It feels like irreverence for this San Diego girl who grew up on the ocean to say that my favorite body of water……..is a river. The Midwest has an abundance of them. In Parkville Missouri, they have created miles of space along the river to amble, bike, picnic, and just sit and watch the river slide past. I was told by the locals that they often bring in bands at river’s edge. Music and a river! That sounds like the ambiance for a memorable day.
When I first moved to Kansas 6 years ago, I decided to embed myself in the culture by doing things common to the region. That led me to line dancing, contra dancing, and yes, square dancing, which is surprisingly difficult. There are almost 100 steps to be memorized and the caller sings them rapidly. I am often dancing at a running pace. It is exhilarating. I have come to greatly appreciate the celebration of music here.
I walked up the road to the historic district, and stopped at the Parkville Coffeeshop for my traditional Fall hot cocoa. I took it upstairs to the loft, and was met by the coolest setting. The decor is retro 60’s (?). I had a hard time choosing where to sit. Look at that old TV set and telephone. I thought about changing seats every few minutes just to enjoy absorbing the feel of the era so many decades past. It reminded me of the small beach enclave in San Diego — Ocean Beach, which is an allurement for hippies, gypsies, artists and musicians. It is a hamlet bursting with creativity. I began to wonder if Parkville could have that same, rare magnetic force for imaginative creators.
As I headed for the stairs, to descend from the loft, I discovered these aged airplane seats. I was overcome by sentimental thoughts. My mother had been a stewardess. I will sit in these chairs the next time I come and drink my cocoa, and smile over the delightful memories of my vibrant mother.
I walked the main road of the glorious historic district. These distinguished buildings are an honor to Parkville. The Farm House Collection is not only charming, but fascinating. I asked the staff about the history of this building. They regaled me with wonderful oral history, about underground tunnels and “George”, their friendly phantom. But for authenticated history, they referred me to the town’s excellently-created app, “Parkville Heritage Walks”. I never want my blog to rob you of your own discovery process, so I don’t go into detail of the full history of each town. I just lay down clues for where to find the information.
Next up the road is the Parkville Artisan’s Studio, where local craftware is sold and classes are offered. They have a huge variety of classes, including painting, jewelry-designing, stained glass, and multiple pottery wheels. Since creating opens the mind, I would be in here often to take many classes, if I lived nearby.
As I was exiting, I saw this sign “Bohemian Collection” on the shelf. I wondered if bohemian described the vibe of this town. It was close, but not exactly the right word. I started asking the locals, and I got descriptors like electric, classic, and typical hometown feel. None seemed to match the creative vibe I was sensing.
The vibe certainly heightened when I entered this boutique – The White Farmhouse Flowers & Gifts. What a wonderland of artistry. In 100 years, I could never craft the ambiance in this shop. I just wanted to stay and stay…. A picture cannot give you the “feel”. Someday I may start a vlog, so you can see these places in 360-degree detail. But it would be best if you could go to these towns in person.
Don’t miss the ceiling. It is historically pristine. Ceilings today are bland and nondescript, compared to these gilded beauties.
The Exchange offers local foods, supporting farms and businesses in both Kansas and Missouri. There is no fresher flavor than ingredients from nearby. What a treat for Parkville to have this store/restaurant.
It is one of the most beautiful buildings in town. Upstairs is an airbnb. I have always wanted to stay in one of the living spaces above a shop in an historic building. These are goldmines for those seeking the experience of a historic-themed vacation.
I went into Bentley Guitar Studios and chatted with them about the local music community. Some renowned musicians live in this town. It was exciting talking to those in the know. Come, pull up a chair here, and listen to them. It feels good to be in the center of a creating society. Music and art have the power to dramatically move and change lives. When I am listening to a live band, I wonder if they realize how strongly they are affecting us. I look around at the listeners and see them taken to a happy place. It is a relief from the roughness or mundaneness of their week. It is a gift to us.
I was getting hungry, so I decided to go to The Craic, as my Dad was Irish. Because of him, I always imagine the Irish to be lively and fun people. I tend to be that way myself, so I was thrilled to meet the sweet co-owner, Megan Martin. She is bright-spirited and quick to befriend. She told me they have live local bands on the weekends (yahoo!). I ordered the Golden Beet Salad, which was wonderful. I asked her about the history of her building, and she said the owner, Brian Mertz, found some relics while excavating around the foundation.
This is the topic of one of my future blogs: the ground holds history. I love to see people unearthing such intriguing finds.
I end my day at a repository, of course. If you had ancestors in this region, you could likely find them in the archives of the Parkville University Library. Or if you are a film maker or an author, these places house incredible historical documents, records and photographs. It is thrilling to hunt through their treasures. And please share what you find on Ancestry.com and/or FamilySearch.org.
I drove out of town, along the river. I never did decide on a term to describe the vibe I felt in Parkville. But I know it is a good one, because I will always feel drawn back. I must have a bit of creativity in me, as the artistic pull of Parkville has embedded in my heart.