Friday, September 25, 2009

The Gateway to the West

Since we got in late last night, we let the kids sleep in today. OK, ok, the girls and I slept in today while the boys got up early (probably because they were sleeping in a White Castle induced gas chamber and couldn't stand the noxious fumes any longer) and waited for us. When everyone was up and ready, we headed to the famous arch.

On the way there, we saw this...


I'm pretty sure that was supposed to say Sox suck, so I'll forgive you Cards fans. This time.

Outside the arch...



Almost looks like the Washington Monument here...


Be prepared - I have several pictures of the arch here. In fact, I took over 260 pictures today. I know. It's a sickness.


The gang...


We make our own fun.


This museum is under the arch, it's free, and it's full of interesting stuff.


Brooklyn was scared to death of this buffalo.


After checking out the museum, we saw a movie about Lewis and Clark. I was really pleasantly surprised because this 45 minute film held everyone's attention (except maybe Brooklyn, but she's 3). It was really interesting and the photography was absolutely breathtaking. It's in one of those giant theaters and at times, made you feel like you were flying over prairies and mountains. I highly recommend you see this if you're in St. Louis.

in our Mork from Ork pods on the way to the top of the arch...




Up on the very top


I don't wanna wear this stupid hat. You can't make me wear a bonnet. Ok, but you can't make me smile!



View out the windows at the top of the arch



The old courthouse from out the windows on top of the arch




We walked across the street from the arch where we had lunch on the Mississippi.


Then we rented quad bikes and rode around a little. Ugh, after this, I didn't feel so guilty for stealing a couple of Savannah's fries at lunch.






We took an informative riverboat cruise after the bike ride. The weather was beautiful and the tour was interesting. Brooklyn kicked her leg and her flip flop went flying under the rail and almost into the river, but no kids dove overboard so all was well.




The never-ending stairs. I trudged up while the kids ran up and down repeatedly. Show-offs. Maybe if the theme from Rocky had been playing while I dragged my butt up the stairs, I could've made it in less than an hour and a half.


We really wanted to check out the old courthouse because I hear it's beautiful inside, but we decided to call it a day. The kids had been awesome all day and we didn't want to jinx it, so we took them back to the hotel for a quick swim before dinner. We headed to Fitz's American Grill and Bottling Works. This place might be nice for lunch, but it's not as family friendly late on a Friday night. It's located on a strip that's very "college townish". Neat atmosphere and cool looking shops, and tons of kids just hanging out. Since we have a full schedule tomorrow and Clay had to pee AGAIN (I swear he has the bladder the size of a lentil), we came back to the hotel to sleep. Well, most of us are sleeping. Some of us are blogging. Still others are goofing off. And one in particular (I won't name names, but it starts with an "A") is apparently still feeling the effects of the White Castle.

Oh yeah! My sister didn't listen to me! She went and had her baby 2 weeks early today! Now I have to wait to see little-baby-no-name. So, I'm an aunt again! :)

20 comments:

Heather said...

I've learned something new - I never knew you could go up and in the arch. Looks a fun day.

Anonymous said...

Hi Dawn...I love your blog. when they were building the arch, I worked across the road from it at the Peabody Coal Company. when it was almost done, the top parts did not match up....they had to take some of it back apart and readjust for it to match up at the top. we all laughed and thought it was hilarious. they say it sways in the wind....did you feel any movement? i would have been sick. LOL glad you had fun. shirley bruner

Jessica said...

Looks like a wonderful (and yes, very tiring) day!

And congrats on the new little one! How exciting!

Jessica said...

Congrats about Little-Baby-No-Name!!!

And I'm really glad to hear your trip is going well so far. Believe me, I'm knocking on wood every chance I get for you. :)

Janie :) said...

I once took a double stroller with a 3 and 1 yo, down the grassy hill right next to those stairs. Not my smartest moment. And can you believe we fit 8 people in one of those pods? I was sure it was going to get stuck from all the weight. All 5 seats were full and 3 adults had kids on their laps.

