Tour of Kansas City, Cliff Drive Stage

The Cliff Drive stage of the Tour of Kansas City was held today... racing began at 8:30 this morning and participants in 10 categories went around the 2.8 mile course with varying numbers of laps. Below are pictures from the Pro, Category 1 and 2 race which began at 2:30.Races started and ended at the Colonnade above is the start of the Pro race.
The course went west of Concourse Park and past Reservoir Hill then on to Cliff Drive going past North Terrace Lake and then up Goose Neck and back around to the Colonnade.
Above.... Gladstone Boulevard just after Goose Neck... the Kansas City Museum in the background.
I can barely get up Gooseneck once on my bike.... these guys had to do it 18 times on a 100 degree (in the sun) day.
Above, rounding the first curve on Gooseneck. Below, once you made the top of the hill a cooling hose spray awaited.

Above, passing the Thomas Hart Benton Memorial, below, riders seen through the Colonnade.

Above, Brian Jensen won the race going away... the 5th time he has won the Cliff Drive portion of the Tour. Below... he discusses the race with the announcer.
The Tour this year was a benefit for Operation Breakthrough. The final stage... the Power and Light Criterium is tomorrow.... racing starts at 8am.

Went To A Garden Party.....

Visited Bruce and Veda Rogers at their bed and breakfast, Gladstone Manor, Thursday to see the garden they have lovingly worked on for years. Long time residents of Scarritt Renaissance the two theatre professionals (retired, sort of) have acquired extra land behind their home to create a terraced garden complete with a fish-populated pond.
At their suggestion I time my visit to witness the feeding of the fish... a frenzy to say the least... and I enjoyed tea and conversation before taking pix.....

The garden is on three levels connected by stairs that Bruce built himself.
It really is an urban oasis.
The day lilies are in bloom but won't peak for a little while longer.


The pond has a small waterfall and ranges from two to three feet deep so the fish and many of the plants can overwinter.



Actual shot of fish-frenzy as Bruce threw in the food.... one of their longest lived coy is emerging from the water right center.



Day lilies up close and personal with more of an impressionistic approach than absolute sharpness....








My thanks to the Rogers.... it was a great way to spend part of an afternoon......

In Memory of Father Bruce

This post is in Memory of Father Bruce Rahtjen who loved and appreciated the preservation of our history far more than most and was an absolute delight to have as a Northeast neighbor. He, like many of us in our community, treasured the architectural wonders we possess and was constantly vigilant against any who would diminish all of us through selfish destruction of our inheritance. Bruce will be sorely missed. More shots from the bike ride on Sunday through the three neighborhoods north of Independence Boulevard/Avenue. Above and below... this home was used for part of a movie production, Robert Altman's "Kansas City" released in 1996... the production company helped refurbish the exterior of the home.

Above, a bed and breakfast on Gladstone Boulevard.


Below the porch of E. Harry Kelly's house. Kelly was a ragtime performer and composer in the early part of the last century. This house is listed on the local Register of Historic Places.

Above and below.... stately. The dual garages belonged to the Heim Brothers who erected twin houses to live adjacent to each other. They owned and operated the Heim Brewery in the East Bottoms... as well as the first iteration of Electric Park in the same location.

Above the newly renovated Benton Circle and below two more views of the "Kansas City" house.


Many of the homes in Pendleton Heights are just plain cute.


Even SOME of the apartments are getting into manicured lawns.

Above and below as seen along Gladstone Boulevard just east of the Museum.

Above, one more from Pendleton.

An Aztec Solstice

Although there is considerable disagreement with my conclusions I am happy to show the Summer Solstice at the Aztec creation known as Carl DiCapo Fountain. Only one week per year does the sun strike the face of the water marvel reaching its peak illumination on this day each year. Constructed approximately in 400 BCE (the brickwork dates it) the fountain/waterfall/sacrificial pond thingy was the earliest use of electricity in the New World.

The face of the fall is re-cycled mud brick covered with syrup for water proofing. Ancient symbols frequently, mysteriously appear on its face. And I rest my case with .... Who else would build something to catch the sun just once a year?