Across Covid America - Tour of National Parks 2020 - Day 4

Day 4

11418 mileage

9:13 A.M.

7127 steps

Had to call Katie into action. Macy's was supposed to deliver some stuff before we left. That didn't' happen and I just got an email saying they are sitting on the front porch. Can't have a package sitting there in broad daylight for the next month. The raccoons remember. we might return to see them decked out in a cute tank top.  Katie jumped right on it and saved the day!

Another driving day. This one was going to be a short ride out to Kansas City which means we had plenty of time to enjoy what was around us. We drove to downtown St. Louis to start exploring the famous Arch. The park was eerily quiet since the main attraction wasn't open to the public. I could imagine the tons of people that would probably be crowding the park in a regular world. We strolled through to the North end and admired the amazing architecture of the tallest man-made monument in the Western hemisphere. G was always under the impression that the stainless steel clad arch spanned the width of the Mississippi River. It actually rises 630 feet on the western side of the river. 

For those of you that know me, you know how magnet crazy I am. I buy one from most places I visit and have them on an entire wall in my breakfast nook area. So imagine how upset I was not to be able to visit the Arch Gift Shop in order to add to my collection. I couldn't even spy a shop on the street around the Arch to look for one. AGG-ravating!

I checked out some other local attractions and found out about this Laumiere Sculpture Garden just a short drive away in Sunset Hills. We headed out that way to enjoy the 105 acre park filled with over 50 outdoor sculptures. There were a few more people milling around here since the park is open to the public. My favorite sculpture was this enormous eyeball. G's was the 10 foot tall deer. 

We drove for a bit and stopped by Stevens Lake Park in Columbia, MO to finish our leftovers from dinner. Then on to Kansas City for another dinner date with our friend, Travis. We asked for something with local flavor and he took us to Q39, the South Overland location, for some BBQ. We hadn't seen Travis since our Costa Rica tour at Christmas Time. It was great catching up. Happy Birthday, Trav!