Korch and I hustled to the game. I was checking Instagram between innings and noticed that the one person I know in Kansas City, my friend Chris Renn, posted a shot from the ballpark. I immediately commented on his pic and sent him a Facebook message. Korchnak, who loves a good puzzle, decided to try to triangulate his location based on the photo. I walked up behind him and creepily announced my presence. I haven't seen Chris since Parlour played with Chris' band Up the Empire at Lit Lounge in Manhattan in January of 2004. Chris is from Louisville, but studied at Kansas City Art Institute and decided to move back and now is happily married with child (-ren soon). He works at a local casino repairing slot machines and builds guitar pedals as his hobby/passion. Needless to say it was a joyful hangout and watching the game took a backseat to catching up. This guy!
Otherwise, it was a great day. The National Great Rivers Museum was exceptional. I really enjoyed the interactivity of the museum. In particular, the barge piloting simulation that I did pretty well at, if I do say so myself. Just outside the back doors were some locks much like the McAlpine Locks that I bike to in downtown Louisville occasionally. From there we hustled for a brief muggy day hike in the Big Muddy National Fish and Wildlife Refuge outside of Columbia, MO. There we finally were able to get up close to the Missouri River. There was an old rusty barge that was upended that looked like a red sand bank from a distance. As we approached the river we even spotted maybe a dozen Bottom Hop Quails that scattered in a panic on the high grass path. It was nice to get out in some nature, but we're trying to savor our fleabag hotel before we really get into the more outdoor portion of the trip.