MISSOURI LOVES COMPANY

Wednesday, July 15, 2015
Saint Louis, Missouri, United States
Barbecue and beer. This city is obsessed with it. Everywhere you go, you're reminded of it. Craft beers, served ice-cold, are very hot here. So, of course, we found what was considered one of the finest BBQ places in town, Bogart’s, and oh, did we enjoy it. Their meat, prepared daily, came right out of the smoker and finished with a choice of four intoxicating sauces. Even more incredible is the fact that the place usually closes in midday, sometimes after lunch, cause they simply run out of meat. We planned our visit to ensure that this wouldn’t happen to us. Sure enough, we had brisket, pastrami, and beef tips to die for. We then followed up this over-indulgence with another--a visit to Fitz’s, for it’s excellent craft root beer. Perfect for the hot humid weather we were experiencing. Given the driving I was doing, we scrupulously avoided the alcoholic temptations all around us. At worse, a police stop would result in a DUI, with me being a Driver Under the Influence (of spicy herby goodness).

St. Louis stuck us as a very livable city. As the gateway to the west, it’s very reflective of the Midwest. Friendly people, and very manageable traffic. It has done a good job of restoring and re-energizing its aging downtown area, with districts focused on entertainment, recreational space, and the healthcare industry. Very impressive modern architecture sits side-by-side with the historic. But, this blog isn’t meant to be a travel guide to St Louis. I wanted to tell you about some of the things that particularly impressed us and made our visit meaningful.

First and foremost was the symbol of the city, the Gateway Arch, which turns 50 this year. Like so many landmarks, it’s so much more striking in person than in photos. The brushed chrome colour gleams in the sun and partly reflects the blue skies we encountered while there. It’s also a lot larger than you might imagine. During our visit, we learned about its ground-breaking design and construction. But, this paled when compared to the experience of being enclosed in a small capsule and riding to the top of the arch. This was a lot of fun, and exciting as well. The view was exhilarating, like being at the top of the CN Tower at home. As it turned out, we luckily timed our visit well, because it often experiences daily sellouts.


The other aspect of St Louis, which completely took us aback, was an area in the heart of the city called Forest Park . It is 50% larger than Central Park in New York, and contains so many attractions, it could make your head spin. Among them were large, Greek Temple-like museums, lakes, all sorts of sports and recreational facilities, gardens, hiking trails, and much more. We went to their excellent art gallery and history museums and spent several hours at each. This park also houses a zoo rated one of the top 10 in the world. Innovative, humane, and reflecting what must be the state-of-the art for zoos, we so enjoyed walking among the many families whose kids were so clearly into it. Everywhere, there were docents and employees glad to provide impromptu explanations. Bonnie had a spirited discussion with one about polar bears. If you have any polar bear-related questions, feel free to take them up with her! Now, for the piece de resistance, and the most amazing thing of all-- all museums and attractions (including the zoo) in the park are free to the public. Unlike Toronto, with its high-priced attractions, these are open to those of all means. What a wonderful way to treat its inhabitants and visitors. A piece of trivia: St. Louis is named after King Louis IX, the only French king named a saint. So, now the question is: why is this American city named after a French king and saint who lived 800 years ago? The answer is even better—Nobody knows! The trip is continuing to be a great experience for us. We do love long car trips, because they give us lots of time together, without the distractions of daily life. We’re listening to books on CD while we’re doing the long distance driving. We are currently engrossed in an autobiography by Billy Crystal, which we’re really enjoying. Each day on this trip yields surprises, and we never know what the next day will bring. We are booking hotels a day in advance, depending on our ever-changing plans, and then hitting the internet and tourist offices to get info on possible activities/sights/festivals/restaurants, etc. We also borrowed some books from the library to assist us (sample: "1000 Places to See in the United States and Canada Before You Die"). Where next? We’re inclined to think that our time in Missouri wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Branson, so that’s where we’ll be heading. Stay tuned......

Comments

Hope Springman
2015-07-22

This is one of your best entries yet - wow! St. Louis sounds like a really livable, interesting and fun city, and what a fantastic way to treat people - all the museums/attractions are free of charge! Only other place I experienced that was in Washington, D.C. - Toronto could certainly take a lesson! Listening to the books on tape certainly enhances the journey, and you always have a great selection to choose from. Wishing you safe travels to Branson - a place I have long wanted to visit. Here's a thought: DUI = David Uses Internet!

cissie.retired
2015-07-22

Lovely to read this blog! St. Louis sounds like a wonderful city: especially since its cultural visits are free. I like that. I've read the Billy Crystal book and I'm sure you are enjoying it being read to you.
We're still enjoying the Pan Am games here and celebrating all the Canadian medals...we are doing well.
Weather is pleasant these days, although we had high humidity over the weekend. I am guessing that it is dryer in the areas you are now traveling. Keep safe, and continue these wonderful blogs...

Valerie Gerechter
2015-07-22

You guys are looking good - all that craft beer must be agreeing with you.

2025-02-07

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