Summer Family Trip 2010: St. Louis/KC

Our August trip was an adventure, to say the least. Tom had been in KC at some meetings, so the kids and I met him up there. While Tom was in his meetings, we had a brief visit with Grandma…long enough to pick her nose.

 

These kids sure love her…and I have the suspicion she likes them, too.

We visited the cemetery and brought Grandpa letters.

We were then off to Galesburg, IL to visit their GREAT-Grandma. They had been begging to see her again. We stopped half way there…in a town that was literally God forsaken. I think He had forgotten all about this town and Satan had moved in. It was the Armpit of America. Nothing but filthy truck stops and run down hotels…and a McDonalds…because there are even McDonald’s in Hell. We wanted to get two adjoining rooms…but that wasn’t in the cards. The hotel manager said he had a “special room” we could rent for $150/night. Boy was it special. Just look at this beauty. Three Queens. I am itching just looking at it.

The following are pictures from the worst night’s sleep of our lives. We entered the disgusting room – to find it was at LEAST 120 degrees. It was on the second floor…windows shut…end of the day…during the hottest August on record. I called the front desk and told them the A/C was broken. They told me that they leave it off until someone checks in. Seriously. Not kidding.

The kids were ready to claw their eyes out. They hovered around the A/C with sweat dripping off of them. The old, rickety, air conditioner struggled to spit out luke warm air.

 

Bradley did NOT just take a shower. That is sweat.

Bryce showcases how desperate we were.

     

The kids took turn breathing the box fan air. Box fan compliments of the front desk…after I yelled.

Tom went to the store and bought a few more box fans…just to get us through the night. By bedtime we were all stripped down to our underwear. I have to admit that the sheets began to feel good…after being soaked with sweat they felt a little chilly. Bryce was so hot that he fell asleep on the floor. Even a toddler understands that hot air rises. I don’t even want to think about what was on that floor.

The next day we finally arrived and enjoyed time with Great Grandma and Aunt Ann and Uncle Roger. Pretty foxy for 90 years old…don’t ya think?

I have loved my Uncle Roger and Aunt Ann since I was a little girl. Best people on earth.

       

It was sad to say goodbye…but we will be back!!!

The following day we drove to St. Louis for some more fun. First on the list was Science Center. Very cool place. While we were there we went through an amazing Pirate exhibit, saw a great Imax film, and went to a show at the Planetarium.

 

    

The next day was the City Museum…Incredible place…going back soon!!! If you haven’t been here…you MUST take your kids!

   

 

 

 

It was SUCH  a fun place. Here is an official video:

City Museum 30 Sec Commercial from Tim Maupin on Vimeo.

It was the perfect ending to the summer. Our final hoo-rah.