Anonymous said...

You jinxed your sister, Dawn. But I'm sure she appreciated it. Is it a boy or a girl? Details! I need details! And Congratz on being an aunt again =)

Cookie said...

Great pics! And congrats on being an Aunt again! :)

Anonymous said...

I was in St. Louis about four years ago. And except for it being your family and not my friends, every picture you took matches one I took. And then some. I have pod pictures, ball stadium pictures and "top of the arch" pictures. Among a couple hundred others. And I know the strip you ate at-very nice and interesting. Enjoy it all-oh, we took the boat ride too!! Chris in PA

Veggiemomof2 said...

I'm sorry Dawn, but Cardinals fans hate the Cubbies.

Yes the arch does sway in the wind.

Be sure to visit Fitz bottling company while you are here!

Michelle said...

Ummm yeah... I'm assuming you're talking about LeCleed's Landing (or however you spell it) for the dinner. It's ummm not somewhere we take the wee ones, but it's fun to hang out there when you're sans kids and after a game....

And is it bad that I got queasy just looking at those deathtraps you rode in? I went up in the Arch when my husband and I were dating, and I didn't think I was going to make it. On the way down (2 seconds later -- and yes, I asked if I could walk instead of been squeezed inside the sardine can), the other three guys in the thing with us were ummm a little concerned that I might pass out. Whee. Never doing that again!

And umm yeah. You won't see too many Cards fans who like the Cubs. Cubs anything is banned from my house per my husband.

So did Brooklyn get her flip flop back at all?

Cheryl@SomewhatCrunchy said...

Congrats Auntie!!

SOS: I spy a tattoo on your right ankle! What is it?

http://www.crispy-not-crunchy.blogspot.com

pat said...

I'm a native St. Louisan, and have to tell you that the cubs suck sticker echoes the sentiments of all true cardinal fans!
Sorry about your experience at Fitz's. The Loop really isn't for families in the evenings. Make sure you hit up our zoo! It's one of the best,and it's free! Another must see is the Magic House in Kirkwood, and the City Museum on Washington. Can't wait to read more of your adventures!

Kristy said...

I've gone up in the arch 3 times. Its so much fun! great pictures!

Erin T. said...

I have family in St. Louis and we go up in the arch almost every time we visit. As a kid I loved riding up in the Mork pods!

My all time favorite thing to do in St. Louis though - Wear my Cubs gear!!! Go Cubbies! (It's not much fun when you're trying to check into a hotel wearing a Cubs jersey and getting the silent treatment from the person behind the desk!)

Marly said...

Congrats to your sister! How exciting for her. Sorry for you. I did the same thing to my brother. He went on a work trip and I had my baby.

Becky said...

Loved the picture of you and the kids! Looks like y'all had a GREAT time!

Christy P said...

Congratulations to your sister and her husband! Please share baby pics when you get back in town!

MaNiC MoMMy™ said...

i read thru all of these==sounds like a fun family vaca!

Asher and Ellie's Family said...

I was laughing SO HARD outloud at your "matzo" pizza comment, but mostly at the cheese wiz part! Imo's cheese does have a very "stick to the roof of your mouth" quality, but not all St. Louis style uses the same kind of cheese. My husband's family lives in NW Chicago, so we are fans of your style also, but why does it take at least 40 minutes to cook??

Anonymous said...

Long-time reader, first-time commenter, here! But I had to comment about your STL vacation post! I made my first visit to St. Louis to visit a friend back in June, and I was pleasantly surprised at what a fun, inviting city it is...with so much to do! I laughed when you mentioned the Museum of Westward Expansion (the museum under the Arch). Did you guys notice anything weird about any of the exhibits? For example, the full-size replica of a stagecoach next to a floor-to-ceiling photo of the first moon landing? Or the taxidermied (is that even a word?) beaver, in a dam, in front of a picture of the Atomic Bomb? After visiting the Arch, I pretty much decided that the National Park Service should stick to conservation and stay out of the museum exhibit business.

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