An arch, some BBQ and a couple of dead presidents homes.... Our time in St. Louis and back home.
We woke up to the roar of the transfer trucks in the Casino parking lot on Monday (Labor Day) and followed them back out on the road.
We went just a few miles down to Independence Missouri to check out the Harry S Truman National Historic Site (because we can’t let history or a ranger badge pass us by!). The Truman’s lived in their home before, during and after the presidency and it’s been preserved just as it was when the First Lady passed away. It was neat to see their nice yet humble home. It was fascinating to me that a president would just go back home and return to a regular life after coming from such power in a time where Secret Service didn’t go with you after being president. Coincidentally the town of Independence was also having a big town festival for the weekend but it was hot and we were St Louis bound so no time for fun when you’ve got places to be!
We arrived in St. Louis Monday afternoon, dropped the camper at the St. Louis RV resort (pretty much a parking lot but it’s downtown, close to everything and has nice bathroom facilities and a pool) and headed straight to the zoo. Phoenix has gone nuts for animals all trip and it’s been years since the big kids have been to a zoo so when we found out that the St. Louis zoo was free we were all about it. It was open late for Labor Day which provided us not only time to go but a time of day that wasn’t so hot (because believe me when I say it was plenty warm enough as it was...it’s hot back towards the south y’all). The owners of the RV Resort told us tricks on parking all around town so we drove past the zoo entrance and parked on the side of the road for free instead of paying $15 to park so we felt like we were winning before we even got in the gates. There were several animals hiding from the heat and crowds (smart fellas) but we still got to see so many cool things and watch the kids freak out over and over again. Phoenix was stunned at first when we turned the corner and there was a huge rhino standing there and then continued to scream and squeal and cover his mouth in disbelief at every single animal the rest of the way through the park. It was truly priceless. Kyrie loved the pink flamingoes because she’s all about all things pink and Gray chose the snow leopard as his favorite for the day. I’m calling dibs on the giraffes and lion and Evan loved the okapi (which is basically the giraffe cousin with zebra stripes in its legs). While there were several extras we could have payed for in the park, the kids were completely content with the free exhibits and our 2.5 time period was perfect. A little shopping at REI and some Chipotle served as good ends to the day before bed.
Tuesday morning we got up and out and headed straight for our reservations to go to the Gateway Arch.
The Arch itself is free (and just became a National Park last year) but it costs to go to the top. While we didn’t go to the top of the Space Needle, we wanted the experience of the Arch. It’s a lot like an airport when you walk in with security checks and electronics which fascinated the kids. After being cleared we headed underground to the museum and information area. The exhibits were so well done and fun for all ages, it was easy to tell how new it all was. When it was our reserved time we lined up to be taken to the top of the arch.
First you are welcomed with a fun video of things that were happening in the 60s around the time the arch was being built. Then you are put into groups and stand in front of tiny tiny spaceship doors. When they open you go into an even smaller spaceship pod with 5 toilet seats. Ok, they aren’t actually spaceships or toilet seats but that’s what it looks and feels like. Our family of 5 got in and with our legs all touching, the doors shut and we started the journey to the top. I have absolutely no problem with heights but tight spaces with little airflow and no way out, ummmm can we say anxious? Longest 4 minutes of my life. Once the baby doors opened at the top we stepped out to AIR, a slanted floor and small windows with amazing views. Once you’re at the top you can spend as long as you like so we took our time going from window to window enjoying the experience. It was funny to watch Phoenix try to run and navigate himself on the slanted floor without crashing. And the windows are at an angle so you kind of lay on shelves to see out and all three kids thought climbing up and down from spot to spot was a blast (especially Phoenix who wouldn’t stay at one window more than 5 seconds). There was the sweetest park ranger at the top mingling and answering questions and he was kind enough to hang out with the kids and present them each with junior ranger badges. Every other badge they have worked for around the park where we have been and then been given it at a desk but this one they were able to receive high up in the sky by making friends. It was sweet. Once Evan acquired billboard worthy photos we re-entered the death tube and were back down in three minutes. The tram is a pretty cool work of technology though as it combines that of an elevator, escalator and and Ferris wheel to get you up and down (I chose to be fascinated once I was breathing open air at the bottom).
Once we left the arch we walked across the street to The Old Courthouse. Yep, that’s the official name of it. This courthouse played a big part in the civil rights movement among other things and is now part of the National Park’s system included with the arch. We completed the ranger program there and took note of the amazing architecture and history of the place before heading back to the car. On our walk back it was even more evident that we were headed back south because dude, the heat. Why did we leave Canada again?
