Fun and Games Dept

164A.365, originally uploaded by iMachias.

Well, sort of tailgating. Earl and I went downtown for the MLB All Star Game 2009 festivities tonight. The streets were jammed with baseball fans and their fans. We enjoyed some food, a few drinks and doing the people watching. We found a good spot on a pedestrian bridge to watch it all.

After folks starting heading into the stadium or drifting off to their own parties we made our way to Union Station and the Hard Rock Café where we watched the pre-game stuff. Sheryl Crow’s rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner” was great and was punctuated by a hush over the restaurant as she sang. The hush was followed by a loud rumble; it was then that I realized that the Stealth B-2 Bomber that was passing over the baseball game was also passing over the restaurant; half the patrons ran out to see it. It was an awesome sight.

We watched a little bit of the game before hopping on the MetroLink and heading back to the hotel. We did a LOT of walking today. I think we are going to call it an early night.

Earl and I are kicking back on the pace today and sort of just exploring St. Louis in a non-chalant way. Today we started the day at the Sciencenter.

Water Exhibit / Landscaping at the entrance to the St. Louis Sciencenter

There are many exhibits, displays and opportunities for interaction so that folks, especially young folks, can learn all sorts of things about our world. We decided to watch the feature presentation in the OmniMax theatre: Grand Canyon Adventure: River At Risk. It was my first time in an OmniMax theatre and I must say that the experience is well worth the admission. At times your senses can get overwhelmed but a quick glance away from the action and you’re fine.

Much like Animal Kingdom or Epicot at Walt Disney World, our visit to the Sciencenter got me thinking about what we can do back home to give back to Mother Earth. Earl and I decided to replace all of our toilets (which need replacing anyway) with more water conservation models and to change the shower heads as well. We already use a front loading washing machine, which uses considerably less water than a top loader, so we are already on the right track.

After the Sciencenter we stopped at the local Trader Joe’s to stock the hotel suite with a few healthy snacks and some breakfast goods. We are now revving up to hop back on the MetroLink and head into the city to continue the adventure.

Intermission at The MUNY., originally uploaded by iMachias.

The celebrities were out in celebration of my birthday as Earl took me to see “Godspell” at The MUNY at Forest Park. That’s right, real live celebrities smiled as they walked by; it was none other than Georgia Engel (most famous for playing Ted Baxter’s wife, Georgette, on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show”) herself. Some claim she was making her way to rehearsals for her appearance in “The Music Man”, but I really think she was there to wish me a happy birthday with her trademark wide smile. Our eyes met. She didn’t say the words “Happy Birthday” but the spirit was certainly present.

Anyways, Earl took me to see “Godspell”. One of my favourite musicals, “Godspell” is a fun show to watch because the music is groovy in an early 70s way (and now with a 21st century twist) and because the script is so open to interpretation each production is unique. This show was no different; it was the first time I had seen the musical take place on a playground. Interestingly enough, the order of musical numbers was rearranged significantly. The instrumentation and vocals were pretty true to the early 1970s version of the movie, though there was a touch of American Idol going on with some of the solos, but the reordering of the numbers brought a different meaning to “A Beautiful City” in particular, as that was used to close the show instead of the reprise of “Prepare Ye” and “Day By Day”.

I have to admit that I was completely entranced with the two individuals providing the sign-language of the show. They worked together and kept within the emotion and timbre of each scene. I have seen many sign language interpreters do a rather robotic translation of their given task, these two individuals were animated to the point of being in sync with the performers but not outdoing them. I was pleased to see the cast recognise them during curtain calls.

One thing that bothered me about the show is the need for a verbal and written announcement to remain seated until curtain calls have been completed. It irks me that some folks bolt out of the auditorium during the last number or closing monologue of a show or even during the curtain calls. If you can’t find it in yourself to applaud for a few moments during curtain calls, recognising the talent for their hard work, no matter how deserved, then quite frankly you should buy the cast album and enjoy the show from your car stereo because that’s apparently where you’re all fired up to go to.

The MUNY is a wonderful outdoor theatre that seats 11,000 or so. According to tonight’s program, Mary Wickes loved it there because it’s romantic and we all love Mary Wickes so there you go.

