Disney Things in So Cal outside of Disneyland

There were other thing at the Reagan Library.  The Walt Disney Archives were at the Reagan Library.  I've seen some of the articles from the archives before and some I hadn't.
The archives went in order in of the company and started with his time in Kansas City.  His Laugh-o-Gram Studios was in downtown Kansas City, which I still need to find.  He lost his studio, moved out to California, lost a main character and created Mickey.  

From there the exhibit moved into his animated films.  They had the books that opened at the beginning of each film.  I've seen the Sleeping Beauty cover a couple times already but it never ceases to impress.

Something that I had not seen before were the reference costumes for Snow White and Pinocchio.

Then it was off to the office.  They had a display of Walt's working office.  Wish I could have worked in the Opera house when it was there.  But next to the office was the Mary Poppins nanny costume complete with hat and scarf.  They also had a copy of Mary Poppins owned by Walt signed by P.L Travers.

Then off to Disneyland.  They had Walt's nametag, the first ticket sold, the parking pass, the singing bird (which inspired audio animatronics) and the Disneyland map that sold Disneyland to investors.
Something I had not seen before was the draft for the signs as you enter the parks.  Orginally written - Where you leave today... and visit the world of fantasy, yesterday and tomorrow.  Walt changed it to read as it does today - Here you leave today and visit the world of yesterday, tomorrow and fantasy. 

They added a pavillion outside that housed even more treasures.  What's not to love about seeing the original  head of Maleficent's dragon from Disneyland's Fantasmic.

And as it was at the Reagan library they had a Hall of Presidents display.  They had the sculptures of each of the presidents as they are in the show.  

And you have to love a mouse ear hat that says Mr. President.

Another great place that you can visit any time of the year is Walt's Barn in Griffith Park.  I'd heard about it for years but never made my way up as it is only open the third Sunday of every month.  Luckily my visit coincided with that particular Sunday so off we went.

On the inside of the barn they had lots of different railroad displays.  Some were about Walt, others about Ward Kimball, and some about the Disneyland Railroad.   The best parts of their collection, besides the barn itself, are one of the original train cars and the track map.

Another item that has been completely renovated is a original Disneyland train car.  There were two sets of cars on opening day, one still rides around the park, Holiday 2, while the other is no more (besides the Lilly Belle).  The Carolwood Pacific group rehabbed one of the cars.  I talked to one of the volunteers and as a former conductor they let me inside.  I can only imagine how long this would take people to get in and out of!

Why have I not visited here before.  But I guess better late than never.

Roasterie Tour

It's time to be a tourist again.  But this time in my own city.  Kansas City has a lot to offer.  It's finally time to get out of the house and explore the city that I call home.

The first adventure was to Southwest Boulevard to The Roasterie.  The Roasterie is a coffee roaster here in KC.  Instead of the classic barrel roasters, think barrel driers, they use air and heat.  Kind of like an air popcorn popper.   They are one of the few Air Roasters from around the country and probably the only one in KC.  Kinda cool.

The tour started with a short video about the history of the Roasterie, where they get their beans from and how their process works.  From there it was into the cupping room.  This is where the tasters check out the sample beans from the growers to decide to buy and check the current day's batches.  Our tour guide showed us how the tasters slurp the drinks to hit as many taste buds on their tongue.  A little difficult with hot coffee.

 Our tour continued in the warehouse/roasting space.  The warehouse holds the beans that are ready to be roasted.  Most of their stock is not held on site but in a humidity controlled warehouse in California.  I love those coffee bags.  I have one from Hawaii from two years ago that I still need to make something out of. 

The next stop was at the roasters themselves.  You can't see to much outside of a couple beans popping towards the top.  They were only running one roaster but from what I can remember they have 4 different size roasters.  And I started on of them.  How exciting!

One more stop around the floor to the bagging area.  They vacuum pack each bag as to reduce the oxygen level to practically nothing.  And I learned something.  The vent on the coffee bags are to let the gasses that come off after the bagging to be released.  Good to know.  Finally they stamp their coffee as bagged/roasted on instead of a use by.  

 At the end of the tour you return to the Coffee Shop.  They should give you a sample like they do a Boulevard.  Maybe more people would come, only 5 people on my tour where Boulevard tours are often full.  Anyways when we were waiting for our drinks I checked in.   It prints out a little boarding pass.  A great continuance of the retro plane theme

I went back today to The Roasterie Cafe in Leawood.  The White Chocolate Macadamia Nut latte was so delicious.  Why go to Starbucks when you can go to a local company with much better coffee!

Day 24 Back to the States

My final adventure was getting back home.  I got up early so I could say goodbye to the boys.  They seemed a bit tired that morning because they probably had too much fun over the weekend.  Plus going to bed immediately after eating dinner so late and going immediately after has gotta be a little strange on the system.  The three of us sat at the table eating breakfast before they left for school with their dad.  I got some kisses and hugs goodbye from the three of them and off they went to start their day.  