After a snack we headed a few miles away to “White Haven” which was Ulysses S. Grants home in the area where he raised his children between his war and presidential days (and the home where he met his wife as it was her family’s estate growing up). The tour was very different from the presidential home tour we took the day before. The house was mostly empty so you were able to roam about the rooms and outdoor spaces while learning facts about different things that took place there. Our tour guide there was super knowledgeable and excited to share what all she knew. It’s fun to see people who truly love their job and sharing what they know with others! Behind the house was the barn that is now a museum and information hub on Grants life. The kids took what they learned and earned their third junior ranger badge for the day. After watching them work so hard for their badges and completing all the work I’m starting to think they I’m gonna have to start my own “home ranger” program or something!
Once we left White Haven we were ready for lupper (that’s a lunch/supper combo for those of you who are confused). We had heard good things from locals (as well as the Food Network apparently) about Pappys Smokehouse. We marched in, ordered our food and it was delivered to us almost as soon as we sat down. While Evan is sticking with Joes in Kansas City has his favorite BBQ for the trip, I’m saying that the rib hype is Pappys was spot on and calling it my favorite. The meat fell off the bone and the baked beans were delicious. The burnt ends were good as well. I would love to go back sometime and try the other varieties of what they offer.
After lupper it was time for the all exhilarating oil change. Ooohhh ahhh. We’re so glamorous with our normal life stuff on the road. It’s surprising how hard it can be to find a quick oil change place when you’re in the middle of a big city. Valvoline just outside of town took care of us though and had us headed towards our dessert destination in no time. While there was a waffle and ice cream shop in town we opted for custard at Andy’s since we knew it was a solid choice that will never let you down. Well, Evan and the kids went with the custard. I was wanting something different so I went next door to the QT gas station and let them hook me up with a frozen coffee (I know my high brow status astounds you all).
On the way back home we had the most exciting part of our entire trip. The car decided to quit. It just shut down and decided it was done for awhile. Though it’s always frustrating when a car decides to have a mind of its own, we were instantly aware at how fortunate we were. We weren’t on the interstate. We weren’t pulling the camper. We weren’t in the busy downtown. We weren’t in the middle of a National Park or no-name town. It wasn’t in the heat of the day. We WERE two blocks from the camper and able to get the car pushed into a schools driveway. After we called roadside assistance, the kids and I walked back to the camper while Evan made a few more calls and waited on the tow truck. We thought there might be a chance that the oil change we had 14 miles prior could have contributed to the sudden stop so Evan called Valvoline just Incase. A HUGE shoutout goes to their manager who left what he was doing and came to where Evan was to see if there was anything he could do and check to make sure things weren’t their fault and if it was, to make it right. Talk about integrity! While he was there and before the tow-truck came, the car simply started again like nothing had happened. He followed Evan back to the camper and we canceled the tow. So crazy.
The next morning we were supposed to hit the road early towards Kentucky but we didn’t want to hook-up and hook-in without having the car fully checked out first. Evan was first in line at the auto repair place and after a little wait he got the news that they had found, well, absolutely nothing. 12 hours before we were on the side of the road and now things appeared fine. We thanked the Lord for his provisions and got on the road just a few hours later than planned.
Thankfully we had absolutely no driving problems and had a fun pitstop in Metropolis, Illinois along the way. Metropolis wasn’t exactly what I pictured in my head but the statues and superhero memorabilia thrilled the kids and I enjoyed stellar coffee at the one place in town not decorated to look like Superman. Later that afternoon we arrived at Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area before the visitors center closed. We got the last of the junior ranger books for the kids to work on and headed to our campsite. We stayed at the Energy Lake campground there. It is electric hookups only but the sites are right on the lake and super spacious. It would make for an awesome spot to camp with friends for an extended time. We were able to take a little path to a sand area from our site and have ourselves a little lake swimming party. We had spaghetti and time to work on the junior ranger books before hitting the hay.
Thursday morning we woke up with the strange realization that it was time to go home. It seemed like our trip would never come (and sometimes it felt like it would never end) but in that moment it seemed to all go by so fast. Almost two months seemingly gone in a flash. The kids proudly said their pledge once more to promise to take care of the parks and we were officially on the toad towards home. Tennessee and Alabama lines came quickly. A long lunch at Cracker Barrel made us feel like home and seemed like a nice bookend to the trip since we started by staying in one back when we stared our journey in early July. The car continued to handle and haul like a champ all the way back to the #airstreamstarship home under the barn in Coldwater. Being on the road is an irreplaceable experience that we are so grateful for, but, there really is nice place like home.
