DAY 40 – August 7, 2012 – St Louis Temple, Arch and Museum (Gateway to the West)

St Louis Temple

For some reason the address that we had for the St Louis Temple, when typed into our GPS brought us on the other side of the freeway on a side street, staring at the temple, within site, but not within reach.  We had to figure out how to get over the freeway, and get to the other side to the temple.

The kids made it just a few minutes late, and were able to do baptisms.  The temple doesn’t have a visitor’s center, but they do have a distribution center that has a waiting room, so the kids and I visited with others in the room while we waited.  When the boys were done we traded places and Mr. S and I went in to do a session.

The temple is different from all the others we have been in so far.  It’s fun to see the different temples we have.

After the temple we headed back downtown to see the Arches.  I thought we would take a photo in front of it and leave.  I didn’t realize it had a visitor’s center underneath it, and since it’s a National Park the kids could do the ranger program.

So we did the Junior Ranger Program and walked through the museum, which was about the West, since the Arches represent the “Gateway to the West”.  It was very good.

As part of earning the park ranger badge the kids have to design a peace medal similar to what the US gave the Indians.  Fireballs design was awesome, we all think it’s so cute.  Some of the medals had pictures of two hands shaking, so Fireball drew his coin with two hands giving each other knuckles.  Then the other side of most of the medals was the President.  Fireballs interpretation of the President was Starburst, his sister.  Cutest peace medal ever!

We hadn’t planned on going to the top of the Arches, but after we all thought about it we decided we were probably there only once, we’d just do it.  So we rode to the top.  It’s funny how you imagine things will be and then how they turn out.  I didn’t realize they had a museum and I didn’t realize you rode to the top in pods.  It was kind of funny and alien like.  The kids liked it.  The trip is slightly anti-climactic if you’ve been in a plane, when you are at the top, it just looks like you are flying low over the city.  But Starburst pointed out it was the highest she had ever been in her life.

Just across the street from the Arches is the old Capital building where the Dred Scott case was tried.  It closes at 4:30pm though, and we didn’t get out of the Arches until 6:30pm.  We didn’t plan St Louis well… not thinking how long the temple would take, and not knowing the arches had a museum.  But the kids were happy with the day.

At the Arches souvenir store they had junior ranger hats.  I was surprised the Mr. S was willing to buy them, but I guess it means he doesn’t have to make the kids plaques : )  So Starburst and Fireball bought themselves Junior Ranger hats.  The hat has slots to show off 10 badges.  Turns out the kids had earned 12 badges, so it didn’t quite have room for them all, but there were other spots to pin them.  I think that Bazooka is holding out on a plaque.

We took some photos by the courthouse, and near Busch Stadium.  The Cardinals had a game tonight, and you could see the boys looking longingly that way, but we have friends to visit.

On our way back to the RV we all decided to dip our feet into the Mississippi.  How could we not?  I would have jumped in, but if you smelled the smells we experienced there, you would be worried the fact we dipped our feet in it…

We spent the night with some friends that have moved to St. Louis.  Our younger kids were asking who we were going to see, and we had a fun time talking about all the memories we have with them.  The not so terrific float down the Boise River, my daughter’s first crush and then her first tackle (as she tackled their older son in the middle of church because her older brothers told her he would like that.)  They even stayed at our home one night with our kids when Mr. S and I had a mini vacation.  They are great friends and it was fun to see them again.

***Note on RV Parking.  There is some free RV parking down along the Mississippi, just below the hill where the Arch is.  It is close enough you can park there and see the Arch, the Old Court House, and Busch Stadium.

I have been told many times by my sister how family friendly St Louis is, and I would agree.  On the Arch we were not charged for our teenagers as if they were adults (which made it more affordable, and is one of the only places we’ve been that’ done that).  Free designated RV parking is unheard of in any of the cities we have been too.  The zoo and the science center are free after you pay for parking.  It’s a great place to visit with your family.

Summary of Day 40

Drove: 79 miles

Places we visited or saw:  St Louis Temple, St Louis Arch and Musuem, Old Court House (Dred Scott Case), Outside Busch Stadium, Feet in the Mississippi, and Harpers home.