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As we were driving to St. Louis, our girls (and myself) were Ooohing and Aahhhing over the beautiful Autumn leaves! The colors were magnificent. At one point along the drive, our girls said,"Oh look at the leaves blow along the road behind the cars!" It then dawned on us, that our girls have never seen fall leaves skirt along a roadside in the Autumn. It was a total "parents of the year" moment. We take our girls out of Texas in the summer, but we never have in the Autumn. They were amazed at the beautiful fall leaves on the trees, something that we hardly have here in Houston. The most popular tree to plant in Houston, are what I think are the UGLIEST trees ever created...the Live Oak tree. The leaves do not change color. In the month of February the little tiny leaves just turn brown one day and fall off. About two weeks later new green leaves come out. Another popular tree is the long needle pine. Again, not a very pretty tree. You will not see much fall foliage here...unless of course you are in my yard, where I have planted two large Maple trees! I have the fall colors in my yard, and I just love it! It reminds me of Washington.
Okay, onto more important things....besides fall leaves.
On the way to Missouri, we of course had to stop in Memphis, Tennessee to just be able to say "We have been there!" and of course to eat some BBQ at Corky's! Wow, just thinking about it this restaurant is making me hungry! If you haven't been, put it on your "places to visit" list.
The St. Louis Gateway Arch is remarkable. What a cool place to take the kids. The arch is HUGE, so simple, yet so pretty to stand under. The ride to the top put me on edge...you ride in a small pod train up to the viewing area. {The visitor center employees do ask if you are afraid of heights, confined spaces and if you are claustrophobic.} The line to the pods, reminded us of a Disney ride. The music, the things to look at and touch, the brief movie. It was great! Once at the top, we couldn't see very much, due to the fog. A little disappointed that the weather didn't cooperate, but still it was neat being in the Arch!
Thanksgiving was great! The night before our huge feast, Jonathan injected the turkey with Cajun Spices. He slow cooked it over night, and wow....was it moist, delicious and spicy. ("I think I got there me a juice pocket!") After dinner The Lee's and the Turner's headed to the church to play some volleyball and basketball! I won't say which family won the tourney but let's just say, they were all from Texas!
We ended up going out shopping at 10pm Thanksgiving night and were out until about 3:00am. We then woke up and went back out for more bargains. I have to say that they most incredible store we went to was Best Buy. The line seemed to go on forever! Of course we had to take Jonathan to Five Guys and initiate him into the real hamburger club! (Jonathan, I know you're still thinking about that burger!)
The cousins all hung out, and just did kid stuff! Video games, movies, walks, Taco Bell, baseball, etc. the list goes on and on.
Here is a photo of our hotel on the way up to MO. It was located on the Arkansas/Texas boarder. Our suite was literally on the state line. Half of us were in Texas and the other half were in Arkansas. Gotta love the fun silly things we do to make family vacations memorable! (hee-hee!)
Besides the BBQ, desserts were great too!
When we arrived, there was a big sign on the front door!
Jonathan's head was brushing the ceiling inside of the Arch.
Looking out the small Arch windows.
This pic was taken at the top of the arch in the middle. On both sides of this pic are the right and left side bases of the arch.
Train full of coal passing by the Arch...headed for the North Pole possibly??
The grand Mississippi River
The Grafitti wall near the baseball stadium, Arch and Mississippi River.
Jonathan makin' the Turkey! "Step, Step, inject, inject, stir, stir..."
Ron and his sister Bobbi Jo
