Saint Louis Zoo and Saint Louis Art Museum

2009 Holiday

On Tuesday, June 30, 2009 we visited the Saint Louis Zoo and tne nearby Saint Louis Art Museum. All visitors are allowed to capture images in this Museum as long as the flash is not used. I appreciated this picture in as much as I also have two sons and this charming painting of two young men from many years ago caught my eye. Unfortunately I never had a painting commissioned of my two sons.

Now, just to prove that we actually were in Saint Louis, Missouri we had a fellow tourist take this image of us as we were about to enter the Saint Louis Art Museum.

The Saint Louis Zoo is a fascinating place to visit. These zebra enjoyed their area and quickly posed for any photographer.

The puffin at the Saint Louis Zoo. To learn more about these interesting birds please visit this website:

http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/birds/atlantic-puffin.html

After viewing the March of the Penquins on television several years ago I have been fascinated by these birds. They are easy to photograph and in this picture you can see that they pose quite well.

A delightful visit to the Zoo and the Art Museum. After all this activity we had a delightful lunch at the "Boat House." To learn more about this fine dining establishment please visit:

http://www.boathouseforestpark.com/restaurant.php

This was our last full day in Saint Louis so we joined our youngest Son and his Bride at the Pasta House for a delightful dinner.

Saint Louis, Missouri a wonderful place to visit and from what I have learned over the past several years a delightful place to live and enjoy life.

Grant's Farm

Saint Louis, Missouri

Flower Child's 2009 Holiday

On day three of our 2009 Holiday our Son and his Bride who live in Saint Louis took us to Grant's Farm. While it was hot and humid we did enjoy the visit to Grant's Farm. There was an abundance of wild life in a park like setting.

These two birds captured everyone's attention. As you can ascertain their bright colors and this shady location was a mecca for the tourist visiting Grant's Farm on Saturday, June 27th.

Of course no visit to Grant's Farm would be complete without some time for family bonding and fellowship. Here you see the Flower Child and his Youngest Son engaged in appropriate Family Time. This photograph was taken after our visit to the Beer Garden.

Admission to Grant's Farm is payment of a $11.00 parking fee for a vehicle. Our Son and His Bride treated us to this fun opportunity.

Metropolis, Illinois

Flower Child's 2009 Holiday

On 25 June 2009 the Flower Child and his Bride commenced the annual trip to "The Holy Land." After a long day of travel from Macon, Georgia we stopped for the evening at Metropolis, Illinois. We visited the "SuperMan" site and enjoyed appropriate ice cream treats at the Dairy Queen.
This wall mural was on a building just across the street from the SuperMan statue. This mural quickly reinforced the concept that "Small Town" America has it right. In fact many small towns also had signs on the street lamps displaying the names and branch of service that their citizens were currently serving in. What an appropriate tribute to our Nation's Heroes. Additionally it helps the local citizens realize that there are family members among them that would appreciate a "Thank You" and even assistance as their loved one is deployed.

As we returned to our Hotel we noted the entrance to a State Park. Once we arrive in the Park we learned that we were visiting the "Fort Massac State Park." This reconstructed Fort is indeed a State of Illinois treasure. To learn more about this place please visit:

http://dnr.state.il.us/lands/LANDMGT/parks/r5/frmindex.htm

After our educational visit to this State Park we enjoyed a delightful night in Metropolis. The next day we continued our journey/holiday. During the nineteen day Holiday we never had to pay the high price for fuel that we did in South Illinois. Fuel was $2.719 at the Marion Truck Plaza on I-57.

It was also interesting to note in the local print media that some of the citizens of Southern Illinois were planning a meeting to organize an attempt to establish a new State.