Vacation, the beginning

First and foremost, we're without our computer, so I cabbaged this one from our fellow travellers. This might be brief, but you were probably hoping for that, weren't you?

We made it to the meet-up Friday night; got a chance to visit with Brando, Rudy, Yin and Yuri before nabbing some sleep before we departed. We left out nice and early the next morning, stopping at the Gateway Arch in St. Louis and taking a ride up 630-feet structure. Along the way we passed the Eades Bridge, both are landmarks in engineering and I admit the geek in me was elated. Cynical, however, will be forever scarred as he was chastised for attempting to molest a statue of Thomas Jefferson. Lesson learned: don't hug statues in public, particularly when there are rangers nearby.

After some nourishment at Hannigan's downtown, we hit the road, stopping at the Route 66 State Park, where I, against my better judgment, consented to using an outhouse disguised as a normal restroom.

We hit the road again and found ourselves staying at Meramac State Park where we stayed in the most basic of hotel rooms, but the view and sunset more than made up for it. We were, at first, the only guests in this very secluded motel and I was a bit convinced we would be murdered in our sleep, but, as you can tell, we survived.

Our Sunday morning started early as we hit the road; leaving behind my beloved pillow. I'm still pouting over that and the computer. Pause for a brief pout.

Along the way we visited a reproduction of Stone Henge created by some students at the engineering school in Rolla. After a much, much too big breakfast, we made our way to the Walnut Street Inn here in Springfield, which is where I am now.

An annual arts fest is in the works and we meandered for several hours admiring the work. Quick small world story: several years ago at another art fair I was buying some pottery and in talking to the artist I realized she and her husband were friends with my brother and sister-in-law. At that time I purchased a bowl as a gift. The giftee broke it a few years later and was heartbroken. Today when I spied a booth, thinking the pottery was similiar, I stopped and realized it was the same artist who I had met again at my brother and sister-in-law's wedding. In the end I got a new bowl for my friend and got reacquainted.

Such beautiful pieces, such a green community. Loving the biodegradeable Greenweare and bio-bags. And everyone I spied was walking a dog through the festival. I appreciate communities that appreciate pets.

After watching a little inappropriate teen dancing presentations and sitting in a cozy swing, we ave made our way back to the inn where we are relaxing.

A few notes about the inn, we're in the attic space and tucked away in each of the eaves are cozy hide-away spaces. Thanks to some cozy pillows, I laid in one today listening to my MP3 player, journaling and people watching out the window. It's my new favorite place on earth. I'm planning to spend a good deal of time there, in my own hide-away. Perhaps I'll share a photo of it with you and you can escape along with me.

Above:
The arch in my perspective.

The sunset at Meramec park. . . made the near brush with hotel death well worth it.

Stone Henge ala Rolla.

The table at our Victorian inn.

Art at the show today.