Visual Traveler & Chocolate Blog

​It has been 15 years since renowned architect, Moshe Safdie, addressed local media inside the recently completed Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts - his latest architectural marvel. And I considered myself extremely fortunate to be part of that group as local philanthropist, Julia Irene Dennie-Kauffman, introduced him. For Safdie and Dennie-Kauffman, this grand opening marked the culmination of a years-long project that began with a napkin sketch. 

Every one of us felt awestruck by the four-level expanse of glass walls anchored by pre-cast concrete and stainless steel, inside the Brandmeyer Great Hall, which functions as a stunning lobby for the building. Vast, gorgeous skyline views were part of the visual package too.  

Home to three performing arts groups - the Kansas City Ballet, Lyric Opera of Kansas City, and the Kansas City Symphony - this amazing building houses the Muriel Kauffman Theatre and Helzberg Hall amid 285,000 total square feet. The in-house Founder's Lounge restaurant is known for beautiful skyline views and  delicious, gorgeous meals, from ceviche and salads to braised lamb and lobster pasta. Small plates are also available.

During our most recent visit we savored a glass of wine from a bustling, free-standing refreshment station, before a terrific concert with guest vocalists and musicians, and orchestra members, playing Billy Joel and Elton John music. Big fans of merging contemporary music with symphonic expertise, we loved a Queen-inspired concert, the previous spring.

But these are just a few programs at the Kauffman Center, which offers a wide variety of options to suit every taste. Go, for a performance that sparks your interest, and marvel at your breathtaking surroundings!

​Disclaimer: As a travel writer I may receive complimentary stays, admissions, meals, transportation, and, occasionally, products I am asked to review. However, I make every effort to report my experiences fairly and honestly.

​Please note some of these photos are older. While they reflected the character of this facility during my visits, specific details may have changed.

The vibrant color palette of this gorgeous green jay immediately captivated me during multiple bird watching activities our travel group enjoyed in and near McAllen, Texas. Typically found in southern Texas, Mexico, and northern Central America, this unusual breed simultaneously displayed several of my all-time favorite colors!

I first encountered this fellow at Quinta Mazatlán - one of nine World Birding Centers sprinkled across the southern part of the state. It's also where our group saw a subtropical brown bird with a whimsical name - chachalaca (cha-cha-LAH-ca) - that echoes its signature 'call.' 

Marcia and Jason Matthews owned the gorgeous 1935 Quinta Mazatlán adobe mansion that greets current guests, for nearly three decades. After housing the Matthews family and then standing vacant for a time, Marilyn and Frank Schultz purchased and owned the home until this World Birding Center opened during 2006.

At other World Birding Centers seagulls soared overhead, and a trio of ducks rested atop partially submerged logs. Occupying 40 acres inside an Edinburg park since 2003, Edinburg Scenic Wetlands & World Birding Center was the first of nine Centers to open. Two-and-a-half miles of walking trails intersect gardens and ponds teaming with wildlife, while seven viewing docks facilitate observing them. A large butterfly habitat and various water features are several other 'draws.' 

At Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park, more than 350 bird species have been sighted since its 1962 opening. Multiple trails, viewing stations, and tram tours are available, too. A two-story, wheelchair-accessible tower offers a 360-degree panorama and bilingual exhibits provide bird education. 

Estero Llano Grande State Park offers the largest wetlands environment and some of the most diverse habitats amid valley parks. There's also a large, covered deck with wetlands views and five butterfly gardens, plus multiple ponds, two observation decks, and levee access overlooking the Llano Grande channel.

And this is only for starters. Five additional World Birding Centers in Texas also welcome visitors. Bird lovers - grab your cameras and plan a trip to this avian paradise. You'll cherish every minute!

From the moment I reached the front door, artistry was evident wherever I looked, at The Red Barn Studio Museum, in 'Little Sweden USA' - better known as Lindsborg. One of my favorite places in this small Kansas town, it's full of artist, Lester Raymer's endlessly creative projects across multiple mediums. I especially loved his three dimensional pieces, from a bowl of carved fruit to a massive hanging quilt full of smiling suns and delicate tin hanging snowflakes.

