I don't get out much, it's true

Coming home from the motorcycle show on Front Street, Cliff and I exited off I-435 onto 24 highway in Independence.

Now, normally, the farthest west we travel into Independence on 24 is Hub Cycle (a great place to shop, for all you motorcycle owners).

So I have to say we were in for a rude awakening when we got off I-435.

At the first two intersections we came to, there were vagrants begging for money. One held up a sign that said, "Homeless and Hungry".

With one hand he held up the sign. In the other hand, he held a cigarette he was smoking.

DUDE!!!! Maybe you're hungry because you spent your grocery money for ciggies?

Once we got past the beggers, we saw block after block of razed buildings and property for sale. I can't imagine anybody buying property in such a neighborhood.

What would Harry Truman think of his hometown now?

Oh, one bright spot. There's a McDonald's on 24 highway in Independence that gives you the biggest ice cream cones you've ever seen, for the same price all McDonald's charge. They have chocolate, vanilla, and twist flavors. I can never eat over half of mine; they make those ice cream cones THAT big!

Don't say I never gave you Kansas City folks a tip! I know ALL about fine dining.