Finally Got My Tripod! Here are photos of the Plaza Lights on the Country Club Plaza in Kansas City - as promised. Enjoy!
As you know, I have been needing a tripod since Thanksgiving but with one thing and another have not gotten around to it until recently. So, finally, I can deliver the photos of the Plaza Lights on the Country Club Plaza in Kansas City - Yay!
On the right, we are looking west from the Pan Fountain. Some of the snow has melted as it got up to 35 degrees Farenheit today. We had intermittent drizzle which will freeze as the temp drops into the teens tonight.
I started at 5pm this evening and finished just before 11pm so you can see the progression. To the left is the tower by Cheesecake Factory. Swanson's used to occupy this space.
In the 1990's many chain stores were allowed into the Plaza for financial reasons. There are around 180 shops plus dozens of restaurants in the 15 block area. In addition to shops, bars and restaurants, there are many offices and condos so this is a vibrant community.
The great thing about a cloudy day is being able to see the lights as well as the tile work and other architectural details that I love.
JC Nichols developed the Country Club Plaza in the 1920's after a trip to Europe. The architecture of Seville, Spain made such an impression upon him that he caused this entire area to be builtin that style.
Starbucks is in the middle of the Plaza; Latte Land is on the west end. 
There were at least 10 horse drawn carriages on the Plaza tonight; this one is round like Cinderella's pumpkin coach.
Okay, now that it's really dark and cloudy, the lights become magical!
Here we are on the south side of Brush Creek looking northeast onto the Country Club Plaza. The twin towers in the background belong to American Century. The Intercontinental Hotel lives on the south side as does Wornall Plaza Condos, The Hemingway, The Sulgrave Regency, Kirkwood, and several others. The Kansas City Public Library - Plaza Branch is also located on this side of Brush Creek, a few blocks east from where we are standing.
I moved down about 100 feet to get around some trees. We are still on the south side of Brush Creek but now we are looking northwest onto the Plaza.
This is one of the "money shots" seen on postcards and travel brochures. Beautiful, but let's get a little closer.
This is one of my favorite buildings on the Plaza. I love the bells at the top and the scrollwork and the lanterns.
This is 48th St. I love this street because it feels like one of the short little streets in Dublin. My office is just around the corner up ahead. All of the buildings on this block are short so the sun can come in and the brick work is especially nice on all of these buildings.
Here's another horse drawn carriage moving faster than my shutter.
Now we are on the eastern edge of the Plaza. You can see one of the horse statues in the JC Nichols Fountain in the foreground.
This is one of the favored spots for jazz musicians in summer.
Lights on Nichols Rd.
Courtyard with Lady Fountain beside Eddie Bauer.
From the east side of Mill Creek Park. The snow was taller than my boots!
Walking around the Country Club Plaza is one of my favorite things to do in Kansas City.
There are many levels to the Plaza. Here we are on the north side by Valencia Plaza. To reach the street below, we need to descend two levels.
Looking west down 47th St.
Looking east down 47th Street.
Intersection at Wornall, Wyandotte and 46th Terrace.
It was very difficult to pick only a few of the 200+ photos; I do hope that the ones chosen have given you a feel for the magic that exists as one strolls through the streets of the Country Club Plaza in Kansas City.
Thank you for stopping by! I hope you enjoyed the show!
All photos taken by Maria Morton using a Fuji Fine Pix E550 on 30 December 2009. All rights reserved. Please do not use or copy without express written persmission. Thank you!
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