21st June - Kansas City

Another very hot day dawned so we lacked the energy to do much sightseeing. We took the bus to the City Market - ‘the market where locals shop’. It was a combined farmers market and other stalls together with a flea market. According to the website: “Since its inception in 1857, the City Market has been one of the largest and most enduring public farmers' markets in the Midwest, linking growers and small businesses to the Kansas City community. In addition, more than 30 full-time merchants are open year-round and offer specialty foods, fresh meats and seafood, restaurants and cafes, floral, home accessories and much more” We spent some time looking at the stalls but it really was too hot to take much interest.

There was a museum on the site dedicated to the Steamship Arabia which sank in 1856. This museum is home to a time capsule of frontier life in the 1800s. The Arabia was headed up the Missouri River when it struck a submerged tree and sank just north of Kansas City. Her cargo hold was full of 200 tons of supplies bound for general stores and pioneer settlements. As the years passed, the river changed course and left the Arabia buried beneath a Kansas cornfield. Finally, in 1988 a local family and friends uncovered the lost Arabia and her magnificent cargo. They were amazed to find fine dishware (including lots of undamaged English Wedgewood china), clothing, and even bottled food all preserved in remarkable condition.
The number of different artefacts there was staggering. It must have been so exciting finding all these things when the buried ship was discovered.

We had lunch at the market but it was far too hot and we were too exhausted to do anything else that day so we bussed it back to the hotel and took refuge in the coolness of our air-conditioned hotel room. We only ventured out again in the evening to the Chinese Restaurant next door for a meal, followed by a gentle stroll to a local park where we discovered a beautiful fountain dedicated to firemen who had lost their lives whilst on duty.

One last thing for today. We passed used car lot on the way back - would you buy a used car from this guy:
'Nuff said!