After the theatre we made our way to the local Cheesecake Factory for cheesecake before calling it a night. This has been a really special birthday for me. I have been buried in well wishes from many people today (and thank you everyone!).

I remarked to Earl tonight that I am truly blessed. There are many people that make my life as great as it is and I wouldn’t trade one moment of it for anything else.

Skyward., originally uploaded by iMachias.

Today is our first full day in St. Louis, so naturally we set out to see the the Gateway Arch.

It is nothing short of impressive.

We rode in on the MetroLink because one should always strive to take mass transit/light rail whenever possible. We arrived at the Gateway Arch around 11:00 a.m. The lines were short and by 11:15 we were boarding the south tram for our ride to the top. When we purchased our tickets the cashier asked if we were claustrophobic and of course neither of us are. When we were paying I noticed several people gathered around this display of a pod-like thing. I didn’t think much of it until it was time to board the tram.

Five people squeeze into this pod-like thing. It’s so small in there that if you’re over 6’1″ or so, you have to stoop forward whilst you’re sitting so you can enjoy the four minute trek to the top of the Arch.

I have to admit that I would have been feeling slightly freaky if it hadn’t been for the small window in the door that allowed one to look out at the innards of Arch as we made our way to the top. Once at the top we were given the opportunity to look out the small windows on either side. I took a bunch of photos, which you can see here.

After our descent to the ground (a three minute ride on the tram) we watched a 30 minute movie on the building of the Gateway Arch (the engineer in me is wicked impressed) and then we walked around Downtown St. Louis for a bit, joining in on the festive atmosphere of tomorrow’s All-Star Game.

We are now relaxing for a bit at the hotel before heading back out for the evening. Earl is taking me to see “Godspell” at the MUNY at Forest Park tonight,

We are definitely off to a great start.

Oh, by the way, I turn 41 today.

So today Earl and I spent the day driving to the destination that we had planned on going to all along. We faked it a little bit by saying that we had to make a choice here …

Interstate 80 west of Joliet, Illinois.

… but in reality I knew to take I-55 South toward St. Louis. We are at the new Homewood Suites for the next six nights. Earl got us a good deal.

We left Grand Rapids, Mich. around 9:30 Eastern and quickly found ourselves down at the Indiana border at lunch time. However, I had forgotten about the whole time change thing so it was more like brunch time since we lost an hour (however, my body is curiously VERY happy to be in the Central Time Zone) but nevertheless we had an early lunch at a chain place called Culver’s. Judging by the amount of cheese available on the food I’m guessing that Culver’s is based in Wisconsin, but that’s just an educated guess.

After Culver’s we trekked through the underside of greater Chicago along Interstate 80 and made our way to Interstate 55 where we headed south. This was the first time that either of us had been through Central Illinois; we both enjoyed the scenery and the drive. Illinois DOT has some nice rest areas; we posed in the picnic area at the Funk’s Grove Rest Area.

Bears In The Woods at Funk’s Grove on Interstate 55.

We had beautiful weather until we got just north of East St. Louis, where the sky opened up with some pretty impressive rain. Nevertheless we made our way through St. Louis to a brand new Homewood Suites (I believe we are the first ones to ever stay in the room we are in) across from the St. Louis Galleria. There’s an impressive shopping area called The Boulevard; we are just back from dinner at the PF Chang’s there.

We have a rough idea of what we are doing this week but the most important thing we are doing is spending time together relaxing. Earl and I have a beautiful life together and it’s vacations like these, which are an amazing thing in their own right, that makes every other moment at home with all that we do just as special.

Tonight is my last night of officially being 40 years old. It is tonight that I can say that I am truly a very happy man.

I’ll be updating my Twitter, Facebook and Flickr accounts all week during our adventures here in Missouri.

Grand Rapids, Michigan., originally uploaded by iMachias.

Earl and I have been planning this vacation week for a couple of months. Our destination would be a new adventure: we were going to drive up to Québec City, spend a few nights there before heading across New Brunswick to Halifax, Nova Scotia, spend a few nights there and then head to Prince Edward Island before heading back home. It’d take nine days or so.

