Chicago-Indiana-Michigan, episode 10. In which Mari collects and Lou craves.

Mari's the original collector in our family, with inherited bargaining and collector's eye skills from her mom who is an expert shopper-gatherer-reseller and purveyor of all things rooster (starting to rub off on me and the former empty space in my kitchen).  I think my spirit of collecting adventure has rubbed off on Mari, though, and she's amassed quite a few collections herself over the years and over the miles, but ask her about her absolute favorite and I always know how she'll respond.  There's a long story (don't you realize by now, dear reader, there's always a long story when it comes to collectibles?) about how-when-why-where my wife began collecting hand-crafted celluloid pins by Lea Stein.  We'll save that for another day when I return to one of our first and favorite antique-slash-fleamarkets.
  

Inside the hallways at Randolph Street, Mari met another kindred spirit jewelry collector with a glitteringly wide array of vintage pins, earrings, and necklaces.  It was among the vivid display of pins that Mari discovered a few authentic (lots of copycats out there) pins by a favorite designer.  Pictured here is Mari's find for the day.  Prior to Randolph Street, Mari had only collected the Lea Stein cat pins (don't worry--will be featured in our upcoming adventure), but she's always had a special place in her heart for lady bugs.

We eagerly anticipate a return end-of-the-month visit to Randolph Street because it was a uniquely enjoyable experience teaming with friendly resellers, knowledgeable collectors, and fun casual shoppers (hey, that's us!) alike.  The collectibles both precious and practical as well as kitschy and cool.  All kidding (and complaining) aside, do be careful about traveling with collectibles by air.  Look your items over carefully and consider how non-collectors may view them.  Too large?  heavy?  pointy?  (Too club-like in appearance?!)  It's not just a matter of protecting your investment or your collectible, but about traveling safely and stress-free.

I may be finished (momentarily) strolling down collectible-memory lane in one of my favorite parts of the country, but Mari and I weren't quite ready to head home from Chicago-Indiana-Michigan just yet.  Like our trip home from Nashville after our amazing 127sale adventure, we planned a bit of a detour again:  an overnight foodie visit to Kansas City, Missouri.

Long story short (I will TRY, promise).  Mari had traveled to Kansas City annually every June to participate in the College Board's annual "reading" and grading of Advanced Placement Psychology exams.  During her five annual visits, Mari got to know Kansas City pretty well, particularly the restaurants she and her colleagues enthusiastically enjoyed after daily immersion in teen-interpreted psychological theory.  Two restaurants in particular made their way onto Mari's "must" list every summer and were often the subject of her nightly calls home.  Lidia's (Bastianich) Kansas City and Jack Stack Barbecue, both conveniently located at either end of the Freight House on West 22nd, were within walking distance (long walk to work off the calories) of the staff hotel and are well worth a visit, even a layover visit.

lidias-kc.com

jackstackbbq.com

For years Mari repeatedly raved ravenously over Lidia's Pasta Trio (unlimited, fresh, served tableside)

yes, yes, and yes, please

and Jack Stack's brisket burnt ends.  Despite my multiple annual requests for a smokily savory sample of Tupperware-transported burnt ends, my taste buds remained repeatedly unfulfilled. How could I fly over Kansas City from Chicago without making a (BBQ) pit stop?  So stop we did.

An overnight layover, including dinner reservations at Lidia's and (no reservations necessary) lunch at Jack Stack before catching a late afternoon Texas-bound flight (a careful reshuffling of collectibles providing a stress-free, second-checked-bag-fee-free return trip), was only a few keyboard shortcuts from Lou's Travel Services away.

I can now join Mari's ravenous raves without prejudice.

During her June fortnights in Kansas City, Mari also discovered an annual weekend (second weekend in June) antique festival which she highly recommends at the Crown Center.  While Mari kept mostly to easily transportable collectibles of the shiny and glittery variety, she did surprise me with a camera for my collection one year and would always long for the beautifully unique antique furniture on display.

Visit the site for event details, photos, and a calendar of all upcoming events.

crowncenter.com/Event-List/antique-festival

You never need look very far when it comes to collecting.  Being in the right place (a garage sale down the street or a TSA-tussled, list-planned, multi-city itinerary away) at the right time (planned or unplanned) is all it takes to bring you closer to that collectible you never knew you needed that has been waiting for your discovery (or re-discovery) all this time.  Fasten your seat belts and grab lots of bubble wrap for a lengthy trip across the pond next time for some favorite old cities, photogenically fabulous landmarks, tempting tasty treats, and fascinating fleamarket stories.

Because there's always a story.