Searching old memories & Making New in Wichita
Dear Friends,
Thanks for all your fun comments from yesterday’s blog. It was a hoot and glad it brought out the smiles.
Wednesday was a delightful day driving around in Wichita to find old landmarks that were long since gone, e.g. Bernie’s childhood home which is only now a concrete foundation, having been destroyed by a tornado years ago and his beloved place of employment, Gessler’s Drugs, also replaced by “progress.” Lots of laughter, a few tears, many, many stories all enhanced by wine!
Our pics with captions will capture the day’s itinerary. Certainly nothing can compare with our Route 66 experience but hope you will enjoy our less dramatic day.
First a tour of Botanica, lovely and full of gorgeous statues. Just like Huntsville’s garden, it had the LEGO displays, a butterfly house, and even a miniature railroad.
The art museum was across the street from the Garden and is famous for a wonderful inside cafe called The Muse. We ate lunch there (delicious) and then visited the museum all for free because Bernie was military…quite a nice surprise. They had two special exhibits…one on Light and Shadows and the other with photography from the depression era featuring Dorothea Lange among others. It was fabulous. But the real treat was a chandelier from Chihuly.
Here’s an additional and better look at the original Pizza Hut building among others.
Have a grea day and thanks for coming along,
L & B
August 8, 2019 @ 1:52 pm
We have never stopped in Wichita on any of our travels. You have given us a reason to do so. Both the Garden and Museum are enticing enough to try and include them in future travels.
Cindi
August 8, 2019 @ 1:59 pm
I am enjoying following your travels!
August 8, 2019 @ 2:09 pm
What a great trip .. and in such an iconic car! Are you singing Glen Campbell’s Witchita Linesman along Route 66?
I love Dale Chihuly. He currently has 40 installations in Kew Gardens in London.
The gardens look beautiful.
Enjoy the rest of your trip.
Antonia x
August 8, 2019 @ 3:15 pm
Thank you fo sharing. I’ll be with you during your travels from my home in Tucson.
August 8, 2019 @ 3:38 pm
Wow, it appears Wichita has upgraded itself significantly since Bernie, Marlyn and myself left. If the city as a whole looks as nice as the parks and museum it might be a place to return to sometime in the future. Though my memories were enhanced, or was it clouded, by beer (much of it consumed at the Pizza Hut) rather than wine.
The statue of the Indian over the Arkansas River reminded me of Wichita North High School the identity of which was defined by the “Redskin” motif and Indian art on the school itself.
Enjoy.
August 8, 2019 @ 5:44 pm
Wonderful tour of the museum! Love their statues and the Chihuly piece was fabulous !
What a nice museum! Thanks for showing it to us!
August 8, 2019 @ 6:17 pm
I’ve never been to Wichita. What fun to go through your eyes!
August 8, 2019 @ 9:44 pm
I’d hate to tell you how familiar your ‘driving in circles’ story sounds. Sounds like you may still use the good old Road Atlas – so much better than relying on Siri. But your wrong turns took you to the right place. Both the gardens and the museum were good—thank you. And like your Huntsville Gardens, they aren’t afraid to throw in some variety and imagination and fun. If you enjoy the garden statues, you might want to check out Brookgreen Gardens between Myrtle Beach and Charleston. Enjoy the rest of your trip.
August 8, 2019 @ 10:32 pm
Ditto Cynthia. What fun!!!
August 8, 2019 @ 10:34 pm
I enjoy following your & Bernie’s travels. I had laughing spells off and on all day yesterday when I thought about the two of you trying to find Wichita. I would never have thought of following someone else going to Kansas. I’m going to remember that the next time Pat and I take a trip. Looking forward to your Paris trip.
August 9, 2019 @ 4:00 am
Somehow I’ve lost your blog. Help, please. The trip is great, I’m sure. And what a special treat to get to see the Chihuly. We saw some in Las Vegas.