Working in news, I'm usually lucky to see my family once or twice a year. I see my friends less than that. When my dad retired from the Air Force, we ended up in Alabama. All of my family and friends are still in the south east and I keep moving further west.

So 2012 is turning out to be a banner year on that front. I just got to spend two weeks with my parents and am heading off to Dallas this afternoon for a reunion of sorts with some of my best friends.

My parents came down at the end of July and we had a great trip. I begged for help on this blog. I needed help planning fun things for us to do around Kansas. Thank you to everyone who offered up suggestions!

We did a lot in the short time they were here. My personal favorite was Tanganyika Wildlife Park. I like any place where I'm allowed to pet the animals, especially when those animals are lemurs and kangaroos.

We also went to Lindsborg and Coronado Heights. I was reading up on Coronado on the way there, the article actually said it was named after Francisco Vasquez de Coronado, who visited central Kansas in 1541. I read it as, it was built by Coronado when he visited central Kansas in 1541. My first thought when we got there was, “Wow, they have really kept up with this place.” I was wrong. It was built in the 1930's. And my parents felt like they wasted their money on my college education.

My dad's favorite part of the trip was the Hutchinson Salt Museum. My mom is extremely claustrophobic and refused to go 650 feet underground with us. Being underground was fine. Even the awkward elevator ride in complete darkness, pressed up against 11 strangers was no big deal. I did however start to worry during the safety video. They were explaining how in the case of an emergency you press the respirator they've given you to your mouth. They said “if your mouth and tongue start burning, it means it's working.” Lovely.

The museum was great though. My dad had a great time and I loved seeing all the Hollywood memorabilia stored down there.

My parents both lived in Wichita in the 80's and said the city has changed drastically since then, for the better. They had a great trip and I just loved being with them.

And now in just a few hours, I will hit the road and see friends I haven't seen in two years. I'm feeling pretty lucky right now, not sure I could ask for more.