Kansas City, here I come...

I got a up this morning about 5 AM and finished getting organized for the 7 hour drive to Kansas City for my first TravBuddy MeetUp.  I also needed to get my dog, Martin, and his stuff together, so I could drop him off at my dad's place on the way.  Martin is getting old (almost 15), so he doesn't wake up as quickly as he used to.  A few strategically placed treat within range of his nose eventually helped to expedite matters.  Once he was up, he was actually excited since he thought he was just going along for a car ride which he loves.  He would later realize his ride ended in New Prague at my dad's place.  I finally got my stuff packed in the after getting Martin moving by about 7 AM and headed out of my driveway about 7:15.   I arrived at my dad's place about 7:45 and visited for half hour before departing in search of I-35 South.  As I pull out of the driveway, I hear Martin crying and howling.  He rarely does this, so now I'm really feeling guilty about leaving him behind.  A quick stop to pick up some caffeine and a not-so-healthy breakfast donut and I find my road, I-35 South.  btw - The donut sucked, so I'm off to a bad start.  In hopes of finding some positive energy, I turn the radio to play some MP3's.  What was the first song you ask?  Why "Kansas City", of course, by Wilbert Harrisson and maybe better known performed by Fats Domino on his Blueberry Hill album.  The rest of the songs were by my favorite group, Gaelic Storm.   I won't bore you with the next 6 hours as most of it consisted of driving through Iowa.  YAWN!!!!  ;)

Fast foward to Kansasa City and I found my way to my exit to downtown.  I thought I was following Google Maps, but soon realized I made a mistake.  After a couple more turns, I found by bearings and headed down Grand towards my hotel, the Hyatt.  I parked in the hotel's parking ramp and proceeded to check-in.  As I stepped out of the elevator on the 22nd floor, I could feel the building swaying with the wind and started to wonder if I would be able to stay in a room this high.  I got to my room, unpacked a bit and then took a 5 minute nap.  That seemed to do the trick with feeling a bit queezy, but I still could tell that the building was moving.   I also told myself they were "supposed" to do this.  :)  I might have been a bit nervous too, about what I had gotten myself into.  Driving 7 hours to meet a group people I didn't know and had only e-mailed a few, namely Yadi.  I decided I didn't make the trip to sit in my hotel room all night, so I headed back down the elevator and started walking towards the Power and Light District to meet the gang.  Unfortunately, I had missed the College Basketball Experience.  Since basketball is one of my favorite sports that would have been fun for me.  Next time!  I arrived at Kansas City Live and peaked into Howl at the Moon, but it was so crowded I couldn't recognize anyone.  I head back down to get a beer and wait in front of Vinino's Bistro assuming I'd be able to recognize the group as a whole.   As I finished my Guiness, I see a few people outside of Howl at the Moon.  I think I recognize Yadi and Mel, but I'm not sure.  I head back up into Howl at the Moon, pay the cover only to realize the whole group is walking out the door behind me.  I tap the last one on the shoulder and ask if "Are you Mark?".  He says "No, I'm Tim".  I then ask, "Are you here for the TravBuddy MeetUp?"  Tim says "Yes" and we walk back outside and he introduces me to the group.  I think I shook everybody's hand, but it was a blur.  I do remember a hug from Yadi.  I was really glad everybody had name tags as I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have remembered them otherwise.  After introductions were completed, we head down to Vinino's Bistro for dinner.   I find a seat between Yadi and Tim since I knew them the best.  ;)  At this point, the group consists of Tim, Shawn, Erin, James, Mark, Harriet, Sal, RJ, Mel, Will, Eric, Yadi and myself.  Am I missing anyone?  I start to talking to Yadi and Tim and am soon filled in on what I missed at the last bar.  However, I soon begin to the results as Mel falls "asleep" and James disappears.  I'm not sure of the sequence, but soon after we order, James disappears and Mel falls asleep.  Erin goes in search of James and after eating Will goes in search of Sal's rental car.  Once bills are settled, we debate going dancing, but Eric and Yadi reported back that the dance club was full, so we adjourn to Eric's hotel room for after dinner drinks.