St. Louis

What an awesome day!  Dave got up early and did the laundry!  Thanks Dave!  After breakfast we walked to the City Museum.  I had read all about this museum on the Internet and I couldn't wait to go.  When we arrived all the staff and all the other museum goers were standing outside.  The only ones in the museum were firefighters!  We found out later that there was a small fire on the third floor.  We were happy that it reopened 20 min after we arrived.  We were even more happy that they let us in for free (that was a $60 savings!)  We are hoping for a small flood at the next museum we attend.  There are no words to describe this museum, but I will try anyway.  WOW, AWESOME, UNIQUE, TOTALLY COOL and OUTSTANDING!  As you can see we loved it!  Basically, anything goes at this museum.  You climb recycled tunnels to floating planes and squeeze through tiny holes to unexpected destinations.  There are slides of all types descending from every direction.  Underground mazes, trees with tunnels, indoor circus and even Bob Big Boy.  Sterling was in the Circus show and did a fabulous job.  If you ever go to St. Louis this place is a must!  

After the museum we decided to get some exercise (like we needed it after all that climbing and crawling) and walk to the Arch.  On the way we stopped at Jake's for a bite.  It was a great place to eat and we all enjoyed our linner (we call it that when we eat too late for lunch, but too early for dinner).  When we approached the Arch we were all blown away by how huge it was.  I have been to St. Louis twice before but this was Dave's and the boys' first time.  We were also surprised to see that the Mississippi was flooding its banks.  After staring at the Arch for a while on the outside we headed underground to see it from the inside.  We did not realize the the Ach is actually a National Park so they had a Junior Ranger Program.  Of course we did it and now the kid have another badge!  We bought tickets to get to the top and to see the Lewis and Clark movie.  We then headed to the Western Expansion Museum that is also underground.  We learned a lot about the Louisiana Purchase and the Western Expansion.  We also learned about Louis and Clark and Sacagawea.  The museum and the movie were both very informative and well laid out.  I'm too tired for the history lesson today but if you are interested I put a link on my blog. 

After the movie we rode the egg shaped tram to the top.  This tram rotates while ascending the 630 ft. to the top.  If you are claustrophobic or afraid of heights you would not like this ride.  Once at the top, the views from the tiny windows are amazing!  (Mom... Sterling took the photo of the four of us at the top, he insisted because you said you wanted him to take some of the pictures.)  You can see for miles across the Mississippi on the East and the whole city of St. Louis to the West.  We stayed up there for about half an hour and then got back into our Mork and Mindy pod and headed back down.  We walked along the Mississippi and checked out the flooding before we caught a cab and headed back to the RV.  We are excited to continue or tour of St. Louis tomorrow.  St. Louis was voted the second most kid friendly city (Washington DC was rated the first) in the US so there are many things we want to see.

Thought of the Day - I knew the story of Sacagawea but I didn't really understand the adventure she endured with a newborn baby.  I couldn't imagine!  If you have a chance re-read her story it is quite amazing.  I'll post a link for her too.

I have posted our pics from St. Louis below.  I have also updated our smugmug pics.  There were so many from the city museum I could only post a few on our blog so check out the rest.

St Louis Pictures