It was Thursday that we were looking for the weather forecast for our destination and quite frankly we were non-plussed. The forecast showed showers (or a chance of them) every day we were gone with temperatures between 65 and 75 Fahrenheit.

With the weather we’ve been having at home, we wanted something warmer and sunnier.

I pointed to the map at a general area that I thought would make a good alternate destination and Earl agreed. We haven’t told many people where we are headed but we have a pretty good idea where we are going to be this week. I have no idea why we are being relatively secretive about the destination but it adds an air of mystery to our plans.

The drive started out with wild thunderstorms and blinding rain but once we crossed into Canada the sun came out and the skies cleared for a beautiful day. We headed across Southern Ontario on the 401 (I have now officially been on the entire length of this beautiful freeway) through the cities of Hamilton, London and Windsor before crossing back into the states and finding ourselves in Detroit. From there we headed across Michigan through Lansing and decided to spend the night in Grand Rapids.

And here we are.

One of our online friends (and an AMAZING photographer), Terry, lives here in Grand Rapids. He is out on a photoshoot tonight so we don’t know if we are going to be able to see him during our short visit here. Now that we know that Grand Rapids is relatively close to us, I can certainly see us coming back here to visit again.

Earl and I roamed around the downtown area, grabbed a bite to eat and got a quick feel for this city. It’s a great little town (from what we have seen) and look forward to coming back to visit again someday.

Tomorrow morning we are back on the road. Our vacation is off to a great start.

159.365, originally uploaded by iMachias.

Earl and I are seen here planning our big trip that starts on Saturday. All we know right now is that we are having supper at my Dad’s as we take Tom up for his week long visit whilst we hit the road.

We are not sure about our destination now; we are going to see where the wind takes us I guess. I like the spontaneity.

Decisions., originally uploaded by iMachias.

McDonalds certainly loves their brightly coloured signage. All I wanted was an unsweetened iced tea. Okay, maybe an apple pie too, despite the dire warning that it was very, very hot.

157.365, originally uploaded by iMachias.

As I arrived at the house during my lunch hour the weather radio was blaring out a severe thunderstorm warning. This is always a good thing in my world. Well, not always, as thunderstorms make work a little more stressful but nevertheless here it is my lunch hour and there’s a lot of racket coming from the sky.

w00t!

Tom likes to wait just inside the door during a storm. He’s not a fan of the sound of thunder.

I am in bachelor mode tonight as Earl is in New Castle, Pa. for work. I think I’m going to switch to the Jeep for the afternoon and go storm chasing after work.

Southwick Beach State Park., originally uploaded by iMachias.

The fourth of July is usually celebrated on a sultry, warm, summer day at a picnic with family and friends. Many times this celebration is in the backyard or perhaps at the local state park. Independence Day brings to mind thoughts of pitchers of lemonade, the smells and sizzles of the barbecue grill and the spectacle of fireworks against the night sky.

The weather this summer has been a little dicey thus far. Despite the holiday, today was no exception to the rule as Mother Nature granted us a day typical of the end of mid part of May with temperatures in the upper 60s, a smattering of showers and a good stiff breeze.

So naturally as we were out on a random drive we made the last minute decision to go to the beach.

We ended up at Southwick Beach State Park. Earl and I have been here many, many times, continuing the tradition my family had during my childhood years. I love Southwicks. It is my favourite state park in the entire state. It’s like going to the ocean. All that’s missing is the salt.

Wikipedia has a fine entry about Southwicks and the neighboring Lakeview Wildlife Management Area.

The wind was very strong. The waves were high, loud and menacing. The beach was closed to swimmers. There were two family reunions in progress, well away from the sandblasting of the wind coming over the sandy beach. Earl, Jamie and I (it was Jamie’s inaugural visit to Southwick) walked a mile or so up the beach into the Lakeview Wildlife Management Area. Once we crossed the dunes into the marsh area the wind was gone and the temperature went up several degrees. We relaxed as we walked the nature trails along the marsh and took several photos (which are available here.)

After an hour or so at the beach we made our way up to nearby Watertown, where we went to the movies to see Ice Age 3. It was a good way to escape reality. We all enjoyed the movie.

Afterwards we took the back roads home, driving along my beloved NY Route 177.

Today it was all about relaxation. Mission accomplished.