Today’s subject was trains, trains, and more trains. We started out at Union Station which is somewhat like a mall, Amtrak Station, and childrens’ museum all in one. Managed to catch a view of an incoming train with a cargo of automobiles.
Ventured over to the Crown Plaza mall for lunch at Frtiz’s Railroad Restaurant where your food is delivered by model trains (someone’s video is here). Interesting concept. The food wasn’t all that good, but you’re really paying for the atmosphere so I can’t complain.

Afterwards we saw a Lego’s exhibit, visited a candy store, and then drove to the Plaza. The Plaza is like Rodeo Drive with alot of rich shopping centers.
Drove down State Street which the Kansas and Missouri borders connect.

Tomorrow we go to Wichita, Greensburg, and Dodge City. Long drive, good weather predicted…

Lecompton, Kansas, was the setting for today’s post. I recalled my high school history class about the prelude to the American Civil War. Kansans would tell you it started in their state several years before the confederates’ attack on Fort Sumter. Southern slave states wanted Kansas admitted to the union as slave state. This was to continue the balance of power in the U.S. Senate.
What really amounted to a mini civil war on a much smaller scale happened in Kansas prior to statehood. Pro-slavery Missourians fought with radical abolutionist like John Brown in a period of time known as Bleeding Kansas. All of this makes me want to watch the History Channel more when they’re not broadcasting faux history shows like Ice Road Truckers and UFO Phenomenon.

We visited the oldest wooden building in Kansas – Constitution Hall – which was the setting for the pro-slavery constitution was was never to be put into place. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable. It’s hard to believe that had Kansas’ history gone another direction, we’d be talking about Lecompton in lieu of Topeka as the capitol. At this point Lecompton is just a wide spot in the road with a bit of some Kansas history to it. However after Topeka as selected everyone moved out of Lecompton and on to Topeka. Lecompton is virtually a ghost town now.

In Topeka the state Capitol building was under construction. I had really wanted to see the mural of John Brown. This portrait of John Brown is the only known person convicted of treason featured in a state capitol.

Then onto Scanton, Buringame, Strong City, Cottonwood Falls, and Emporium. All nice towns of varying sizes. Each having their own downtown area with a few shops – always the hardware store, gas station, and cafe.
And if you’re intersted in more photos, Mark has some photos on his page which gets posted in real time as we visit.

I’m in Kansas. Olathe to be exact. I haven’t seen much of the city. It was dark when I landed. Didn’t see much of the airport either. Kansas City airport has the terminals behind glass, so that people who haven’t gone through TSA screening can venture right up to the gate and greet you when you exit the plane.
The plane ride was uneventful. It was a full plane. I managed to snag a window seat in the back. Behind me was an older bearded gentlemen who talked nonstop to the person next him about religion, the environment, Eureka Springs, Arkansas, etc. And I’m pretty sure the guy next to him didn’t know him. I was only glad to have an iPod available to listen to without the distraction of this guy talking. I’m pretty sure he was a premillienalist the way he talked about Revelation. He did know his Bible, or at least the verses in his Bible that he needed to proof a point (no matter how warped).
We’re just off of 159th street. Streets can number into the 300’s depending on how far you are from Kansas City’s center, with the center of town being 1st street.
We’re in a cookie cutter house in a planned community. Nice house, although everything around it looks the same.
Tomorrow is more of Kansas including Lawrence, Topeka, and a few other places I’ve never heard of.

I’m going to Kansas City over Labor Day weekend. Probably going to Dodge City one day. The thing that I am fascinated with is western Kansas. There is a vast amount of nothingness out there. Where do these people go for groceries? Is a shopping trip an whole day affair? Two or three hours to the nearest Kroger? How do they get their television stations?
This is an area where you have to plan on where you want to eat, get gas, or sleep. There is no restaurant or gas stations at every exit. Most of the large towns in western Kansas are no more larger than my hometown of 25,000 people. And most are much smaller. Take Goodland, Kansas – population of around 5000. And yet it is the one of the larger cities between Topeka and Denver.
This vast nothingness is fascinating. Why hasn’t it been settled? Is irrigation a concern? Most cities in eastern Kansas are situated along major rivers. And so the population stays in eastern Kansas. Western Kansas, according to the population pyramids is full of old people. The age group of the 18-22 year olds are small, most going to college or technical schools.
A friend of mine told me of another friend of his who would strap his stering wheel down with a belt and read a newspaper with cruise control while driving in western Kansas. And I would tend to believe him. No cars for miles. Roads without curves. Driving endlessly toward the horizon.
And yet I get the feeling that once I’ve seen western Kansas, I, like many of the others will think that it’s not a place to visit twice. We’ll see…

