Between stops in Oklahoma City and Omaha, we decided to stop in Kansas City for a little summer fun and a few of my favorite things: baseball, barbecue and bachelors.

My friend Ben who works for the Royals was generous enough to set aside tickets for the crew. I’ve become spoiled by years of great baseball seats, and these didn’t disappoint. “The K” underwent some renovations this offseason, and the place was rocking with a full house and a beautiful sunny day. I couldn’t think of a better way to spend a free day in a new town!

I’m definitely a White Sox fan, but (unless I’m at Yankee Stadium) I always root for the home team – so I was thrilled when the Royals pulled out a 3-1 victory over the Mariners. (Brett, a Mariners fan, was not as pleased. But you can’t win ‘em all, can you?) He was pleased, however, by all of the #5 Brett jerseys. It was as if the whole town was chanting his name!

Ben said we couldn’t leave Kansas City without having authentic barbecue – so we headed for Arthur Bryant’s BBQ, a KC favorite since the 1920s. It was totally authentic, gritty to the core and the kind of place I’d frequent for comfort food any time. From the street, it was completely unassuming and the inside was no different – crowded square tables with red vinyl chairs and a menu board over a small kitchen that, frankly, showed you more than you needed to see. But its charm and tradition won us over before we ordered, and by the first bite we were hooked. And full.

As we downed a one-pound beef sandwich, two pulled pork sandwiches on Wonder Bread, two orders of fries, baked beans, potato salad, two beers and a 32-ounce red cream soda, we came up with a few great lines that I couldn’t resist sharing:

“Let me get this straight. You won’t sleep in a dive, but you’ll eat in one?” – Glenn (to me)

“These sweet baked beans are good. They’ll probably give me diabetes, but they’re good.” – Brett

“That felt like Thanksgiving.” – yours truly

“We need to get out of here. I’m gonna hurt myself if I keep doing what I’m doing {eating nonstop}.” – Brett

“I’m gonna do an hour workout tomorrow.” – Brett. “I’ll be lucky if I’m alive tomorrow.” – Glenn

There was a group of guys at a table near us who gave Brett $20 to take a photo and email it to them – as it turned out, they were having a bachelor party. Awesome! I pointed out that if it had been a bachelorette party, there would be favors, feather boas and at LEAST eight cameras. But who am I to judge them for being unprepared?

At the end of the day, today was a great day in Kansas City! We agree that smaller towns like this are really calming … and we can’t wait to experience even more as the tour continues. On deck for tomorrow: the Jazz Museum and the Negro Leagues Hall of Fame for another great taste of Kansas City.