We said goodbye and off I went out of the apartment, said goodbye to the Seine and headed up to the T2 line.  I hopped off at La Defense, bought my ticket from the same girl who couldn't help me before (she was the only truly curt French person I encountered) and off I went to the center of Paris via the RER A line.  Once in the middle of downtown, not that I would know it because I never left the station I transferred over to the B line to the airport.  For the second time I needed to go to the end of the line.  All and all it took me a little over an hour to get to the end of the line.  The nice thing was I didn't have anyone else touching me while traveling in the middle of the day.  It was a nice way to conclude my metro experience. 

When I finally got into the airport it took a bit of time to get checked in.  They have 3 large terminals with the number 2 terminal having probably 8 arms on it.  I found 2G and walked almost the entire length of the check in desks.  I checked in in one area and was sent to another location further down to check my bag.  That might have been a mistake because I have to pick it up in New York after customs.  Finally I made it through the passport check and into the terminal.  They were very efficient getting everyone though bag checks and through the metal detectors and I didn't even have to take my shoes off!

Once I got in there were all the fancy shops and a couple Paris souvenir shops.  I stopped in the souvenir shop and bought a small travel wallet with the money that Alice would not take.  After I found the macroon shop that I was hoping was there.  I bought some of them to take home with me to share with the family since I knew they were good from the day before, in fact too good.  I swore to the money gods for buying the wallet and not finding the macroons first.  So I had a bit left to spent in Euros buying a soda and some Kinder bars.  

Finally it was time to board the biggest plane to date, the A380.  Two complete floors full of passengers.   The plane is huge!  We got off late due to baggage getting on board and then sat on the runway for a while.  Finally almost an hour late we were off for the States. Since I was an Air France flight it came with an aperitif of champagne before the meal.  The meal was actually pretty good and of course had a bit of cheese on the side.  I watched a couple movies and never got up from my seat for the entire 8 hour flight.  Wow!
I got into New York city around 2 in the afternoon.  I went through customs again very quickly.  The US residents line was practically nothing while the visiting passports and visas had at least an hour.  Good thing because I only had about an hour between my flights.
Per security requirements I had to claim my bag, only immediately to recheck it about 30 steps away so it could be checked by American security.  Right...
The next step was finding my terminal.  I had come into the international terminal and needed to find the domestic.  I looked on the map and it looked like it was next door.  So a wandering I went.  No there, not there.  Oh the terminals are not connected.  Go outside and walk to the terminal.  Ok...  We I finally made it there with about 30 minutes to spare.  I got on my flight to Kansas City which was a little commuter jet.  3 seats across with about half of the plane open.  My last flight had 11 across with no open seats.  A bit of a difference. 
I made it home by 7pm which was 3am in Paris.  I stayed up for a couple hours to try to get back to central time.  I had such a fantastic time on my entire trip.
London, Oxford, Stratford-Upon-Avon, York, Hardrian's Wall

Scottish Border, Edinburgh

Edinburgh Military Tattoo, Edinburgh

Glasgow, Loch Lommond, Belfast, Giant's Causeway, Aran Islands, Galway, Cliffs of Moher, Killarney, Blarney Castle, Rock at Cashel

Dublin, Llangollen, Cardiff, Bath

Bath, Stonehenge, London

London

London

Versailles

Disneyland Paris

Paris

Paris

I hope that I get to have an experience like this again in my lifetime.

2012 A Year of Finishing Projects

As far as finishing projects 2012 was a good year.

Valentine's day Pillow

Kindle case version 1, 2, and 3  

T- shirt quilt.  There is not a lot of progress on this project.

Disney is always an inspiration.  I made a couple ornaments, got some fabric signed for future projects and made a travel wallet for my adventures into the park.

I went to Walt Disney World 3 times within 2012.  I even saw Disneyland Paris' castle at Walt Disney World that I would later see in person.

I left Disneyland but not before getting some photos with the Fab 5!

I traveled 1650 miles back to Kansas City.

I caught onto the embroidery hoop craze and made Disneyland Railroad, Kansas Sunflower and the 1912 Jayhawk.

I went all around KC when I got back.  I went to Union Station, the Overland Park arboretum and Royals games.

I started and actually finished a queen size quilt within the same year!

I bought some books, tore them apart and made many different, wonderful things from them.

I love making all those paper flowers!

And coasters!

After moving home and taking time off I went on the biggest adventure of my life.  I went to Europe for 3 1/2 weeks.  What an amazing time.

I started in London during the break between the Olympics and Paralympics.  When I came back to London after my two week bus tour the Paralympics were in full swing.

Kensington Palace gardens and grounds were beautiful.

I got super lost in York.

Crossed an international border without feeling like it.

Went to the Edinburgh Military Tattoo.

Found some ruins at the base of Arthur's Seat.

Visited Loch Lomond.

Climbed the steps the Giant's Causeway

Walked around the Aran Islands.

Went to the Cliffs of Moher.

I made more paper roses but this time out of Disneyland Maps.

I finished my grandfather's fall quilt.  It is one of my favorite quilts I've made.

I made some ornaments.  My annual ornament with paper cranes.  And I made some ornaments from wedding bouquets that both couples loved.

And after about 10 years sitting in a tin I found something to make from my paper cranes.  Christmas tree garland made from candy wrappers.  Pretty awesome.

And my brother and wife's quilt.  It only took me about a year and a half to finish but it is done now!