If I had it to do over again I’d do it in a heartbeat. I have never seen such beautiful beaches. Crystal clear waters. Mild weather. It was one of the most enjoyable major trips I had been on in a while.
Some lessons learned:
From Pearl Harbor Church of Christ, I discovered that it is ok to grow closer to your fellow brethern. Small groups can be good, and I wish my own church would do them, if only at limited times.
Always use sunscreen. Always.
It’s ok to step out on your own and go to your own island. Drive around a bit. Turn into a pumpkin by the end of the day.
Lava reaks havok with nature, yet if you wait long enough, a beautiful paradise will form.
The U.S.S. Arizona Memorial is overrated. Apart from sounding unappreciative for the lives lost, people build it up way too much than what is really is. It is a tomb. There isn’t anything flashy about a cemetery. And I’m not so sure it should be considered a tourist destination in Hawaii.
808 is not just an area code; it’s a lifestyle for some people. Me? I’m 615 All Day.
A Chrysler 300 is considered a compact car for Enterprise. Also never try to drive a Chrysler 300 on Front Street in Maui. You’ll never find a parking space.
The Southernmost Point? Not worth it.
I may not have the opportunity to return to Hawaii, but I’m hoping for it.

I spent the last full day of Hawaii visiting downtown Honolulu, Wakiki, and the Punchbowl. Probably one of the most peaceful time was at the top of the Punchbowl where the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. Looking back on it I wish I had spent more time. It is now getting late and I’ll try to write more tomorrow.

Today I found out that I can’t snorkel. Or at least I tried for 15 minutes, got fed up with it and quit. It’s just not for me. I’m not a very good swimmer to begin with. I have a tendency to panic in water. The main objective of snorkeling is to relax and just float along and watch the fish. Water had a tendency to get in my snorkel. Plus I like to stop and rest ever so often. After becoming frustrated I stood up. A lady near me said “You know, everytime you stand you kill coral.” “Sorry,” I said. Later I figured she was stating the obvious, as I had watched the same video she had watched. I was feeling bad already about the snorkeling not being very easy, and now this woman was throwing fuel on the fire by making me feel bad about killing coral.
I figured enough was enough and I just went back to the beach and took somewhat of a nap, catching a nice burn in the process.

Afterwards we drove around the east side. Great views.

My Hawaii adventure will soon becoming to an end. I’ve had a wonderful time and got some great photos. I’ve concentrated on getting great pictures. Driving to the most pictureques spots. Somehow I know some people will tell me that I really missed out by not doing a particular activity. Helicopter rides…watching sunrise from Diamondhead….going to a lua. However I refuse to be disappointed. I’ve already made a list of things to do on my next trip, which I don’t know when it will happen. Maybe some people find fulfillment in experiencing the tourist activities above. However I find fulfillment in simply experiencing life.

The U.S.S. Arizona Memorial was somber. However I think others built up the Memorial way too much in my mind. The film was good and provided with alot of insight on what exactly went on before and during the attack. For example, military bases were attacked all over the island, not just at Pearl Harbor. Pearl Harbor and the Arizona get all the press because 1100 men were killed upon sinking.
When you go to the memorial itself, you only stay about 10 – 15 minutes at the most, however you really wouldn’t want to stay any longer simply because there is not much else to see. Viewing the oil seeping up and the memorial wall….pretty much is it as far as the memorial is concerned.
They are trying to build a bigger and better visitors center. Not sure what it will look like, but I’m sure it is needed because the crowds can be overwhelming. Rebecca said that she has seen it to where the lines were several hours just to get tickets. We managed to get tickets for the next group by simply walking up to the counter. We had done the whole Memorial within an hour and a half. This includes the gift shop which sells the U.S.S. Arizona Memorial Rubik’s Cube with scenes of the battle and memorial on the sides. Tacky? Possibly.

