St. Louis Part 2

2 Chicas Deny Dining was a Delight

Coming into Diner’s Delight restaurant, the cafeteria style setup looked so inviting. The food seemed to be talking to us through the glass.

The turkey wings, Salisbury steak, and fried chicken looked good enough to knock ya cousin down and get to it. 2 Chicas could not wait to dig into this good smelling food.

Beef ribs were tender but lukewarm at best. There was more fat than meat on the huge bones, and the gravy slathered over the dish was simply bland and brown. The collard greens were extremely tasteless; like they were boiled in water. The only thing that was good was the dressing.  Chica 2 asked if there was smell o vision going on in here.

There was a crowd gathering and 2 Chicas looked at each other with that Scooby Doo “Urrhm?” questioning sound. Different strokes for different folks, but we can truly say this was not our kind of stroking!

2 Chicas Fall for a Clydesdale

2 Chicas are not big beer fans, but we do love freebies. Now if you check out the Anheuser-Busch Brewery, you can browse around for free.

But if you want to go deep into the place and end your tour with tasting the beer, you’ve got to pay. So 2 Chicas went the cheapie route and walked around the place checking out the history for free.

There are items that document the history of the brewery, including a large number of their ad campaigns over the years.

There is also a huge collection of beer steins with the year it was produced by the company, but Chica 2 wanted to go outside and play. 

Right behind the main entry way is a holding area for two of the beautiful Clydesdales. The horses are kept behind an electric fence to make sure the fanatics don’t get too close to these big babies. (That definition of fanatics would include Chica 2.)

Chica 1 has to remind Chica 2 not to scare the horses with any of her hurky jerky movements. The horses were particularly calm, making Chica 1 think they caught a whiff of one of their kind. Tee hee hee.

But seriously, the horses are so accustomed to visitors; the huge stallions pretty much sit there and stare at the visitors. 


Chica 2 said the two looked like gang members waiting for someone to come into their territory. She flashed them a "west side" sign and they sure looked like they threw their heads up in acknowledgment. The two Clydesdales at times did look a little menacing.

If you drop by on the first Saturday of each month, you can pose for pictures with the Clydesdales and then have a complimentary tour.

The Anheuser-Busch Brewery is a great excursion for beer lovers and a fun diversion for equine lovers. If you decide to go, remember to drink responsibly! 2 Chicas say maybe you could skip the dip into the keg.

2 Chicas Get Creamy at Teds

Get on with it two chicks; head over to Route 66. Chica 2 emphasizes chicks instead of Chicas. Yes we are on Routee 66 headed to the famous Ted Drewes Frozen Custard stand.

Chica 2 starts asking the most ridiculous questions and chuckling at her own humor. “So are we going to get over there and find General Custard all frozen?”  No more so than your tired old funny bone my dear; besides, his last name was Custer!

Ted Drewes has been selling frozen custard since the 20s. 2 Chicas have been told that a trip to Ted Drewes is a must when visiting St. Louis, so off we go early in December for a frozen treat. 

When 2 Chicas pulled up to the custard stand, it was teaming with people. Surprisingly, they were buying custard and Christmas trees! 

Chica 2 had to be restrained from fighting with one of the patrons over a whimpy little tree with a sad, bending top. She said it reminded her of a favorite cartoon Christmas tree. Chica 2, pleaseee let the little girl have the tree! We are not paying special fees to fly that back home. Besides, we came for the custard.

We inched around folks trying to make up their minds about their favorite flavor. 2 Chicas knew we were going to have a concrete! Some call them blizzards others call them by any other name, but concrete works for us! Once we made it to the window, we placed our order and quickly were given our cookies and cream concretes. After an awkward silence, there was an audible Ummmm! Chica 1 savored the smooth creamy goodness of this sweet treat. Oh my, this is some kind of wonderful!

All Chica 2 knows is that custard rhymes with mustard and this stuff is better than anything she ever had on a pretezel or a hotdog. Only Chica 2 and then she fell silent for five whole minutes? Unbelievable! 2 Chicas have a new love and that would be Ted Drewes custard. You can’t deny it; you just have to try it!

