Daniel told me that there was an Evel Knievel Museum in Topeka, KS, but it was being relocated to Las Vegas in a month. I had to go see it. Luckily the kids had a day off from school so we headed west. It's a little over an hour away and so worth the trip. As I knew this would be the only time we would get to visit I made sure we did the virtual jump. I am so glad I got our tickets online. Their card system was down due to construction in the street. The museum was inside a historic Harley-Davidson restoration store. The store is relocating too. The kids had no idea who Evel Knievel was when we went, but as soon as we entered they began to realize why I was so excited to introduce them to his legacy.
The restoration of his rig, "Big Red" was a true labor of love bringing associates, friends, and admirers together to restore his home away from home.
The VR ride was so fun! When the museum was being set up initially, they hired a stunt rider and put gopros all over his helmet. They set up a jump in front of the Topeka Captial building. There was a crowd and you could hear the cheers, and feel the vibrations and wind. It was so amazing. You could look around and see everything. Devon went first, then Henry. Emily was a little apprehensive, so she had Charles go next.
She finally decided to go for it and immediately asked if she could go again!
Teddy was too little, but they let us put him on the bike for photos.
Poor Lizzy had to take her glasses off for the headset so she was riding blind. I don't think that she really could see much.
She looks good on a bike.
Charles really wanted an Evel Knievel playing card deck, but settled for a pic of the real one and a Harley-Davidson one to take home. Lizzy collects pins so she found one she liked and I got the heat-changing mug to remember our excursion. Everyone got stickers too. There was a little display downstairs about Harley-Davidson where they had some cool older bikes.
I was hoping to eat at the diner there, but they closed at 2, so we just missed them. I Googled a place to eat, and The Fat Shack came up with rave reviews. The kids loved the burgers and shakes. Lizzy ordered the Philly cheese steak, thinking that she would get a steak, so she was understandably disappointed when she unwrapped her sandwich. (I think the milkshake helped.) The place was empty, but the staff was so nice. Turns out they are a chain and there's one in KC. We'll have to check it out and see if it is as good. Charles kept raving about the hamburger and even finished off Henry's!
It was a fun day and the kids added more stickers to their adventure books. Traffic coming home was horrible, but all in all, I am so glad we went. Emily kept saying "Now I know why you were so excited to bring us here!" I call that a win.
