POSTCARD FROM ST LOUIS

Saturday, June 30, 2007

 

(Well, actually it’s from Collinsville, IL, but we’ll call it St. Louis.)

 

We left Oklahoma City and our fine, fine hosts in a heavy mist.  Unfortunately for OKC, this was their 15th consecutive day of rainfall, and the effects of it were everywhere.  Fields flooded and stream and rivers overflowing their banks.  So sad we can’t share that with other parts of the country that are in drought conditions.  Doesn’t make sense…..

 

We had a 550 mile day, but was a relief to not have an absolute deadline waiting for us at the end of our travel with a concert performance.  Kids were enjoying the lift on caffeine restrictions, but that didn’t stop some sleeping on the bus.  I’ve sort of lost count, but believe it was a 4 movie day.  Could have been 5, but it becomes kind of a blur. 

 

We had a couple of brief potty stops and today we were able to have a more leisurely lunch picnic time.  Thankfully, our rest stop had shelters since it decided to rain pretty steady during our time there. 

 

We pulled right into the Gateway Arch and Jim dropped us off.  We bought tickets for the tram ride to the top – 680 feet up there – for most of us, but a couple of our gang opted for the movie instead.  There was over an hour wait for our turn to ascend, but thankfully we didn’t have to stand in line all that time which allowed for some gift shopping, museum visit, and a chance to go outside for some good pics of the top of the arch and those teeny tiny windows wayyyyyyyyy up there!

 

The ride up was in a little capsule car that held 5 people and was truly a space bubble test.  A short 5 minute ride and we were there!  Gorgeous views from the top that was about 8 feet wide.  Didn’t take long for us to get our fill and we were in line for the cable ride down.  At the base we reassembled and headed out to the bus and to our hotel where we had pizza on its way…..the first pizza for our gang on the whole tour!  Some pool time, and then to bed. 

 

Sunday arrival:  We expect to be arriving in Madison a bit earlier than listed on the itinerary, probably closer to 3:00.  BUT – we will call you around noon to give you a better idea of when to meet us at Bethany. 

 

One final day of travel is ahead of us, and then it’s over……

 

Til next time,

 

Sue