sherm363: Sept 4, Day in St. Louis, Missouri)

Lanny's room in the Budget Lodge in St. Clair, MO. I'm sharing with Skid and Sandy. Same room, but we have an extra bed which eliminates the couch.

For Karen

We enjoyed downtown St. Louis.

Wasn't easy snapping pictures on the ride, with the phone, but got a few

The Old Courthouse while riding

Gateway Arch

Not a mural. A reflection.

The Arch park is under construction. We had to get our tickets in the Courthouse

We had about a half hour before boarding the Arch cart. Good thing we didn't stay here long, or we wouldn't have made it.

Interesting

One of many hide outs town town

Getting closer. The parking lot and concessions are all closed while doing an upgrade.

High 90's. Very humid. And a LONG walk

The Might Mississippi River

Inside the Arch

The doors are 4 feet tall. When they open, there is a small pod with 5 very close seats in a half circle. Lanny and I got in one with a couple that weighed close to 600 pounds between them. Couldn't get the 5th person in. 4 minute ride to the top. 3 minutes down.

You disembark and can stay on top to take pictures. Very limited window space. You need to get in line ASAP to get back down.

View from the top

Busch Statium

Construction area for the new park and parking

Phone photos

At the top, waiting to board a car going down

One end of the arch

Our lunch place

According to this guy, Phil's BBQ has been in business over 100 years. This building was remodeled in 1945. They still call it the "new" remodel.

A church next door

The newly (1945) remodeled building

A pleasant surprise. Skid recommended this in a text, just a few minutes before we saw the sign. We learned a lot of history, and had a very enjoyable tour through the property

A tie in by marriage between the Grant family and the Busch family. Anheuser-Busch, and Grant. This property has been in the family for a long time.

Very family oriented. Lots to see and do...and buy :-)

Nothing much cuter than baby goats

Not sure what keeps these birds here. I didn't see restraints, and they aren't in a cage

Several Beautiful building. I didn't get a shot of the main house,

This Ex-Coastie say my cap, and came up to visit awhile. He's out on a medical retirement. There with his family enjoying the park.

Awwww. Our first visit to Walmart in Union, MO. Only about 7 miles from our motel

Monday morning breakfast ride. Rush hour in St. Clair

A block from the Lewis Family Cafe

Lanny in downtown St. Lewis. Different camera, so they aren't exactly in orde

Since the Arch Park is under renovation, we had to go here for our tickets. It was a good thing, or we wouldn't have seen some of the very old historical items and the beauty inside this building

Lanny wanted to have lunch here. But Handy-men must make more money than retired Coast Guard Officers. I can't afford the prices in there!

We saw a few "city" people here this morning.

All weekend, in every city we've gone through, the local Firemen are standing at busy intersections collecting money for fill their boots. Lanny accused this one of being a "high pressure pan-handler" but he did give him a nice donation.

Always wanted to live downtown in a big city for a few months. But, at my age, I'm pretty happy to stay home and watch NASCAR from my recliner. Traveling is becoming work :-)

The first couple to get their freedom from THIS Courthouse

Nice reflections

Inside the Courthouse

Lanny exploring inside the Courthouse. Had to get him out so we could "Get to the Arch on Time"

Just one more

Maybe these buggies are waiting for the Ferry to cross the River

Busch Stadium from the top of the Arch..with zoom of course

A real haven for Animals in the middle of a busy City

You pay $12 to park, then the standard rides are free in the Park. Since we only took up one space with 2 bikes, we only had to pay $6 each. A VERY good bargain. Enjoyable tour. We didn't buy anything inside, so it was a cheap and enjoyable afternoon.

Grant built this house. Here on the property, but in a different location. It was moved here. Only ONE or TWO homes that were built by US Presidents and are still standing. I don't know who built the other one.