Unfettered Letters

In praise of train travel

C.W. Gusewelle writes about the experience of riding a train from Kansas City to New York (4/5, Local). There are not many families today who have the time away from work or the money to take a long-distance train trip. Oh, it can be done, but not nearly as easily as it could 50 years ago.

He is right that we the people should hold President Obama to his pledge to fund Amtrak so train travel frequency and efficiency are improved.

Gusewelle’s article was timely for me because I just finished a wonderful vacation utilizing Spanish, French and Italian train services. Each train we rode proved to be an added holiday adventure of meeting and getting to know fellow travelers from around the world. Plus my wife, Annie, and I saw sights not available to see from an airplane or a car speeding down an interstate highway.

Our four days on eight trains were comfortable and relaxing, and we didn’t have to stop and wait on freight trains like Amtrak has to do here in the Midwest.

A few more train travel stories like Gusewelle’s might move our state and federal governments to properly fund passenger service expansion.

Charles D. Jones
Overland Park

‘Green flash’ is real

C.W. Gusewelle seems not to believe in the green flash (3/1, Local, “‘Green flash’ is a Gulf Coast curiosity”). However, my husband and I have seen it twice from Maui, Hawaii. Having heard of this we watched for it several times with others and did see it on two different nights. Others did, also.
You have to have everything right. And you have to not blink your eyes when it happens, for it is just a green flash! Often a cloud will suddenly appear as the sun sets on the horizon, and then it is not possible to see it.
We have never seen it anywhere else, but I am sure there may be other places.
Nancy Reed
St. Joseph

Globe-trotting politicians

I read in The Star where a congressional delegation of 13 lawmakers, plus spouses, aides, staffers and the necessary military escorts, were going on a fact-finding mission to Europe to study NATO (2/15, A-2, “The Buzz”). This includes Reps. Dennis Moore of Kansas and JoAnn Emerson of Missouri. So, it’s kind of amusing to watch our congressional representatives sputter in indignation and outrage at CEOs and their bonuses and trips to lavish spas on their corporate jets. The arrogance!

But, of course, after spending several days passing a stimulus bill — oh boy, what a job that was — they are now entitled to take a nine-day vacation, oops, I meant “fact-finding mission” on special Air Force jets to Paris, Vienna and the ski resort at Garmisch-Partenkirchen to study NATO?

Of course this is an important spending of taxpayer dollars. We absolutely need to know more about NATO, and it’s also vitally important for their spouses to know about NATO, too.

It’s not like there’s anything going on around here that needs their attention.

Charley Hutto
Kansas City

I see where 13 lawmakers plus spouses, staffers and military escorts went on a trip to Europe — in a military jet, no less — with the excuse that this is an important use of taxpayer funds. I was really disappointed that Dennis Moore was one of those. This takes a lot of nerve, considering the economy.

Was this another hidden portion of the stimulus package? How much is this going to cost us? We have people who do not have enough money to go to the store for food, let alone to Europe for pleasure.

Where is the “change” we were promised?

Ann Smiley
Overland Park

Next time some congressmen want to go on a “fact-finding mission,” send them to some inner cities in this country with overnight accommodations at the Salvation Army.

Marie Watson
Prairie Village

Capitol Visitor Center a colossal waste

Let me get this straight: $621 million divided by 580,000 thousand square feet equals $1,070.68 per square foot to build the Capitol Visitor Center in Washington (12/26, A-1). This is a gross waste of taxpayer money.

How much was used from contractors who made political contributions to members of Congress? Again, the people of America got ripped off by the bailouts of Wall Street, the auto industry and banks, and pork.

Wake up, America. Spending is out of control, and you and I are suffering the most.

Joe Parizek
Overland Park

Moose burgers or pork?

After reading the Associated Press report (10/22, A-7) on how Gov. Sarah Palin charged the state of Alaska for her children’s travel, it’s very clear that Gov Palin knows all about using government money for personal goals. How is this different from earmarks and pork?

How is she going to clean up Washington and shame the overpaid CEOs if she’s one of them? She is a fast learner. I’ll give her that much.

John McCain says he’s proud of his running mate. He continues to defend his choice. Same old politics.

