Wichita

Jim and Donna greeted us shortly after we arrived in the campground. We assembled in Tom and Nora's motorhome to recount part of the days activities.

On our first full day in Wichita Tom and I went on a mission to find a new CB antenna even though the one he had was working very well. He wanted an antenna that is more flexible than what he had. Our search took us to a CB store in Kechi, Kansas. Over the entrance to the store was a sign proclaiming, The oldest CB shop in Kansas. The only model of antenna available was stiff, fiberglass models like what Tom already had. After talking to the people in the shop, Tom decided to stay with what he had until we could find another place to look for what he really wanted.

Tom looking at a display in the Wichita boathouse

Tom and Maury looking at the Jayhawk racing yacht

When Tom and I returned to the campground, our group took off to take a trip into downtown Wichita. Our first stop was at the Wichita Boathouse. It is here that an America's Cup class sailboat, the Jayhawk, is on display. The sailboat was one of three racing yachts used by Bill Koch, a native of Wichita, to win the 1992 America's Cup race.

From the Wichita Boathouse we drove east on Douglas Avenue, the old main drag in downtown Wichita. While driving, I pointed out the bronze sculptures that are located mostly on the sidewalks on either side of the street. We ended up in the Old Town section of Wichita. This is an old warehouse district where many of the old buildings have been restored and put into service as stores and restaurants. One of the restored buildings originally was a warehouse where I worked when I was a teenager. Many of the streets, of Old Town, are paved with antique bricks.

A brick paved street in Old Town — Photos by Nora

Outside one of the stores was a lifesized, plastic sculpture of a cow. Tina leaned over and pretended to kiss the cow on the nose. Later I saw Nora and Tina, inside one of the stores, talking with a big, friendly teddy bear looking over them. I always enjoy taking the tour of the wide variety of shopping experiences provided by the many stores. I also like to see how the old buildings have been restored to like new condition.

Tina makes friends with a plastic cow

You never know who or what might be looking over your shoulder

Out in a plaza area, there was a life-size bronze sculpture of a woman sitting in a chair with a little girl on the woman's lap. It looked like a touching scene of a mother and daughter during a tender moment. Now it was time to find our way back to our cars so we could get ready for dinner out.

For several years, Kay and I have been under the impression that Stroud's Restaurant was George's favorite place to eat out. So, on most trips to Wichita, Kay and I try to arrange to take George and Lois out to eat at Stroud's. The restaurant is located in an old barn with some of the dining areas located in old livestock stalls. Many of the old boards, in the stalls, show the wear and tear where animals had chewed on the wood. I find it to be a fun place to eat.

George and Lois at Stroud's — Photo by Nora

The specialty at Stroud's is pan-fried chicken. The food is served family style with big bowls of green beans and mashed potatoes delivered to the table along with large bowls of fried chicken. Then additional items are available to add to the basic menu.

The restaurant sells their own line of T-shirts, sweatshirts, and baseball caps. On these items is a saying that illustrates the freshness of the chicken served. The saying is as follows: We choke our own chickens.

Because Kay and I like the restaurant and because it was George's "favorite" place to eat, we thought it would be fun to show the place to our traveling companions. So, on Friday night all of us went out to eat with Kay's family; we made up a party of ten. It was a fun meal in a fun restaurant. I was looking forward to us eating our meal in the old animal stalls; however, they were all taken when we arrived at the restaurant.

Our group dining out at a fried chicken place

We ended up in a more refined dining room with nearly all of us at one long table. As luck would have it, the staff made a mistake in arranging the table, as there wasn't enough room for all of us. So, a small table was pulled up to the end of the long table. This is where Donna and Jim sat which was next to Kay and me. Across from us were Tom and Nora. On the other end of the long table were George and Lois with Kevin and Tina across from them.

During the evening we had a lot of fun conversation with several discussions going on at the same time. With one conversation going on at our end of the table, I overheard another at the other end. Tina said, to George, something like, "I understand that this is your favorite place to eat." Where upon George replied, "Not really, we just come here because the kids like it. I like a steak house close to home better." I thought George's reply was really funny. Next time we are in town I will have to take George to the steak house, however, I will still go to Stroud's as well because this "kid" really does like the food served in the old barn.

After taking George and Lois home, our group of six RVers found our way to Jim and Donna's house after dinner for dessert. We had a short visit before heading back to the campground and calling it a day.

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