We took our "suite" time getting up on the 10th day of our trip. Our goal was to visit the St. Louis Arch...located in the Thomas Jefferson Westward Expansion Memorial site. The museum, with theaters, is located under the Arch. We made our way from the hotel to the Arch...a pretty good walk considering how HOT it was. Once there I waited in a bit of a line, but we nabbed tickets for a show on Lewis & Clark, and a tram ride up the Arch. Getting to the top is a unique experience with visitors shuttled up in egg-like, claustrophobic contraptions that take about 4 minutes to rise to the top. Once there the view is amazing, but the area a wee-bit tight. They let you stay as long as you want, but there's not a lot to see - especially with the small windows - but well-worth the visit. We left, and soon headed north to Normal.
The drive went well, and after finding our hotel we made our way to the "Corn Crib" to check out the Cornbelter's - an Independent team in their first year. Can't say I liked the stadium that much - pulled back from the field, and the scoreboard was pushed back as well. The foul territories were HUGE thanks to this. I made arrangements for Sam to shadow a reporter, who was in an unused, but air conditioned suite...THANK GOD! It was totally hot, humid and zero wind...by far the worst weather at any game we experienced. The funny thing was the Cornbelter's were playing the Evansville Otters...and so we made our way to their broadcast booth were we found Mike once again...this time sweating it up since no air was in the press boxes (???). After that Sam settled in with the reporter, Randy, and followed what turned out to be a great game by the Cornbelter's pitcher. Here's a guy who had a woeful 0-2, 8.5+ ERA but goes seven NO-HIT innings. He comes out for a reliever who takes the no-hit into the 9th. Sam is going CRAZY at this point, but alas the Otters' first batter slaps a single. Fantastic way to finish the last game tho. When we got back to the hotel, we found out the pool was closed, but he gates were open and the lights underwater on. Hence "Operation Cool Pool" began as we snuck in for a good hour + swim while no staff noticed...NICE!
The final day of our trip was spent at a children's museum in Normal. Not sure what to expect, we actually spent a good 3 hours at that place while Sam interacted with other kids, climbed stuff and splashed around in the water exhibit. More good times :) From here we hit the road for home, but not before an unplanned detour for gas north of Normal where a monument to the old Route 66 was erected next to the station. This monument consists of several hundred feet of the actual roadbed of the 66, with signs alongside guiding visitors to significant places on the road in that town. REALLY COOL!
Then it was finally off for home. As I pulled into our driveway I noticed that we covered 2700 miles in our 11-day jaunt - an amazing trip that Sam called his best ever. I have to say the Lord was VERY good to us throughout...and we both thank HIM for bringing us through safely...with a HUGE pile of memories to cherish always!
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