S.E. Miller
Blue Springs

Canadians feel welcome in KC

Three of us were in Kansas City recently for the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials-International conference. That Sunday evening, two of us were walking in the Plaza district looking for a restaurant. We had just spent the day traveling — doing the flight, connection and shuttle thing — and we were hungry.

We were standing on the corner, reading a map and a tourism brochure and trying to decide on a restaurant when a very nice young man, who had just passed us, turned around and asked if he could help us.

He took us on a walking tour of the Plaza, pointing out the different restaurants and shops, and gave us suggestions for dinner. He also provided us with a bit of history and some “must see” attractions.

After about 15 minutes he pointed us to a very nice restaurant and went on his way. We were impressed that this gentleman would take the time to help total strangers and to speak so proudly of Kansas City. What a wonderful introduction to your city.

Ron Lord and Laura Phillips
Guelph, Ontario, Canada

DVDs on family vacations

Kim Hays (6/30, FYI,”Kids and travel: A survival guide”) suggested that those vacationing by car should invest in a portable DVD player. I couldn’t disagree more.

My family has been taking long car trips (10-plus hours) since I was three weeks old, all without a DVD player. My siblings and I bonded while playing games such as the license plate game and the billboard ABC’s game. I feel like I am a better person for it.

Several years ago we were visiting Yellowstone. After a full day of seeing fabulous sights, we went to dinner. When we asked a young child near us what they had seen that day, the reply was “.‘Finding Nemo,’ ‘Little Mermaid’ ...” What a pity! This child was oblivious to the wonderful scenery and sights of such a unique area.

Members of this generation are learning nothing if they don’t pay attention to the world around them. DVD players are not the answer. By the way, I am 17 years old.

Angela Holstedt
Kansas City

Slow ride on the Mighty Mo

I read with amusement and bemusement the article on solitude with nature by slowing down with 225 race participants, all hoping to complete 340 miles on the Missouri River (7/14, FYI, “Race on the water: Missouri River 340 will test the mettle of kayakers and canoers in timed event”). The article reminded me of our adventure in 1981 when my spouse, Linda, and I traveled the same distance using a six-man raft.

With no GPS, we were able to know the distance to our next town by using our Army Corp of Engineers’ detailed map of the river. It gave every minute detail of the river including towns, pipelines, overhead lines, channel markers, bridges and boat ramps with mileage indicators.

During our breakneck pace of 3.4 miles per hour we finished our sack of books, got a heck of a tan, became familiar with barges that passed us more than once and met many people along the way who told us we were living their fantasy.

No, it’s not just like Lewis and Clark, but it’s “a personal voyage of discovery.”

Marcus D. Dowty
Kansas City

Missouri’s scenic byways

As The Star points out, Kansas’ scenic byways offer exceptional experiences that can make for an affordable and memorable summer vacation (6/25, Opinion, “A double blow to tourism”).

As the chair of the Missouri Scenic Byways Advisory Committee, I encourage area residents to also travel Missouri Scenic Byways. Part of the national byways program, Missouri’s byways offer outstanding examples of the Show-Me State’s scenery, history and culture and are sure to leave a lasting impression for people of all ages.

And most of the state’s 10 scenic byways are within a one-tank trip of Kansas City. Lafayette County’s historic Old Trails and Santa Fe Trail byways, for example, are just an hour’s drive away. Other options include the scenic Ozark Mountain Parkway on the way to Branson, the geographically unique Crowley’s Ridge National Scenic Byway in the Bootheel, and, once the floodwaters recede, the Little Dixie National Scenic Byway between the charming Mississippi River communities of Clarksville and Louisiana.

For those seeking the best of Missouri heritage tourism, Missouri’s byways are sure to please.

John Regenbogen
Executive director, Scenic Missouri
St. Louis

Brit’s happy holiday in KC

I have just spent my first vacation in the United States — a week in Blue Springs and Kansas visiting family. I have to say it was one of the best holidays ever, and not just because of my great family.

The people of Kansas and Missouri should be proud. I experienced nothing but genuine friendliness and politeness that is unrivaled in all the countries I have been in for the last 10 years.

I became addicted to baseball when seeing the Royals play the Giants and was amazed at what a family affair it is for everyone to go to the game. More than 34,000 people and not a word of dissent from anyone (and we lost)!

What a great state you have I will definitely be back. Missouri and Kansas, you rock!

Jo Adams
Furzehill, Dorset, England