St. Louis trip

I was scurrying around, doing last minute trip preparations this morning and asked Noah to read me the email I'd sent to myself in the middle of the night about things to do/pack.  He read, "Ummm...the first thing looks like some sort of misspelled swear word...."

9:00 a.m.  We're leaving, and we're traveling with one hoarder and one crafter.  The hoarder packed several bags (including one bag full of hats..?) of enough stuff to last all year, and the crafter packed tacky glue, scissors, markers, who knows what else.  They both packed lots of chocolate and candy.  I prayed for a safe trip, which caused Noah to launch into a Tim Hawkins routine ("A hedge of protection?  Really, God?  A hedge?  Is that the best you can do?  I'm pretty sure the devil has shears!")  Sarah is making up a song about Marty barfing.  Now we're listening to "Mr. Stinky Feet's Roadtrip".

Sharing a set of earbuds

9:25 a.m.  A bald eagle just flew right over the interstate and gave us a great show!

9:40 a.m.  gas at BP in Lincoln (7.4 gal @ $3.52/gal=$26.39) and drive thru breakfast at Steak N Steak (5 tacos and 2 parfaits=$7.50)

birds' nests

11:00 a.m.  I'm regaling the occupants of the van with information on St. Louis history from a library book.  Mike is listening (partially), but I don't think anyone else is.  I learned some interesting things!

11:48 a.m.  arch!  $6 parking.

pretty trees on the walk to the arch

 1:18 p.m.  We blasted through the arch in an hour and a half.  $30 to ride the tram to the top.

The tiny door to the tiny capsule that took us to the top of the arch

Sarah didn't like the noise

1:48 p.m.  Arriving at the Crowne Plaza in Clayton, MO.  When our GPS (Sally the Satellite) forgets where we are and gets confused, we call her Opal, because we still love her and wouldn't want to be without her.  Our room isn't ready, so we hit the arcade and restaurant.  The arcade has some good old games from the 80s like Frogger and Ms. Pacman.  Then we go to the hotel restaurant, which has good prices for kids' meals and pizza.


4:40 p.m. Going to the pool.  The water was nice and warm, but it was pretty gross.  Lots of mysterious filth floating around and this giant hairball on the side: