Kansas City

Got up early yesterday (Friday, 7/30), picked up Joe, our VFW Post commander, at 0445 and headed for SeaTac to start our trip to the National VFW Convention.

The convention was originally booked in Baltimore but, due to Covid protocol problems, was changed at the last minute. Now we're having a "business only" convention in Kansas City. "Business only" means we will be having our regular convention business meetings without the usual health fair, commercial vendor displays and other extraneous features.

While we were waiting for our flight, I saw this 747 roll by. I guess there are a few passenger models still flying, but many of them have been reconfigured as freighters.

The wind was blowing from the north so during climbout I got a shot of Puget Sound and West Seattle.

Our flight to MCI was uneventful but I must say that the signage in their new airport leaves a lot to be desired. Normally, when you exit the skybridge at the gate you see a sign that directs pax to baggage, connecting flights, etc. In this airport we didn't see a sign until I finally spotted a woman across the concourse waving her arms and pointing up at a small sign reading, "baggage claim." After we out that door and into an adjoining hallway, we followed the small sign that pointed to the right. That led us to a sparsely populated area that didn't look like an approach to the baggage area. Turning around, I saw a sign, "Baggage Claim" pointing back the way we had come. 

Finally claiming our bags, we hopped a Lyft and got to the hotel. After settling in Joe was thirsty so we got directions from a lobby clerk and walked down the street in 93 degree weather that felt like 107 (according to the weather app) to an Irish pub a couple blocks away. 

We stepped into The Dubliner and welcomed the cool breeze from the A/C after the hot humid walk from the hotel. 

Joe ordered a stout and I ordered a non-alcoholic draft. That was a "No" so tried a bottled version. That was also a nonstarter so I had to be content with my ice water. I should mention that Joe is an Irishman and must have kissed the Blarney Stone several times since he has the "gift of gab" as they call it.

Last night we went to dinner at a Brazilian Steakhouse, Fogo de Chao, where I could enjoy a great vegetarian spread from their extensive salad bar. 

Today we start the meetings and other business so off to work I go.