10/03/07
Springfield, Ill.
Odometer Reading 11130.8
Spent the night in a rest stop in Springfield. While I was making dinner, Ron was again cleaning the bugs off the windshield. Once he finished that project he proceeded to set the TV channels. Oddly enough he shut the TV off. I thought it was strange because we usually like to listen to the local news and weather. After dinner I put the TV on and realized why he had shut the TV off. Here in the great flat state of Illinois they have TORNADOS!!!! There it was on the TV a Tornado warning right in Springfield. There had been severe weather and a funnel sighting in the sky but no touch down at that point in time. The weathermen were talking about how serious this was and to take cover in the basement, under heavy furniture or in an inside room of your home until the warning was lifted. We had none of those options in an RV. I promptly put my shoes back on and expected Ron to follow suit – but he did not. He thought I was over reacting but how surprised would he be if he got blown to bits. Needless to say he never put his shoes on and slept through the thunder and lightening and heavy downpours while I contemplated dying. (I have an inherent fear of Tornados hence Ron shut the TV off hoping I wouldn’t find out!!!!!!) By 10:30 PM the warning was lifted and I did manage to sleep despite the heavy rain and wind. There was some damage to an area about 6 miles East of us from a microburst and that is when Ron really believed we had been, in fact, in danger. The only place we would have had to run to were the restrooms at the rest stop. Not agreat place to take cove but better then nothing.
Pulled into the St. Louis RV Park right in the center of the city and close to all tourist attractions around 10 AM. It’s a great location with very helpful people. The proprietors gave us some tips on where to go and what to see.
First stop was the Gateway between the East and West. The Gateway Arch was built to honor Thomas Jefferson and the architect wanted to build something unique that would last for a thousand years. The Arch frames the Old Court House in downtown St. Louis making a beautiful scene
with the silver of the arch and the gold dome of the courthouse shining in the sun. We took the ride to the top of the 643 - foot concrete and stainless steel mammoth in a tiny little car that reminded me of a dryer tub.
All claustrophobics or very tall people should avoid this adventure at all costs. The view from the top was beautiful and walking along the curve of the arch was surreal.We also took a paddleboat ride up
and down the Mississippi on the Tom Sawyer. The current on the Mississippi is very fast and there is a lot of debris floating in the water.
The Captain pointed out the historical landmarks along the river and we had a great panorama of the Arch and St. Louis. St Louis is a beautiful city with some spectacular architecture.Next it was on to the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Lewis.
We got there late but did get into the Basilica before it closed. This church is the most spectacular we have ever seen even more beautiful then the Cathedrals in Spain. Enormous in size it has multiple rooms, huge stained glass windows and high ceilings with the most incredible scenes done in mosaic tiles. Pictures do not do it justice 
because you cannot capture the colors and beauty of the frescos. A must see for anyone religious or not. Then it was back 
to the campground fro a night’s rest before tomorrow’s adventure. 
No comments:
Post a Comment