St Louis vaca - Day 6

Final day of a fun time in and around St Louis! I am writing this from home. Just downloaded yesterday's photos and they are probably my favorites from the trip!

Started the day slowly. Had to write a paper for a math course (Developing Mathematical Practices for Number, Operations and Algebraic Reasoning Grades PreK-5) that I am taking and it was due today. Then I had to pack up all my stuff. I had a few options of things to do on the drive north to Chicago, but because of a somewhat late start I wasn't sure what I was going to do as I left the motel.

Forgot to mention earlier that the land between St Louis and Chicago is pretty flat and treeless, more so than I had expected. So I took a few pictures as I drove along. One nice thing was finding gas for $3.28/gallon. Decided I would push on to Joliet, so I would be close to Chicago when I took a photo break in case I encountered any traffic problems. And where did I get stuck in traffic? When I exited the highway in Joliet to go to Pilcher Park Nature Center - oops. Checked traffic with iPhone app and it was a big red line so I exited the clogged road as soon as I could to figure out Plan B. A reason I love solo traveling - I can do whatever I want.

I saw a trail that looked inviting, but there wasn't a parking area. Drove a little further and saw a sign for Lower Rock Run Preserve - a state/county park with access to the trail. Perfect. Sun was shining, breeze blowing, trail along a waterway with some shade, wildflowers. It was delightful. Spent a little over an hour strolling there with my camera before completing the drive north. Here are the pix from the preserve - bringing people and nature together.

It's under 6 hours from St Louis to Chicago. Traffic on the final leg wasn't bad, despite being between 5 and 6 pm. Gas to top off the tank cost $3.91. Rental car drop off was simple, shuttle bus was right there to get to the terminal. No one in line to check bags. Bit of a line at security, but I had plenty of time. Smooth flight back to Boston where Jon met me at the airport for the ride home. Home around midnight. Up bright and early for class this morning.

Thoroughly enjoyed this vacation! Special thanks go to Sean Quinn who unknowingly inspired me to head to St Louis. I have a Bucket List and seeing the Arch was on the list. Having Sean performing in Stages Theater's production of A Chorus Line gave me a reason to go this summer! Seeing him in 101 Dalmatians was an added bonus. Still places on my list of possibilities in St Louis that I would go back to see in the future. But had fun seeing Miller Park Zoo, The Arch, Faust Park & Butterfly House, World Bird Center, Grant's Trail, St Louis Zoo in Forest Park, Lower Rock Run Preserve, and Sean Quinn!

St Louis vaca - Day 5

5th day exploring St Louis. Woke up to rain and there must have been a lot of wind overnight because the furniture around the pool was blown up against the fence! I had a hard time deciding what to do because of the weather. I kept checking the radar and it finally looked like it was going to clear. I headed to Grant's Farm - forgot to double check and when I got there I discovered it's closed on Mondays - oops! I parked the car in a church parking lot and walked Grant's Trail which abuts the farm so I was still able to see the Clydesdales out in the field. The trail was lovely - paved for bikes and rollerblades. It was about 75º when I started my walk, the sun came out and the temperature soared! Ulysses S Grant Historical Site was along the trail so I stopped in there. The AC felt good and I enjoyed a drink of water. The historic barn had some great photo possibilities. Fortunately there was a breeze for most of the walk.
Here are the pix from Grant's Trail.
When I got back in the car the thermometer said it was 84º. So what to do next? I had heard good things about Forest Park so I decided to check it out. The entrance I found was right next to the St Louis Zoo entrance so I ended up spending the afternoon at the zoo. That meant another 3 hours of walking in the heat and humidity. Wish I had a pedometer so I knew how far I've walked on this vacation! The St Louis Zoo is very nice - Sean and I had discussed the fact that sometimes zoos can be depressing. Again some great opportunities for photography. One of my favorite spots was a building called Birds - inside there were enclosures for the various birds on display and there were plantings in front of the enclosures that enhanced the displays, plus it was all carpeted. The zoo is huge and even with all of their signs I found myself confused about where I was at times. If I hadn't been so hot and tired I might have explored more of Forest Park - I did make a quick stop at the World's Fair Pavilion on my way out.
Here are the pix of the zoo and the pavilion.
Now I need to do my homework assignment for the math course that I am taking that meets the morning after I return home!

St Louis vaca - Day 4

This was a quiet day for 2 good reasons - #1 is was hot hot hot and humid; #2 I saw Sean in 2 different shows at Stages Theater in Kirkwood! First there was the morning show of 101 Dalmatians - an adorable little kids show. Sean was the daddy dalmatian, Pongo. I sat in the front row and giggled at the site of him in this spotted costume. After that show I walked over to the park and sat on the bench where Sean had been sitting yesterday when I strolled by. I read on my Nook and took a few pix of ducklings - really my only photos of the day.
Click here to see the ducklings.
While I was sitting there one of the actors (Jeffrey Scott Stevens) jogged by and remembered meeting me at the Stages door after the puppy show :-)
Walked back over to the Stages theater to see A Chorus Line, with Sean in the role of Greg. It is a really strong cast. They have sold out most of their shows.
After the show Sean and I went out for lunch. It was nice to sit and talk with him for almost 2 hours. He'll be in St Louis until October - next show is The Secret Garden and then Victor, Victoria.
Back at the motel for the evening - thunderstorm and tornado warnings just scrolled across the TV screen - they do it by county which isn't very helpful if you're a tourist... Last night there were severe thunderstorms in the area.

