Catch up time...where are we now?

Ok let's see, the last time I wrote in the blog I believe we were in Blue Springs, MO.  We had a lovely visit with old friends and former boss, Dr. V.B. Perry MD.  He was a family  doctor in Pine Bluff for over 50 years before he retired.  He was a wonderful boss and I miss him and his wife Gail very much.  After his retirement, he moved to Blue Springs, MO. to be closer to his daughter.

                                                          Dr. Perry and his dog, LJ.

 Dr. Perry and Mrs. Gail.  They don't look like they have changed a bit.  You can't tell it but DP just celebrated his 83rd birthday!  It was so good to see them again.
While in the Blue Springs/Kansas City area we also decided to go to Oklahoma Joes for supper.

Anthony Bourdain had listed this on his "13 places to eat before you die"!  With a recommendation like that, we had to try it.

First off, we arrived to find out that this "restaurant" is actually in a service station.

 Then notice that the line is out the building and almost around a corner.
 I must say that the line moved fairly fast, it was just a very long line.  The wait time in the line was about an hour.

These were just a couple of the write-ups in publications about this great BBQ place.  I must say that it didn't disappoint.  The food was outstanding!

Even though it was cold, we had a good time and the food was very good.  Would stand in line again if I were in this area again.

                                                            Stadium in Kansas City.
After leaving Missouri, we headed for Council Bluffs, Iowa.  This little city is like a suburb in Omaha, NE.  Though they are in different states, you can't tell when one ends and the other begins.

 This is some of the beautful corn fields outside Omaha, NE.

Beautiful corn just waiting to be picked.

We stayed at the Horseshoe Casino in Council Bluffs, Iowa.   It was water and electric only sites.  We were very close to what we were wanting to see.

 This was some kind of "art" sculpture.  Hmmmm.   I didn't really understand it so I can't tell you what it is, or was.  I must tell you that right after we passed that little piece of art, we were suppose to turn into the campground on the casino lot.  Well Jim's GPS had a nervous breakdown and sent us into OLD downtown Omaha, NE.

 I knew we were in trouble when I looked up and saw this rather large bright yellow building with Spanish words all over it.  I believe we were in "little Mexico"!

 Some of the buildings looked like we had stepped back in time.

 And some made me feel like we had made a very wrong turn and were in Mexico!

 We finally got things back on track and found the campground and got settled in.  We wanted to see the Railroad Museum but unfortunately they were closed on Sunday and Monday.

If you look real close you can see the train on top of the hill.  Our next choice was to go to what has been proclaimed as the "best zoo in North America!

If you had told me I would have gone to a zoo for the day without some kids dragging me along, I would have told you that you were nuts.  But I must admit, we had a great time.  Maybe it was because we could move at our own speed.  Or it could have been because we could move at our own speed that we only saw maybe a third of the zoo.

 One of the first things we saw was this very pretty brass sculpture of Lions and Tigers. Oh MY!

 This building is what actually made us want to see the zoo.  This is the Desert Dome.  You can't really tell just how big this dome really is.  The deserts of the world are showcased in this dome.  The animals and plants of each desert.  There is also caves and swamps represented here.  The latter is actually underground in this dome.  A truly must see in the area.

 I have always loved fountains like these.  Just mind boggling that a thin cushion of water can turn that huge marble sphere.

 These are some pictures from inside the dome.

I hated that my camera wouldn't focus on the meerkat and not the fence.  I loved the pose.

 Libbie said the brown lizard ? would make cute shoes.   Bad Libbie.  I did like the polka dots though.

                                                              Fluffed up Kookaburra.

 Looks like a razorback but its a Peccary from Argentina.

After we left the dome, we headed over to the chimps and gorillas.

 This chimp was listening intently to the woman that helped raise him.  He followed her from window to window.

He and his sister seemed to like looking at her belongings in her purse.

It was a fun day at the zoo.

Later