Arch

Yesterday we moved from Memphis to St Louis…actually, we’re on the east side of the Mississippi in Cahokia, IL.  The campground has a pool and the heat makes that a very refreshing and popular place for the kiddos.

Today is Father’s day and the kids showered me with gifts.  Brielle gave me some thumb tacks and fishing lures accompanied by a music themed, Memphis style card she made.  Caden gave me a half cup of coffee and his usual busy and super creative card.  The half cup of coffee originated in NYC where he saw a half coffee mug that said “NYC is so expensive I can only afford half a cup”.  He really wanted to buy it for me but I told him it was too expensive for the utility it provided.  Thus was born his idea to convert one of our existing mugs to a half cup with duct tape covering half of the opening and a note that said ” my dad is so cheap he wouldn’t even let me buy him a half of a mug…so I’m gonna let him put some of his cheap instant coffee in this mug with duct tape over half the top”.  Dacen made me a really cool bass guitar shaped card and a Gibson guitar pick threaded through the paper strings.  I also got a cool 5th wheel shaped picture frame that they kept hidden from me in this tiny house since back in Virginia.  The kids all gave me lots of hugs and kisses and told me again how much they have enjoyed our trip…that’s the best gift of all!!
Father's day
After a lazy morning with breakfast crepes we had lunch then headed over to the Missouri side of the river to tour the Arch.  We purchased tickets for 1:30 but we sure had to wait in line a long time.  But at least it was cool where we waited. Then we took the tram to the top and checked out the views from the itty bitty windows.  I really liked how you could see the arch’s shadow.
Shadow
Back down at the bottom we watched the movie on the building of the arch…very 80’s style documentary.  It had great footage of the construction and the information was good but the delivery was poor.  I’m sure the NPS doesn’t have a lot of money for such things but I hope an update to that film is in the works.  The kids decided to do the Jr Ranger program as it was pretty short and then we went in to the gift shop to get some post cards and smashed pennies.  And it was there that we found a money machine.  This machine gives you more money than you put in.  A guaranteed 2% return on your money.  No joke….check it out…
Free money!

The renovation work at the base of the arch makes it hard getting that “money shot” picture but we did our best.  I didn’t think I’d be very impressed with the arch…but it is quite spectacular to see in person.  It is simple in design but a real engineering challenge to build.  My eyes were constantly drawn toward the beautiful piece of architecture.  The arch is part of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial which celebrates “Thomas Jefferson’s role in opening the West, to the pioneers who helped shape its history, and to Dred Scott who sued for his freedom in the Old Courthouse.”  I loved that we seemed to connect several TJ dots from our time at Monticello through Washington DC and now to Gateway Arch.  I also felt like we were able to celebrate our family’s pioneering spirit as we have explored the south and eastern US in our modern covered wagon.  Our freedom too is something to celebrate.  Not that we can compare our “slavery” to anything close to Mr Scott’s but we exercised our freedom to travel this great nation, to question “normal life”, to break free from the grip of our possessions and to stretch ourselves in ways that will make future would-be impossibilities possible.

Family at the arch

Back at home the kids and I went to the pool to beat the heat before we had Sloppy Joe’s and coleslaw for dinner.  Somehow the kids talked us into watching a movie before bed and since it was Father’s Day I got to choose.  So we watched one of my favorite movies, “The Princess Bride”.  I like more manly movies too like Braveheart and Gladiator but this one has it all: humor, action, adventure and twue wuv!!  Plus we own the movie.

Thank you family for making this the best Father’s Day I’ve ever had and one I know I will never forget. 

Tacks and worms!

Card

Half a cup of coffee

Rock on!

Father's day

Arch

Caden

Waiting for tram

In the tram

At the top

Kiddos

Shadow

The girls

Court house

Love high

Cardinals

Under the arch

Family at the arch

Free money!

Our arch

Jr Rangers

To the pool

Goofing around

Shoulder rides

Caden holding Dacen holding Brielle

 

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