Bonne Terre, Missouri Trip.

Bonne Terre, Missouri trip



So, we took a trip to Missouri several months ago During the lock down, to escape Illinois. As we left the state we stopped to pay our respects to ol' Popeye. . Then, we crossed the bridge to freedom.

Our first stop was to hike at Hawn State Park. It was a beautiful day! After the hike we stopped at a road side business and bought some yard art.

If you want freedom, sometimes you gotta run to the hills. So, we went up to Bonne Terre, Mo. Where we stayed in a caboose, at a historic depot.

After checking in we went and ate lunch in a real restaurant, at a place called Hub's. We had salads, fried mushrooms, and Chicken Wangs! It was great! Then, we had dinner that evening in Farmington at a place called the 102 Tap House. We had wood fired Pizza and Pasta.

We did some sight seeing at St. Francois State Park.  Where people were floating in the river. It looked like a great place to do a float trip, and they have a business set up for that purpose called Cherokee Landing

 

Bonne Terre has an old mine that can be toured by walking or by boat. You can also go Scuba diving down in the mine.  Bonne Terre was built around this old lead mine.

It was just a short get away, so it was time for us to go, way too soon.  As we left Bonne Terre, we stopped at a flea market and bought some more yard art.

Then, we went down to St. Genevieve, Mo.  where we played disc golf. Afterward, we were drenched with sweat on the humid day so we washed up in a bathroom. Then, we went shopping in the historic district, where we bought some ice cream and a fancy bra, while checking out the historic French Creole buildings.

We were going to ride the ferry back across the river, to the Illinois territory, but it was closed due to flooding.

We greatly enjoyed our trip. It was much needed. The cost was low, and could be made much lower by camping and picnicking.

Alexandria, Virginia

Around the beginning of March, my wife and I took a trip to Washington D.C. it was a work trip for her. But, we decided to tack on a couple of days for ourselves. So, instead of spending money on each other for Valentines day, we used the money to go to Alexandria, Virginia. This photo essay is about Alexandria. I will do one on D.C. later on. We really loved Alexandria.

Alexandria Virginia is one of the oldest towns in the country. It is about 20 minutes from D.C., and is where a lot of history took place.  Robert E. Lee, John L. Lewis, and Jim Morrison lived in Alexandria.

Alexandria is right on the Potomac River, and has a beautiful river front. It is home to the largest working art museum in America, located inside an old torpedo factory.

Old Town Alexandria is full of history. Every where you turn there's a plaque on an old brick wall talking about who did what in this building. We ran across the home of Robert E. Lee, John L. Lewis, and Gadsby's Tavern which has served dinner since 1770, and served most of the founding fathers. The historic district is full of art museums, restaurants, and shops of all kinds. The seafood was delightful.

We went to George Washington's Mount Vernon, which was where the General has his working farm. It was a wonderful place.

This is the back of the General's house. When you arrive, you purchase a ticket to tour the house. Then, they move you through it and you end up outside here in the back yard. This porch is lined with rocking chairs that overlook the Potomac.

This is the view from the porch. The government has purchased all the land on the other side of the river, in order to ensure that the view remains exactly as Washington would have seen it.

This is Washington's Tomb. I was surprised, because compared to Lincoln's Tomb. Washington's is very modest.

After you see Washington's Tomb, you can go down another path, through this arched entry, that leads to where the enslaved people who worked the farm, were buried on a hillside. There was no marker until research was done to find where they were. It's hard to reconcile the fact that the father of our country who fought for freedom, and helped create the Constitution, had slaves and buried them in an unmarked grave, like they were old mules. But, I guess that a lot of rich powerful people have buried poor workers in unmarked graves throughout history, regardless of skin color. Why should he be any different? Some people sit in luxury, while others suffer and die to keep them there. That happens today, as much as it did back then.

This is the sculpture that is in the visitor's center where you first come in, and buy your ticket.

This is the wharf at the bottom of the hill below the house. It sits on the Potomac. Washington had a pretty good spread. He loved farming, and put every part of his land to that use. It's a pretty awesome farm.

This is the mill where the grain was threshed out. Washington spent time designing it to make sure it served his needs.

While in Alexandria, we also visited Frank Lloyd Wright's Pope-Leighey house.

We try to find Frank Lloyd Wright houses every place we travel. This one is one of my favorites.

This is the view from our hotel in the morning over the Potomac. We stayed at the Hotel Indigo, right down on the river in Old Town. The art, shops, and restaurants are all in walking distance and the river front was right behind the building. It was delightful.

Alexandria, Virginia, has something for everyone, and we will be going back if able. We like the idea of spending our money on travel instead of wasting it on getting presents for holidays. If you calculate how much you spend on presents, going out to eat, and all of that it's a pretty good chunk. Then, if you spend some time trying to figure out how to make your money stretch, it's easy to travel more.  You only live once. That pretty piece of jewelry will sit in a box, long after you are in a box. Go live life.

Heinz Hall: Pittsburgh, PA.

