for the perfect Festive Cocktail! And the Havarti cheese was to die for...

We made a short stop in Weston to stroll downtown for a while before heading home.  Cigar shops, antiques, coffee houses...and I managed to pick up a few Christmas gifts while there.  I also found two pairs of Buckskin Indian Pants with antler buttons...Mom, about my Christmas list you asked for....I am going to need those! And I found a vintage glass syringe..I should probably add that to my medical bag too! 

I have to thank my Mom for planning this little get-a-way, she is super if you haven't already figured that out! See my previous two blog posts for more cool places we adventured to! 

Shona

Not Just Another Fly-Over State

Kansas...the state that connects East to West, North to South and if you ask me, should not be overlooked by the overlookers.  I have lived in this state my entire life, living in 7 different cities or towns and experiencing places some of you probably don't even know exist.  I grew up on a gravel road and my home was surrounded by cornfields, railroad tracks, fireflies, and nighttime silence. 

This post is for those who may want to venture out of the city to a small town where you may be labeled as the outsider or for those who may want to venture out of the country into the city where you become someone who "looks like you are from the country"...I have played both roles so I know all about that.  But guess what, no matter where I go the people are friendly, I can usually find a really good place to eat...necessity, and when I leave to go home, I have usually learned something new and have meet some really awesome people. 

Besides that, even though Kansas isn't surrounded by the ocean or the mountains, it is a beautiful place...I'll show you.

A little bit of country...because gravel roads lead to home.

 photo courtesy of @heather.rolf

 photo courtesy of @heather.rolf

harvested by my Dad

Lakes...because they are smooth like seas.

 Toronto Lake...photo courtesy of @heather.rolf 

 Clinton Lake

Perry Lake

Melvern Lake

Diners...because I mentioned I love to eat.

 Ladybird Diner, Lawrence KS...just overall amazing.

 Hookers N Reelers, Lake Perry...ask for extra bacon.

 The City Diner, River Market...great breakfast!

 The Pizza Parlor in LeRoy KS...homemade pies and pizza...need I say more?

Perry Bar and Grill, Perry KS...hamburger and fries please!

Trains...because they connect us.

photo courtesy of @heather.rolf

Flinthills and Wind Farms...because open highways and views for miles.

Last but not least, the city KCK-KCMO because we are one...with unexpected beauty.

For The Love Of Kansas

Shona

Labor Day, The Lake, and The Life of a Pirate

Labor Day Weekend wasn't much different than any other weekend, except we were able to spend four days at Lake Perry with a lot of friends and a few beers...or maybe more than a few beers, but it was a holiday!  The weather was perfect with cool mornings, sunny afternoons, and nights that included live music and a lot of laughter. 

Background; I didn't grow up on the Lake, it just wasn't something that my family did.  Occasionally we would join friends and I did learn how to ski early on and remember getting thrown off of jet ski's, but that's about it.  Still, even though years would go by without me being able to enjoy it, I managed to always love the water...the lake or the ocean for that matter.  This year, I have been pretty fortunate to be able to spend a lot of weekends on the lake.  I have made a lot of new friends, have learned so much about myself and not to mention about boating in general.  Never did I think I would know how to drive a boat let alone park one and I can park one...with certain weather conditions and with a little help from the Captain.

I managed to capture some moments this weekend with my professional camera aka my iPhone.  It's a simple life out there on the lake.  I have learned that I can pack lightly, use a lot of dry shampoo and use carbonated water to brush my teeth if I don't feel like walking up the dock.  Not to mention, sleep on a boat without any problems, other than waking up early, but sometimes the mornings are the best out there. The water is calm, the air is cool, you can hear the sounds of the early morning boaters, the seagulls and ducks are out and about, and you can smell the local bar at the marina preparing food for the day.  Did I mention we ordered a Casey's pizza for breakfast one morning...with a big cup of Coca-Cola Classic...that certainly hit the spot! Besides, I love that we can venture down the dock and creep on our friends...to see if they are ready for breakfast or have coffee talks before venturing up to have Spicy Bloody Mary's with extra bacon or the infamous Rum Runner to start the day.

Maybe I will never be a real Pirate but I like to think I am...a Sailor perhaps.  My heart skips a beat every time I see a sailboat and one day, I will be sailing around on one and maybe even living on the water, you know, like a Pirate would do with my spyglass and endless amounts of rum.

"Wherever we want to go, we go...that's what a ship is, you know." Captain Jack Sparrow

Yo Ho!
Shona