Finland, Estonia Russia

Enjoyed our stay in Finland. Took ferry across to Fortress and next day spent the day in Old Town, Tallinn, Estonia. Such a rich history and influence of many languages and cultures.

GOODBYE ST. LOUIS AND HEADING HOME

It also turns out to be goodbye to sunny warmth.  We leave St. Louis and 80 degree weather and by the time we make it to Grand Forks it is 37 degrees.  On the way we empty the water and winterize the camper.  No more camping as we find a hotel in Grand Forks.

HISTORY

St. Louis was named after the French King.  There is an urban park in St. Louis called Forest Park.  It is larger than Central Park in NY.  It includes golf course, a zoo, art gallery, planetarium, history museum etc.  They do not charge entry fees to tour except to golf of course.  We caught the sunset outside the art gallery and suitable pictures to end my blog as we head home.

WE MADE IT TO REGINA AND SPENT THE NIGHT AND THEN DROVE TO HOME.  WE ARE HOME BY 6 PM ON SAT. MARCH 26TH, 2011.  WE HAVE HAD A WONDERFUL AND SAFE JOURNEY THAT INCLUDED SEEING AMERICAN COUSINS AND MEETING UP WITH ELEANOR AND JOHN IN FLORIDA.  WE HAVE MADE NEW FRIENDS ALONG THE WAY AND MAINTAINED CONTACT WITH HOME THROUGH SKYPE AND EMAILS.  BLESSED! HOME SWEET HOME!

ST. LOUIS BLUES

These pics are for Marcel.

St. Louis

We spend Monday and Tuesday camping right downtown St. Louis.  We bike to the train station that has been revived.  Not a match to Grand Central but still unique and beautiful. 
Next day we bike to the arch, 2 mile ride.  We really are making good use of our bikes.
Dan has apparently been anxious to have a chance to go up the arch as he says he will scratch it off his bucket list.  We watch the film that explains the construction of the arch started in 1962 and completed in 1965.  Unbelievable!  This is a monument erected to honour the pioneers, the Lewis and Clark explorers and those who ventured the great Mississippi and the opening of the west.

St. Louis and its amazing arch.

                                                     TRAIN STATION

VIEW FROM INSIDE LOOKOUT OF ARCH TO THE MISSISSIPPI

                                         ST. LOUIS HOME OF THE CARDINALS

HOTEL NEAR GRAND OLE OPRY

Beautiful place with a river running through this hotel, inviting gardens with water falls etc.

General Lee

These picture are from the TV show, Dukes Of Hazard, and these pics are for you, René.  We love the memories of you having this car as a toy and brrrrom, brrrroming around our house as a kid.

HUMAN SPIRIT

These pictures were taken along the shore of the Mississippi... the mighty Mississippi.  It is in a park named after the young man in the small craft who rescued people who were close to drowning from a capsized boat .  Seeing the stength of the current in this river, one is awed that he could save anyone.  He made 6 trips back and forth to shore to rescue 32 people from their sinking boat.  They were all engineers and caucasion.  This young man, as depicted in this sculpture, eminates the human spirit at its best.  You are silenced by his courage and his humanity.