June

So, June is almost over. Where has the summer gone? Its been a pretty good one so far. Dear daughter is in Kampsville, Illinois for an archeology camp! She is having a really great time! We've talked a couple of times and written letters....there's a lost art! She will be there for 3 weeks total. She is in the second week.

Good friend J. and I took Lauren to camp on the 21st of June. We stopped in Hannibal at a great quilt shop! I left there a few bucks poorer... We visited the museum and had lunch at the Mark Twain Diner (they make their own Root Beer!). Then across the mighty Mississippi into Illinois and about a 35 minute drive to where this camp is. We got her settled (it was sooo hot and no air conditioning).

J and I then started our adventure to St. Louis, Mo. In case you don't know , and why would you, I HATE BRIDGES!!! So naturally, we had to cross every major river in a America!!!!!Several of which were only 2-lane and questionable in structure (by my way of thinking). Especially when we are forced to wait for the bridge in question to raise so a barge can pass. Oh, that was a highlight....

When we finally get to St. Louis, they were having a HEAT WAVE!! It is 95 degreesF. We arrive at our motel, and get checked in and settled in our room. It is about 7 pm. We decide to go to the Mexican restaurant, attached to the motel, for dinner. A nice margarita sounds yummy....

We walk in the restaurant, and there is NO AIR CONDITIONING!!!! It is like an oven in there. We order our food 'to go' but we have to wait for it so we have a margarita while we wait. Get the food, go back to our room, and eat it there.

Next day we are off and running to quilt shops and yarn shops in the greater St.Louis area. Several are not open because it is Monday. We went to Eureka, Mo. to a shop, Susie -Q's. It was very nice. The folks there were very helpful and informative. After that, we finally found Loopy Ewe, and on-line yarn shop that you have to call to set up an appt. to visit. Well worth the time and effort!

Ate lunch at Canyon Cafe in Fontenac Shopping Center. Fish tacos...YUMMY!! (Don't forget the Mango margarita!) Went to Williams Sonoma, Sur La Table (another broken Air conditioner!!), Bassinger Chocolates, and MAC makeup. Nice shopping, very upscale. The bathrooms alone were worth the visit! Each stall had its own toilet AND sink!!(I sound like Gomer Pyle...Gollie!)

Next, we went to the Quilted Fox. Across the road from the Fontenac Center. It was nice, but located on the second floor of a building...weird. Then on the the Container Store....OMG!! What a fun place.

Then we met with a friend of J's and his family at a coffee shop in Kirkwood. Had a nice visit. Then back to our hotel. Snacked on some chips and dip from the night before, knitted with some new needles and sock yarn I got at Loopy Ewe, watched a little tv and went to bed.

Got up in AM, had a so-so breakfast at the motel and back to Iowa. Had a great time, just wish it hadn't been above 95 degrees the entire time...

July 10 Hubby and I will go back to Kampsville and pick up dear daughter. Crossing a few more rivers, no doubt.