October 10 ~ 2011 Wichita Kansas

I found myself plopped down in Wichita Kansas in a hotel with absolutely no agenda and a 2 year old who would have swam all day if I had let him.  But I grabbed a "Wichita Visitors Guide" and we sat down for breakfast.  I paged through it while we ate and found some interesting places we could go.  Of course I was less interested in the "main stream" tourist places and more interested in clever little places and local pit stops.  What we found to do was clever and very fun! 

We started out at 9am with a trip to a nearby town to visit the Karg Glass Blowing stuido & gallery.  It was incredible the space they have.  In a neighborhood sits this fantastic glass blowing studio.  We got to see the men working.  This kept Espen entertained for a good 30 minutes!! (http://www.rollinkarg.com/)  I of course had not intended to purchase anything but there were these intersting pumpkins that I swear I have seen recently in a magazine that I had to get!  So we came home with a little glass pumpkin! 

Then we headed downtown Wichita.  I had seen Old Market and was interested in seeing if there were some clever shops in there.  Well when we arrived in downtown I was surprised to see that there were folks gathering for what looked to be the start of a parade.  Sure enough... we had gotten there before it started and the celebration was the 150th Birthday of Kansas!  So we watched the bands & longhorn cattle & cowboys... Espen filled his pocket with candy and waved at the football players!  Just before the rain came, we scooted into a great coffee shop called Mead's Corner.  (http://www.meadscorner.com/meads/)  This coffee shop is a non-profit whose missions include school art programs & an orphanage!  They make great coffee and panini sandwiches!  They have a fan cam .. we of course had to use it!!

We had some time to explore the Old Market where we found Rebecca's!  A great store!!  The owner, Rebecca, had a love for fabric & a home studio she out grew.  She decided to try her hand at a shop.  It was clever & wonderful!  She was so fun to talk to!  We shared a love for our children (she has one son of mixed race) and a love for our passion - hers fabric & mine pots!  She invited me to send some pics of my work as she would like to have it.  So I'm going to!  It was a great place!  We also visited Lucinda's and Bella Lux but didn't like them as much so will just mention them!  Rebecca's is worth checking out!!  Wish I'd spent some $$ there!!



can see Anders in the background!!



Then we were off to see Anders skate.  The whole reason we were in town was for a hockey coaches clinic that I thought it was important for Anders to go to.. so I forced the issue and we met him.  I could see when I saw him on the ice just how much he missed it and how right I was!!  The ice is his first love... and I saw it all over him!!  And Espen had never been to the ice rink before & before I knew it he was trying to get out there... so I bought us socks & we went skating!  My back is killing me but the baby loved it!!  His balance is pretty amazing.  When I put the skates on him we were still outside of the ice & he just walked along towards the ice without falling... on the ice he tried and wanted to do it by himself.  He was on single blades.  He tried so hard!  I think he will get the hang of it this winter!! 

Our last stop was Cero's Candy.  (http://www.ceroscandy.com/)  Oldest candy store in Wichita.  Was great!  They make 98% of what they sell... It was tasty!  The lady was so nice and Espen got to watch them make candy for a  little while!  He mostly wanted to go help and got flustered with me when I would not let him...

Then back to the hotel finally for some swimming and dinner with Anders!  A long day for certain.  But a day under $50!  And we did and saw a whole lot!!  I'd go back to Wichita.. but next time I hope to explore some new place!!