Heinz Hall: Pittsburgh, PA

     It was our first night in Pittsburgh when my wife and I went for a stroll from the Renaissance hotel down to Market Square to see the Christmas tree, Ice Skaters, and other festivities.        

     As we walked we passed Heinz Hall, which is a historic Pittsburgh landmark where musicals, plays, and programs are performed. As we passed, my wife was looking at the posters on the wall, to see the up and coming events. While I was watching the shadows around us, ready to fight off any attackers. All of a sudden she let out a scream and danced a jig; which led me to believe we were being mugged.

     She pointed at the wall and said “Handel’s Messiah!! It’s playing!!  Can we go?!!"

     I had no idea what she was talking about. She knows a lot more stuff in this sort of area than I do. It’s kind of freakish really. She can name any actor or musician and song, and tell me about their kids, and whether they are alive or dead, and exactly what drug they OD’d on and when it happened. She constantly amazes me.

     So, here I was; amazed, and completely ignorant. I of course knew that Handel was a composer. But, was not sure why she was excited about this thing I had never heard of.

  

     “You’ll love it!” she said. 

   

     I did not want to appear stupid or unwilling to “Love it”, so I ignored the screaming pain from my wallet warning me that this was going to cost me money. I grabbed her hand and started heading toward the theater door.

      “Let’s go see what it costs.” I said.

      We entered the theater and my wife was overjoyed. I love making her happy. But, I hate spending money, so there was a struggle. I still had no idea what this was. I am just a simple hill billy from the mountains of Illinois, after all.

      

     We asked the lady at the counter about seats, and of course, all the cheap seats were sold out. The lady quoted us some prices, and showed us some seats. Then, we thanked her and went outside to discuss it.

    

      I could tell by looking at my wife’s face that the discussion was over. So, I said “Heck with it.” And she squealed as we went inside and purchased the tickets. I had an aisle seat, so I would not need to talk to anyone or be touched unnecessarily. We were both happy, although my wallet ached for a while, but it gradually felt better as reality sunk in.

     

      When the night came for the show, we dressed up in the best clothes we had packed for our trip. We walked down the busy city street lined with buildings, and entered the Hall for the show. It was beautiful inside.

      

     Heinz Hall was first built as the Anderson Hotel. Then, in1927 it was turned into the Loew’s Penn Theater, by Marcus Loew. It was considered the most magnificent theater between New York, and Chicago. Then, in 1971, after 3 years and $10 million dollars the theater was restructured by the Heinz Trust to become Heinz Hall.

      

     We took some pictures, and hob knobbed with the rich, then moseyed on up to our seats, which were located somewhere in the 5^th or 6^th balcony, just below the Ozone Layer. We were assured however, when we bought the tickets, that it was the best place to hear the music.

      

     My seat was not near an aisle. Not sure what happened but I was surrounded by people. All kinds of people. There were Amish people in front of me, and a skinny Asian dude beside me.

    

      One of the Amish women seemed to be eyeballing me. I figured she was wondering if I could plow a field or raise a barn. The Asian dude was skinny enough that I had plenty of room to stretch and steal his arm rest.

      

     My wife was ecstatic. She bounced around in her seat like an inmate in the electric chair. She was thrilled watching the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Mendelssohn Choir, and Opera Singers, getting into position.

      

     Eventually the lights dimmed and everyone clapped. I clapped too. I assumed that someone knew why we were clapping, and I would follow his lead.

      

     Then, the music started and it was phenomenal, Handel’s Messiah is about the Birth, Death and Resurrection of Christ the Messiah, told through music. It was written by Handel through inspiration in a few weeks and is considered a masterpiece. I enjoyed it immensely.

      

     At one point a particular song began playing. It was kind of familiar to me, and I was like, “Hey, I know this one. That’s pretty cool.” And at the exact second that I thought this, 2000 people instantly stood up; everyone except for me. I was just sitting there, holding my coat in my lap and looking at some Amish lady’s butt.

      

     So, I quickly stood up. Holding my coat, and my program, trying to behave like a normal person at the symphony. My wife was being an expert. She knew this was coming but I had no clue. I felt the same way I feel at church when people just randomly stand up. I have yet to figure out what the signal is that gets them all to stand. I just assume it’s because they got enough money in the offering plate, and they are celebrating.

      

     However, in this case everybody stands during the “Hallelujah Chorus” It’s traditional and makes sense. I don’t know the real reason, but I assume it’s because the song is about the Resurrection, when Christ over comes death, and humans over come death as well in Him. This is definitely a reason to stand. Again, I’m assuming, and I like what I assume. So, that’s how I’m leaving it.

      

     After the show, and like 5 standing ovations, we exited the theater. We flowed down the beautiful gilded and carpeted steps like a massive river of humanity. I was trying to put on my coat, and hold on to my program, while also hanging on to my wife, so I didn’t lose her. Some rich guy might snatch her up. Or some Amish woman might grab me, and take me to the homestead and force me to plow her field.

      

     We exited the building into the chilly night. And I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed the Symphony. Handel’s Messiah was wonderful. Heinz Hall was great, the Pittsburgh Symphony, Mendelssohn Choir, and Opera singers, did a fantastic job.