CAKE AT MUSEUMS

We have had “almost perfect” sunny and comfortable weather the whole weekend.  We took the T-bird for a ride each day.  We went to a few estate sales.  One of the places in Ladue, where wealthy people live, I saw their outdoor pool and it was bigger than my entire house!

On Saturday, May 24^th, my husband spent the afternoon repairing the fence in our backyard.  The northwest section of the fence sustained damage during one of the storms earlier this year.  The strong wind knocked down a panel and broke a couple of the boards.   Today, Monday, May 26^th, Ralphie spent almost the whole morning finishing up the repair.  The fence looks like new, well, at least it looks better without the big 4x4 holding it up.

Because of the typical hot and extreme humid summer in St. Louis, we don’t spend much time outdoor so this weekend we try to take advantage of the comfortable weather before the hot temperature arrives.  Today we ate lunch and again dinner out in the patio.  I got a couple of mosquito bites and my husband had none!  He said because I was so sweet.  I disagreed – I believe the mosquitoes were looking for Chinese food! 

When the hot weather finally arrives, we plan to spent time visiting the museum, going to the movie or simply staying in the basement!

HEARTLAND MUSEUM OF MILITARY VEHICLES - LEXINGTON, NEBRASKA

Sunday, September 4th - We were at Heartland Museum of Military Vehicles for almost 2 hours. My father-in-law served in World War II and being an engineer/mechanically handy man, my husband paid extra attention to the machines on display. CP was pleasantly surprised to find the M16 Half Track. He remembered that his Dad told him that it was the vehicle Pa drove during the war.

There are tanks and helicopters outside the museum. Inside the large building, there are over 60 restored vehicles, both combat machines and support units. Military decorations, clothing and flags were also on displayed. The museum was created to honor Veterans for their services and sacrifices as well as to provide educational lessons about the weapons of wars. Visit www.heartlandmuseum.com for more information.

On the north side of the museum, off I-80, was the display of the Fall of Saigon. The display includes a helicopter up on a building, ready to take off while the people frantically were trying to climb up the ladder to the helitopter. The black plate steel silhouettes were supposed to be the Vietnamese who worked for the Southern government and knew that they had to get out of the country before the Communist took over Saigon. Many of these people, mostly soldiers and personnel working for the U.S. agencies, were left behind and spent years in prison or some simply disappeared and their families never knew what happened to them.

Monday, September 5th - We got up early and checked out of the hotel so we could be on our way out of Sidney, Nebraska. We waited until we got to Alliance to get breakfast. Before getting out of Dodge, we visited Chimney Rock and Carhenge. At 10:50 a.m. we were so happy to be in South Dakota.

TREASURES OF NAPOLEON

Saturday, March 5th was a misty day. The rain started on Friday night around 7:30 p.m. and continued to drizzle until Saturday afternoon.

On Sunday, March 6th, we went to Delmar Loop then to Missouri History Museum. It was a nice sunny day. Since we stayed in all day on Saturday, we decided that it was nice to get out. We went to Gyro House in the Loop for lunch.After lunch, we went to Missouri History Museum to see the exhibit of Treasures of Napoleon. The exhibition showcases some of his most personal possessions including Legion of Honour medal, clothing, handkerchief, private letters and many artifacts bearing his famous signature. There are many paintings depicted the famous Emperor leading the troops on the battle field to victory.I really enjoyed the exhibit and plan to read more about this enigmatic figure and how he changed the course of world history. CP commented that after attending the concert by Philharmonic of Poland on Wednesday, then this special exhibit, he felt so cultural! Too bad this exhibit ends April 3rd. Qaptain Qwerty would have enjoyed it as he also is very cultural - haa haa.

81st STREET MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY

My husband would have loved to spend the whole day or more, at the Museum of Natural History.

Regretfully, we got of the train, took these photos and got on the next train as we were running out of time on the last day of our week long visit to NYC last November.

I SAW A LITTLE OLD LADY FROM PASADENA

We arrived in Pasadena at 3:23 p.m. on Tuesday, June 29th after passing a little old lady driving a little Nash Rambler! The Feynes Mansion, a Beaux-Arts style built in 1905, currently houses the Pasadena Museum of History.

Come January 1, 2011, when we watch the 97th Rose Bowl game, we would be able to say "We were there!" - well, we were just outside the stadium - haa haa

Back in 1890, instead of the modern well-known Tournament of Roses or the televised Rose Bowl parade, foot races, tugs of war and even burro races were held along this famous route (above photo) in Pasadena.

The Golden Spur and its Giant Boot still “kicking” after all these years! This Golden Spur Restaurant in Glendora is now an upscale establishment. It was far from its humble beginning in 1920’s when it was a “ride-up” hamburger stand serving customers who rode up to the counter on horses!

I love this photo of the American flags lining the main street in Azusa. I also like the story where the town got its name "Azusa" from a local general store which claimed that it had "everything from A to Z that made in the USA"!

The Edwards Azusa Foothill Drive-In Theatre provided entertainment from 1961 to 2000. The theatre was able to accommodate up to 1,600 automobiles. The Azusa Pacific University purchased the land and demolished all, including the screen, thankfully the entrance sign was saved.

FRIDAY SKY - CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - THE BEGINNING OF ROUTE 66

Last Saturday, June 12th, we drove from St. Louis to Romeoville, Illinois, spent the night there, got up real early Sunday morning to avoid the traffic going to downtown Chicago and took these photos. There it was, the Begin of Historic Route 66 sign at Lake Shores Drive and Adams Street.

Several streets were closed in preparation for the Chicago Blues Festival. We had to drive around the blocks a few times, following one-way streets to get to the Field Museum to find "Sue" all dressed up in a Blackhawks jersey, joining in the celebration of bringing the Stanley Cup Championship to the Windy City. We did not stay long, only for me to take a few photos since my husband thought the people in Chicago (or any big cities such as New York) were a threat to his precious Mustang (we left the T-bird at home since it was too hot for a convertible).

It was a nice weekend trip, minus the heavy rains and the thunderstorm. We drove part of Route 66 on the way back on Sunday. Now that we completed part of Route 66 from the beginning in Chicago to Oklahoma City, perhaps we should take the trip all the way to the End of the Mother Road in Santa Monica, California!

IN MEMORIAL - THE GATES OF TIME

"The Gates of Time - These monumental twin gates frame the moment of destruction - 9:02 a.m. - and mark the formal entrance to the Memorial. The East Gate represents 9:01 a.m. on April 19, 1995, and the innocence of the city before the attack. The West Gate represents 9:03 a.m., the moment we were changed forever, and the hope that came from the horror in the moments and days following the bombing." www.oklahomacitynationalmemorial.org.

"We come here to remember those who were killed, those who survived and those changed forever. May all who leave here know the impact of violence. May this memorial offer comfort, strength, peace, hope and serenity." Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum www.oklahomacitynationalmemorial.org

And Jesus Wept.