I also appreciate that Raymer was 'The Ultimate Recycler (see slideshow, below),' who often transformed discarded and/or uninteresting items into magnificent pieces of art. His prolific creative endeavors included paintings and prints to ceramics and metalwork. He carved wood and crafted furniture, and also created gorgeous stitchery and jewelry. Spanish and Italian master painters, Southwest and Mexican influences, and folk art all played important roles in his endless sources of inspiration.

A painter and printmaker after studies at the Chicago Art Institute, Raymer also created painted boxes, candlesticks, and other decorative pieces. In addition, toys that he handcrafted for his wife, Ramona, each Christmas, resulted in 56 gifts that spanned three decades. 

​The Red Barn Studio Museum radiates the joy of creation from floor to ceiling, in every room. Be sure to schedule tour time here during your next Lindsborg visit! Admission is free but donations are encouraged.

Last week, I spent an afternoon exploring the demise of RMS Titanic through the traveling exhibit at Kansas City, Missouri's Union Station: Titanic, An Immersive Voyage. 114 years after the massive ship struck an iceberg and quickly sank, its story still fascinates people. Through the course of its travels, the exhibit will have operated in nearly a dozen cities, internationally.

A photo of a water-filled hallway resembled a scene from the 1997 Titanic movie. A fully equipped, antique relay room recalled frantic attempts by ship staff to receive help following the crash. A massive wall depicting the ship's exterior stated that a first class ticket would cost $57,200 today. I walked across a debris laden 'beach' with a clear view of the sinking ship and admired an intact Grand Staircase entrance panel. An amazingly realistic representation of that staircase, and a dimly lit wheelhouse also captivated me. And this was just for starters.

From the Grand Staircase to gilt woodwork and brocade upholstery, both of these museums offered a remarkable portrayal of the ship during my visits. Each museum showcases artifacts inside a replica of the sunken vessel. Longtime L.A. documentary producer, John Joslyn, co-led a $6 million expedition to the site and later toured across the U.S. and Europe with his collection of authentic artifacts.

When he tired of these travels, Joslyn and his wife, Mary Kellogg-Joslyn (previously an Executive Vice President of television for Walt Disney Company) opened Titanic Branson in 2006. Titanic Pigeon Forge followed four years later. Today, World Choice Investments (parent company of Dolly's Stampede) owns and operates these remarkable museums.

During tours at either location, visitors learn fascinating information such as that it took three years to build the ship in Ireland and only five days from departure to its demise. Crystal chandeliers in first class bore the Waterford name, five Steinway pianos occupied Titanic, and the ship served 6,000-10,000 meals per day. We learned language problems alone likely caused the demise of 1/3 of 3rd class passengers, and today's Pigeon Forge museum displays 400+ artifacts valued at more than $4 million. 

For people who - like me - are completely intrigued by the Titanic story, a trip to one of these museums is a must-do!​

Disclaimer: As a travel writer I may receive complimentary stays, admissions, meals, transportation, and, occasionally, products I am asked to review. However, I make every effort to report my experiences fairly and honestly.

​Please note these photos are several years old. While they reflected the character of Titanic Pigeon Forge during my visit, specific details may have changed.

Opened in 1937, Wichita, Kansas's iconic Nifty Nut House offers more than 4,000 tasty treat options. And that's before adding in holiday-specific 'extras'!

The wildly popular snack destination's newer building is full of light, with floor-to-ceiling shelves along every wall. House-roasted nuts that fill display cases near the center of the room include fancy mixed combos. Prepare to spend as much as an hour to take in this dizzying array of goodies. You might even find fond childhood memories resurfacing!

But don't let your tour among all these sweet and salty snacks sidetrack you from viewing 1,000 gumball machines displayed high along the wall. Owner and "head nut" at Nifty Nut House, Steve Jahn, has collected them for more than three decades. During one of my visits, local handmade pinatas also decorated the room.

Want another reason to check out the Nifty Nut House during your next Wichita visit? Food Network personality, Alton Brown, even called this amazing snack destination "a national treasure," after his visit.