September 30, Day 109 - In St. Charles

We headed off to St. Louis in the marina courtesy van around 10:30 this morning and let Linda set our course on the GPS. This took us to a lovely neighborhood somewhere in Missouri, but nowhere near the St. Louis Arch, which is where we thought we were going. We eventually got to the Arch and after walking around the park for a while, took the tram to the top.

Tram is a word they use very loosely to describe the coffin type orb that they squeeze 5 bodies into for the trip to the top. One of our party was claustrophobic and was not doing well by the time we got to the top. Once there, the view was spectacular. We had terrific weather and you could see forever, so we got a few good pictures.

We were all anxious to try some of the famous St. Louis ribs and Michael asked a friendly policeman where the best place to get ribs would be. He promptly recommended “Pappy’s Smokehouse”. We plugged the address into the Garmin and away we went. Now, we can all provide the same recommendation – it was fantastic. You have to behave though, the place is full of policemen. There must be a HQ someplace close.

Next, we took our full tummies to the Anheuser-Busch Brewery for a tour of the place. Wow, this was a very interesting trip. It was free of charge and lasted a couple of hours. The stables for the Clydesdales was pretty slick – not like any stable we have ever seen. No smell either – not sure how they do that. We also spotted the Dalmatian sleeping in the stall with one of the horses – cool. At the end, we were awarded with two free samples of beer. We only had one because Gerry was driving the van.

On the way back to the marina, we stopped at a Verizon store to help our friends, Michele & Carole (from Montreal) get a Verizon card to give them better internet service while they are in the states. They have had a lot of trouble with their “Rogers” card from Canada.

We got back to the marina around 7:00. It had been a very enjoyable day and we were very appreciative of the courtesy van the marina had given us.

The Gateway Arch in St. Louis


Linda at the top of the Arch

The view from the top --- you can see Busch Stadium

Another shot from the top

The Mississippi River as seen from the Arch

Looking straight down --- you can see the bottom of one side of the Arch

A shadow of the Arch taken from the top

The Mississippi River and a couple of river boats

Another shot of the Arch

The "historic" section of St. Louis. Guess the truck didn't get the memo about NO PARKING.

A street shot of the old historic area

Street corner and clock

Gerry wouldn't need his parents. He meets the age requirement.

At Pappy's Smokehouse .... this is one of the pigs that welcomes you

... and another colorful pig

The gang having fantastic ribs

Arriving at the Anheuser-Busch Brewery

Entering the stables .... Yes, the stables. That's a chandelier you see in the doorway

.... and here are the Clydedales (along with a Dalmation)

The old clock tower building at the brewery


This Bud's for you

This place was as fancy as a 5-star hotel



99 bottles of beer on the wall .... 99 bottles of beer, take one down and pass it around and 98 bottles of beer on the wall ..... you get the idea


WOW, that's a lot of beer