After the beer run in Overland Park, things got interesting. I originally booked a room at the Hilton Garden Inn in Kansas City, Kansas, figuring I’d try a different location and a different brand. There is a very nice HGI I near Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport I stayed at most of the time in 2005 when I visited the city. It was easy access from US 61 when I was coming back from a Delgado Community College baseball trip, and it was in an area without a lot of traffic.

This time, choosing something other than one of the many Marriott properties i have frequented through the years in Kansas City was a mistake. The hotel fronted the street, and all of the parking was in a garage behind the hotel, which wiould have meant a pain in the butt to get validated each time I wanted to go in and out. Also, I felt a little out of place for another reason, one which I will not mention.

Fortunately for me, it was a little after 2, and I had time to make a swift change. Coincidentally, I took US 169 north across the Missouri River, which brought me right pas the Courtyard Briarcliff. Since I was going to be able to stay only one night, I said not this time, but I”m certain to be back there very soon.

The Courtyard near KCI Airport off Tiffany Springs Parkway became an attractive option. I had complained about it in the past, but since it was for one night, and so close to Buffalo Wild Wings, I figured why not.

I’ve been at Buffalo Wild Wings since 3:30. Pretty quiet, even though the Royals play at 7 and the Steelers-Ravens game kicks off at 7:25. Liz usually doesn’t work Thursday, and although Lisa usually does, she is not here tonight. A lot of faces I didn’t see the past couple of weekends are here, and Brittany Mathenia-Tucker is serving me, which is wonderful.

Since I need only five minutes to drive back to the hotel, I can stay later. But I would like to get up early tomorrow and drive to Overland Park so I can be there when Morse-McCarthy Chevy opens.