St Louis vaca - Day 3

Day 3 in St Louis started of cloudy, hot and humid. Forecast said there was a chance of thunderstorms. Decided to head to Faust County Park and the Butterfly House because there was an indoor option. Strolled through the little historical village and enjoyed the gardens. Then went over to the Butterfly House - a conservatory with hundreds of butterflies. Super hot and humid in there! Lots of opportunity for photographs. I took a break half way through to go outside and 'cool off'. Here are the pix of my morning ~ Butterflies and more.
After that I headed to Kirkwood so I would be able to find the theater for the show tomorrow. It's located in Kirkwood Park - a rec area. When I got there the weather was looking threatening and I could hear thunder. Decided to take a quick walk around a little pond next to the parking lot - didn't want to get caught by the weather. Imagine my surprise and delight when half way around the pond I discover Sean sitting on a bench! Sean is one of the reasons I made this trip - he is acting in A Chorus Line - the show I will see tomorrow. I believe in kismet - something drew me to the park and there was Sean. We sat and talked until he had to go over tot he theater to get ready for this afternoon's show.
Thunder faded so I decided to try a visit to the World Bird Sanctuary. It started to rain as I drove to get there, kept going anyway. By the time I arrived the rain ended and the air seemed a little cooler and more comfortable. The sanctuary takes care of sick and injured raptors. There is a nature trail that takes you past enclosures that house some of the birds. It's all free too. Here are some of the birds that are there ~ World Bird Sanctuary.
One last thing - gas was $3.37/gallon when I filled the tank this morning.

St Louis vaca - Day 2

Today was all about The Arch. I found my way from the motel into the city without incident and found a parking lot that charged $1/hr. Walked towards the river so I could view and appreciate the mighty Mississippi - water level is very high and the water is very muddy! The water was over the banks and has flooded the lower roads - they had snow plows pushing back the water. That didn't make sense at first, but then I realized it pushes debris back into the river and limits the amount of mud that stays on the road once the water recedes. I went down the stairs and walked the sidewalk next to the flooded roadway and approached the Arch from there - an impressive site no matter which way you approach it. Alas the high water meant they weren't running the Riverboat Cruise, so that part of my plan had to be canceled. I headed down the ramp leading below the Arch shortly after I arrived, when the line was minimal. You have to go through security just like the airport. Once you are below the ground there is a museum (that I skipped), some shops for tourists, the the entrance to the trams that take you up to the top. There is a north tram and a south tram - they each have 8 little pods that hold 5 people, quite cozy. It's a 4 1/2 minute ride to the top of the Arch where there is an observation space with magnificent views to the east/Mississippi River/Illinois and the west/Missouri. Ride back down is 3 minutes, I think. Before they added the trams the only way to the top was to climb stairs ~ lots and lots of stairs!
When I got back outside I sat in the shade and enjoyed the beautiful day. It's Marine Week in st Louis and there was lots to see in the area. The line to go below the Arch was really long by then so I was glad I had gotten there early. Wandered around and took some more pix.
Headed back to the motel mid afternoon. Went and sat in the shade by the pool and read my book.
Early evening I headed back into the city. I wanted to get some pix of the Arch with different light. Ended up driving across the river to East St Louis (which is actually in Illinois) and got some pix from there. Hmmm... parking lot where I parked to take the pix just happened to be at the Casino Queen! So I went in to try my luck and of course had none. Still a good time and even better light with sun setting when I left.
Wonderful weather & wonderful day.
Here are the photos ~ The Arch.

St Louis vaca - Day 1

Got up bright and early for 6:25 flight to Chicago ~ thank you to Jon for also getting up early and driving me to the airport! Uneventful trip, although we did circle Chicago for a while before we could land. Then we landed on a runway that was no where near the terminal - it took us 15 minutes to taxi to the gate!
My rental car is a red Chevy Cruze - red is easier to find in parking lots. St. Louis is about 300 miles south of Chicago, about a 5 1/2 hour drive. I stopped at a cute little zoo in Bloomington, IL so I could stretch my legs half way through the drive.
Here are the pix: Miller Park Zoo.
Easy drive the rest of the way - traveling with a gps makes things pretty easy. I programmed all my possible stops in to the gps before I left. The Best Western where I am staying is actually in Bridgeton. I will head into St Louis to explore tomorrow. Weather forecast looks promising.

June 2011 * St. Louis

Another adventure for photography fun ~ heading to St. Louis. Lots of possibilities for places to see and things to do. Decisions will be made day to day. A lot will depend on the weather.