A layover in Kansas City

Left and center, The morning southbound Jefferson Lines bus was due to leave at 4:10 am, but the station doesn’t open until 4. Fortunately the station agent bicycled in to work about 20 minutes to 4, making baggage checking prior to boarding easy peasy. The KC Streetcar approaches Library on Main stop, right.

Left, Roses and crosswalks. Center, interior of the Freight House Pedestrian Bridge. Spinning orb artwork located behind the Freight House, right.

Left, A model train exhibit at Union Station is closed. Augh! Washington Square Park, right, is a spot of green across the streets from Union Station to the west and Crown Center to the south. With any large city, urban parks offer a refuge for the homeless and less fortunate to rest. This park is no exception.

Left, The signage outside Afterword Tavern & Shelves on the corner of E. 19th & Grand lured me inside, while the hospitality of the staff kept me around for several much needed drinks. Center, Chocolate Coffee Stout from Mark Twain Brewery of Hannibal, Mo. Enticing aromas of roasted malt, coffee, chocolate. The flavor is aggressive with dark baking chocolate bitterness and some roasted malt with a dry acidic coffee finish. 5.3% ABV, 19 IBU. A delicious iced Lemon Soufflé Rooibos from Anna Marie's Teas of Liberty, Mo., right. Fragrant of honeybush with a lightly sweet flavor that's lemon forward after the wash of rich, full bodied rooibos.

Left, Union Pacific represents in neon at Union Station. Right, the small, overly-lit Amtrak waiting room.