On a lighter note I have become a new fan of Magnum P.I. Watch the opening sequence for memories sake. I guess I didn’t realize it was filmed on Oahu. I’m going to have rent some DVDs of it. Great ’80s show. The Rudders and I have been watching it at night.
On another note this morning Rebecca took me to “Savers” which is kinda like a Goodwill store for used clothing and other materials. Today was 99 cent day on yellow tags and half off orange tags. Bought 22 shirts. Spent $50. Are you listening Todd Burka? I’ll have to wear my “Another United Methodist Woman Working For You” shirt soon. Rebecca tells me that the Filipino women go there right went the store opens and just pile in the 99 cent shirts to send back home because it is cheaper than anything they can buy there. Go figure.
This afternoon it’ll be “The Boat” – a commuter boat from one side of Pearl Harbor to the other. It’s 2 bucks, cheapest boat you can ride on the island – apart from the free boat to the Arizona memorial. And it’s an hour ride and we’ll be coming back around sunset. Expect some beautiful pictures to show up soon.

Yesterday I didn’t do too much except drive around and take pictures of the beach. I did do a little shopping in a historic beach town – Haleiwa. Historic meaning its designed to look like its out of the ’50s. All the buildings are built out of wood with the same design – even the McDonald’s and Pizza Hut.

Today I might do some snorkeling. Rebecca and Brad have the snorkel gear so I won’t have to rent it! I’m not a very good swimmer – I can tread water but nothing going down to extreme depts. I’m being told that this doesn’t matter because you float in the salt water.

I don’t want to get home and be asked “Did you not do this…?” I’m here really to experience life and culture. Many tourist things don’t necessarily interest me. I’ve enjoyed taking photos and talking to everyday people about what life is like for the average Hawaiian.

The Pearl Harbor Church of Christ has intriged me. Membership is very temporary for the military folks. An average of 3 years. Just enough time to really get involved and be assigned duties like teaching or worship preparation – then be sent back to the lower 48 by Uncle Sam. Worship and classes are much more laid back, but in a good way. Their Malama Groups are small group meetings held on Sunday nights. From going to just one meeting I think I found out more about some of these people than I know about folks from my own congregation. Maybe the lack of closeness is my own fault, for not necessarily wanting to develop close friendships at my home congregation. Maybe that will change once I get home.

Small group meetings among churches of Christ have intrigued me. I think initually it was labeled as being “liberal” among the conservatives. But now you hear about conservative churches doing this. During the early church days, groups met in members homes, so why not now?
Then I realized that Mt. Juliet has been doing small groups for quite a while. Way back when I was in high school I participated in Bible studies at the Huddleston’s house. I still remember some of things that were taught and said at it. I grew closer to many of those people during those times. To my knowledge we’re still doing this with the teen bible studies, outreach teams, etc… Sunday night worship services was originally designed for those who might have been traveling on Sunday morning to participate in worship, especially the Lord’s Supper. You do loose something by not meeting on Sunday nights, but is it not a gain by growing closer to fellow Christians during a small group study on Sunday nights? Something to consider…

As I pulled into the Volcanoes National Park yesterday on the Big Island, the park ranger indicated that there were high amounts of sulpher dioxide in the air and that I should keep my windows rolled up. Some trails were closed, but the actual crater roads trail was opened. Got to see most of the park with all the lava flows from the past several years. Many times it seemed like I was in another world….the surface of the moon if you will. From a distance I could see the steam coming up from the lava flowing into the sea.
My regret is that I didn’t plan ahead to walk a 3 hour round trip trail down to the bottom of the surface of what a lava lake was. It was 2PM by the time I discovered it and I didn’t feel like I would get back in time. And after walking about a 1/4th of a mile on a road, I’m not sure I could walk a 4 mile moderate hiking trail. My other regret was not seeing the lava flow at night. I hear it really puts on a show.
The Big Island of Hawaii is more rural oriented. Got to pass through some small towns. I’m not sure what these small town residents do for a living. But I find myself asking myself the same question when I pass through rural Kentucky.
The funny thing about Hawaii is that I’m halfway expecting to be harassed by shopkeepers to buy stuff. In China I was constantly given the “hard sell” with a “buy this” mentality. Hawaii is not like this. I haven’t had a bad experience with shopkeepers, never been pressured to buy anything. I keep having to tell myself “This is America,” even though everyone looks Asian, but speak perfect English.
Today (Wednesday) we visited the North Shore of Oahu where all the surfers go for the big waves. Lots of good views of the island. More on that later…