Day 1: St.Louis & Columbia

Day 1 started at 3 a.m. After celebrating Aidan's birthday at Greer Stadium we loaded the kids up in the RV to sleep. They slept surprisingly well as I continued to unpack our gear and set it up in the "coach." Megan joined me around midnight while Brent slept in the house since he was due behind the wheel at 3. Somehow, he managed to tough it out through the early morning hours and we arrived in St. Louis on schedule. We had NO trouble finding a place to park the rig which was a huge concern. The Gateway Arch is within walking distance from plenty of RV spots. However, had we arrived even a couple of hours later, it wouldn't have been so easy. The lots were full when we left. 

We got to the Arch by 9 a.m. where we cleared security as tight as any airport only a few minutes later. When we got to the ticket booth, however, we were told that the wait would be over an hour to get a tram to the top and cost a small fortune. The kids were more excited to tour the Museum of the West inside the lobby of the Arch. Even better, it was free. We spent the morning checking out the stagecoaches and stories of the Louisiana Purchase. The kids were thrilled. Everything was going according to plan and better. After the museum, the kids were satisfied with returning to the RV for lunch. After lunch, with the help of Megan's Garmin, we found Grant's Farm with no trouble. 

We arrived at Grant's Farm thrilled to be enjoying yet another of St. Louis' free attractions. Parking was a bit steep, but all told, it averaged $5 a person. Once inside, it was fabulously organized. We were ushered directly to a tram that took us on a tour of the grounds. The farm was once the homestead of U.S. Grant. His first home was built there soon after marrying his wife whose family owned the property. It was later acquired by the Anhauser-Busch family who turned it into a nature preserve full of exotic and protected animals. The kids loved seeing bison roaming so close to our tram. The tram eventually stops at the Tier Garten and petting zoo. Abby and Ella were a little freaked out by the aggressive nature of the goats, but Aidan ate it up. The girls much preferred the carousel. Mom and Dad enjoyed the FREE tastings of beer while the kids ate $5 kettle corn. I guess there really is no such thing as a free lunch. We saw the famous clydesdales and Miss Budweiser, the donkey who wants to be a clydesdale. It was a fantastic afternoon. The only hitch was when I had to convince the kids that the gift shop contained live alligators that snack on kids to keep them from crying for the less than free kiddie-crack that was sold there. They bought it and we kept them moving.

Tonight, we are staying in a campground in Columbia, MO, the home of the University of Missouri. I know there has to be a Starbucks in this town. Megan's Garmin will surely find it.

After figuring out all of our hookups, we set up the portable Coleman grill and barbequed some chicken. The kids fell asleep worn out and happy as clams in the master bedroom while watching a VHS of Aladdin. If tomorrow goes as smoothly, we are on course for the experience of a lifetime. This is incredible!