The Scenic Route

Or, Why Mapquest (edit; correction: Google Maps) Really Isn't That Useful

Mapquest doesn't know when a street is closed. Donald and I went to the Sears Repair Center on Front St. to turn in our microwave. We thought we'd go a non-highway way, because the highway directions seemed convoluted. Well, the street we intended to take was closed for construction. (The devil you say, there's no construction in Kansas City!1!!) So we drove around the historic northeast area for about 20 minutes, enjoying the scenic and very windy Cliff Drive and driving past the Kansas City Museum, twice, until we gave up and got out a map. Once we'd determined that there was no friggin' way to get there without getting on 35, we went back the way we'd already been. We got on 35 and took it to Front St, where we successfuly avoided the piles of old tires lying in wait on the side of the road and arrived at Sears. They took our microwave, and told us it would be ready the 3rd of October.

Whaat?? It takes 2 weeks for Sears to pony up a functioning microwave?? Any other store would just take it back and give you another one. We got home quickly, taking 35 to 71 south. And so ends the tale of the Microwave and the Closed Street in Historic Northeast Kansas City.