Friday was the real play day of the week since all of the required participation events were finished, except for the closing ceremonies. We were able to wander around the city quite bit and see different things. We started out doing a grand tour of the Crown Center area for shopping and sightseeing, a walk through the Broadway St. area and returning to Bartle Hall to get back to the hotel.
We took the car and drove around the city to look for places to do some errand shopping and to see if we could unearth any interesting stuff. The drive took us first to Route 24 and the eastern side of the city where we stopped at Arrowhead Stadium to get pictures. Then we were able to stop back at the hotel for a break and then took off again to check out the northern side of the city.
We drove up Route 169 and into Briarcliff. This got us to some areas where we could shop and then we returned down the Oak Trafficway. We drove along Route 210 into the eastern side of the city to stop at the Ameristar Casino & plaza. After this, it was time to go out for dinner before the closing ceremonies. We made a stop at the Golden Ox where we had a long wait for our meal, but were rewarded with some excellent steaks.
Returning to the hotel, we got ready for the closing ceremonies and took the bus over to Kemper Arena. The intensity was pretty high but also the anticipation and anxiety of waiting for medalists to be announced. The ceremonies were conducted well, but it was disappointing to see a lot of people leaving before the end of the awards. Hopefully people will be more respectful in the future conferences.
After the ceremonies, the students came back to the hotel for a state sponsored BBQ and a chance to pass out participation certificates. We didn't get back to our rooms until 11:00 and then had to pack for the morning. It turned out to be a good thing we did, since the flight was leaving earlier than I realized!
We took the car and drove around the city to look for places to do some errand shopping and to see if we could unearth any interesting stuff. The drive took us first to Route 24 and the eastern side of the city where we stopped at Arrowhead Stadium to get pictures. Then we were able to stop back at the hotel for a break and then took off again to check out the northern side of the city.
We drove up Route 169 and into Briarcliff. This got us to some areas where we could shop and then we returned down the Oak Trafficway. We drove along Route 210 into the eastern side of the city to stop at the Ameristar Casino & plaza. After this, it was time to go out for dinner before the closing ceremonies. We made a stop at the Golden Ox where we had a long wait for our meal, but were rewarded with some excellent steaks.
Returning to the hotel, we got ready for the closing ceremonies and took the bus over to Kemper Arena. The intensity was pretty high but also the anticipation and anxiety of waiting for medalists to be announced. The ceremonies were conducted well, but it was disappointing to see a lot of people leaving before the end of the awards. Hopefully people will be more respectful in the future conferences.
After the ceremonies, the students came back to the hotel for a state sponsored BBQ and a chance to pass out participation certificates. We didn't get back to our rooms until 11:00 and then had to pack for the morning. It turned out to be a good thing we did, since the flight was leaving earlier than I realized!
Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City.
Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City.
The first class view of Kansas City from the Hyatt Regency 38th floor in Crown Center.
Time to do some shopping at the Crown Center.
Taking a moment to put away our loot outside The Best of Kansas City.
View of the Hyatt Regency hotel from the Elevator on the Westin hotel.
Walking in The Link as it crosses over Pershing St.
The great view of the downtown area from The Link as it passes over Main St.
Yum... This was seen in the science novelty store in Union Station.
The ceilings and walls are amazing in Union Station. The intricate artwork is immaculately restored.
One of the window arches at Union Station.
Another main hallway in Union Station. It was partly blocked off as people prepared an exhibit.
More of the amazing style of Union Station.
Motorcycle themed exhibits were shown at Union Station when we visited. This one was at the main entrance.
Another one of the motorcycles on display outside Union Station.
Carvings commemorating the veterans of World War I at the monument next to Union Station.
A very nice view of Union Station in the foreground and KC skyline in the back. Bartle Hall is the building left of center in the downtown area with four towers lining the top.
The World War I monument below Crown Center.
A closer view of the Union Station from the World War I monument site.
Looking toward the Westin Hotel from the WWI monument site.
The WWI monument and museum entrance. The engravings in the walkway are quite impressive - and numerous.
A closer view of the WWI monument engravings.
Looking south from the WWI monument. This area appears to be renovated and expanded since our last trip. It has been worth it because the area looks quite nice.
JonF and I returned to Union Station to head up Main St.
Railroad overpass on Main St. Silly shadows of JonF and JonM against the gravel in the stockyard below. I don't know why, but I always find this location and viewpoint entertaining.
Don't know what this flower is called but it looked like it was growing wild and it looks nice, I think.
The Hobo Home! We returned to the site of the world famous Hobo Home at the underpass at I-35 and 20th St. Looks like he may not have done any home improvements since our visit last year.
WHAT'S BEHIND THAT DOOR???? We saw this strange door in the underpass wall near the Hobo Home. We can only guess what is on the other side - it is locked.
A reflecting mirror looking type of view from the concrete jungle at the I-35 underpass near the Hobo Home. It means nothing, but it sure looks cool in a picture.
The Casino at Ameristar. No, we didn't go in - but it was quite a sight to see.
More of the Casinos at Ameristar.
Eating dinner at the Golden Ox. The wait was tiring, but they made good with a really good steak dinner.
Arriving at the closing ceremonies in Kemper Arena.
Our arrival at Kemper Arena, along with other "redcoats".
The horde of "redcoats" floods into Kemper Arena on Friday afternoon.
The SkillsUSA closing ceremonies stage.
The ME SkillsUSA banner makes the rounds. It was hard to get a clear shot for some reason - getting it from the back is as close as I could get.
JonF and I await the results - for quite a while as it turned out!
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