Travelin' Girl

We just got back from almost two full weeks of traveling. We started off spending 11 days in St. Louis, MO. Then we were home for one day to do laundry and switch out our bags before heading to Tulsa. We got in last night just in time to watch the game. Here are some pics from our St. Louis trip.

ice in the river
We love visiting St. Louis. They have so much to do. In fact, second only to Washington, D.C., they have the most free attractions of any U.S. city. We usually head straight for Forest Park and the St. Louis Zoo, which is absolutely fabulous. But since it was so cold, we decided to try some free indoor attractions this time. First stop:

Yes, folks, we took our baby to a brewery. I wasn't really sure about this little visit, but Steve was excited. I went and was pleasantly surprised. It was quite fascinating. This brewery was used to make yeast and soda pop during prohibition days, and they proudly show that off as well as the beer. And, most importantly, Claire saw her first horse - a Budweiser Clydesdale.

The stable, complete with stained glass windows, is beautiful. (In fact, all of the architecture at the brewery is amazing. You can tell that at least at one point in its history, the owners had way too much money that they didn't know what to do with it. Every building is ornate inside and out, even the bottling plant.)

inside the stable next to a Clydesdale (note the stained glass windows for the horses to enjoy)

After the Brewery, we headed to the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis. It was amazing! I have never seen anything like it. It's decorated completely with mosaic tiles. Do click on the link and look at the pictures on the website. (You don't have to click on anything on the site. It automatically starts a slide show for you that is amazing.) I just wish that we had been able to take better pictures. I would definitely visit again. Just to put into perspective how long it took to complete this beautiful work of art, work was begun the year the Titanic sunk and was completed during the Reagan administration. Amazing!!!

Claire was doing a little exploring of her own. This cathedral has an eight-second echo. Claire loved that and tested it out repeatedly.

Here is the Old Courthouse where the Dred Scott trial took place. Due to Steve's schedule, we were never there early enough to tour the building; but it's beautiful.

St. Louis is a beautiful and wonderful place to visit. We go at least once a year. I can't wait until we can go back and take Claire to the zoo.

We'll be home this week. Then we're off for two more trips this month - Washington, D.C. and back to Tulsa to celebrate Analise's third birthday!