Joely Sue Burkhart

We’ve lived in and visited some big cities before.  We drove through Dallas regularly when I was at TAMU.  Went to Houston once.  Lived in the Twin Cities area for nearly five years.  Drove through Kansas City many times when coming home to visit family.

None of these cities are as “bad” as St. Louis.  Every time we get in the car, That Man checks to make sure the doors are locked.  St. Louis just has that kind of atmosphere to it.

The traffic was horrid today, no matter where we went.  The hospital is within sight of the Arch.  Getting there and visiting Grandpa was no problem.  Leaving the hotel and finding the zoo–which on the map was a very short distance away–was an entirely different matter altogether.  Leaving the zoo and finding I44 again….  Insane.

I might complain about That Man a lot, but he can certainly find his way around a city much better than me.  I get turned around and can’t tell East from West.  I have no sense of direction.  We do much better with me acting as the eyes–watching for signs, reading directions–while he drives.  Of course, another adult in the van to manage the monsters would have been ideal!

Grandpa had a huge incision but is doing better and better.  He might actually be discharged tomorrow afternoon.  We visited him briefly, had breakfast (at the hotel) and lunch (at the hospital) with Grandma, and then finally headed to the zoo around 12:30 or so. 

I was rather disappointed.  The zoo admission was free, which sounds great until you start adding up all the “extras.”  Parking was $10.  Drinks and foods are always ridiculous at any kind of park (that’s why we ate in the crappy hospital cafeteria first).  We bought a big zoosipper mug for around $6 and all shared it, with $1 refills.  Unfortunately, MM chews on the straw, so it’s already a little dented.  The children’s zoo was $4/person.  Since the monsters really wanted to pet animals, we paid the $20 and were highly let down when we found only a few goats (no food to give them) and rabbits.  If I’d paid to get in the zoo and then paid again for the children’s zoo, I’d have been extremely hot.  As it was, I figure $20 admission to the whole thing was worth it.

The animals were mostly asleep and hidden, typical in miserable MO summer weather.  The giraffes and zebras were gorgeous, and I got several pictures of the monsters with them.  The gorillas, tigers, lions, etc. were all impossible to see or asleep in dark corners.  Bummer.  The air was sticky and humid, but the weather held until about 3:00 p.m.  We heard the thunder and headed for the gate, unfortunately missing the elephants.

Oh, and another ding at the gift shop when each monster picked out a small stuffed animal.  And That Man had to buy a hat because his bald head was frying.  Not to mention the disposable camera when we first entered the zoo.  All for less than 3 hours of entertainment and lots of whining.  (MM was crying as soon as we got out of the car because it was so hot!)  But questioning the kids in the van, they really did have a good time.  They were so tired that both MM and LM fell asleep on the way to the new hotel.

Which let me tell you, the extra $30 that this hotel cost for tonight is totally worth it.  The room is clean and large.  Still have free wireless internet.  The bed is a king with a pull out for the kids (last night we had two double beds–MM and LM ended up sleeping in Grandma’s room, and PM slept with me).  The shower and bathroom are spotless, unlike the moldy shower curtain last night.  *shudders*  And best of all?  The monsters and That Man are down at the pool and I’m enjoying the peace and quiet in the room alone!! 

Priceless.  If I hurry, I might even get a little writing done.