2 Chicas Check out the Mass Mosaics

Now 2 Chicas are no spiritual slouches. We are praying fools so when we heard that there was a beautiful place of prayer in the form of the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis; we had to make a special visit. 

Chica 2 always picks at Chica 1, calling her a religious nut, but now Chica 2 has become a patron of faith.

She has seen the grace of God up close and personally and knows that there is more to life than meets the eye. 

Best of all, much of the glee and joy she experiences is because she knows God is an ever present help! Chica 1 knows that based solely on the fact that Chica 1 now speaks with a certain degree of reverence – THERE IS A GOD!

Back to the Cathedral which houses one of the largest collections of mosaics in the world. It is stunningly beautiful. Although permissible, out of respect, we did not take pictures in the sanctuary. But we did take pictures of the gorgeous vestibule. 

Chica 2 says if she were responsible for putting together just one of the mosaics, it would be an exercise in embarrassment. Chica 1 agrees that there would be incomplete, shattered mess.

In the basement of the building is the Mosaics Museum which depicts the construction of the building as well as the visit by Pope Paul VI. 

Chica 1 loved the Byzantine style architecture and the detailed depictions of various scenes all over the building. Pick up a visitor’s guide which details each panel and provides interesting facts on the Cathedral. 

This place of worship has to be the most visually stunning church in America. Come view the more than 41 million individual pieces of stone, glass and marble and judge for yourself! Even Chica 2 was humbled.

2 Chicas and the Living Dead

Since 2 Chicas visit to New Orleans, Chica 2 has a thing about fabulous cemeteries and St. Louis has at least two. Bellefontaine Cemetery and Calvary Cemetery are literally down the street from each other and they have a number of spectacular gravesites.

There are so many incredible people buried in these two cemeteries that the land mass could support a small theme park.

From explorer William Clark to Tennessee Williams to thousands of nuns who served the Catholic churches in the area; from Dred Scott to General William Sherman to Adolphus Busch, there are historically significant stories buried in one of these two graveyards.

As we drive through the beautifully cared for tombs, Chica 2 actually behaved pretty well. Although she was at times somber, she was more often reflective. She pointed out the beautiful depictions of Christ on crypt after crypt; one after another, these were visible memorials to individual faith. 

These were unending testaments to a long held belief in someone (Christ) who died so that his followers could have everlasting life.

Chica 2 found a number of headstones that she wanted to have should she transition to the hereafter. Chica 1 reminded her that she could not have a cluttered burial place like those front yards that have a dozen cement statute artifacts. 

Anyhoo, 2 Chicas went uphill and downhill and around corners and bends looking in awe at the statues, headstones, etc.

If you aren’t afraid of wandering respectfully through burial grounds, visit one of these two sites to gather stories that bring the history of this city alive! You will be astounded by the extravagant mausoleums and monuments as well as the simple headstones of those who served and cared for others.

2 Chicas Train their Brains A trip to Union Station is like a step back into the heydays of the rail. Driving up to the building, it was clear that this was once a spectacular place.  Chica 1 shared that St. Louis’s Union Station was at one time the busiest and largest stations in the world. Chica 2 said in disbelief, “not in the world?” Yes Chica 2, read it for yourself. In the parking lot there is a Hard Rock Café and a Landry’s Restaurant. Chica 2 ran over to the large koi pond and proceeded to make the poor fish follow her around begging for food. She finally fed them and in her best Academy Award voice shouted: “They like me! They really, really like me!” Come on Chica 2, the fish like anyone willing to feed them; look at the four year old there with her dad. Don’t misunderstand your popularity! Once inside the station, Chica 1 immediately commented on the food court, a treat that early 20th century patrons did not get to enjoy.  Chica 2 broke into her smarty pants routine saying that Chica 1 just had to compare and contrast. Whatever! Although trains are no longer the main thing happening here, there was still a lot going on. Chica 2 quickly got bored with the exhibits found around the station. Chica 1 on the other hand kept checking out the interesting history found in the walking tour. Chica 1 was particularly intrigued with the fickle ways of the American public. What was once the premier form of travel soon became out of fashion. Out with the old and in with the new – traveling by car and of course, flying! Now the station had to be re-purposed and now specialty shops, restaurants, and a hotel almost fill the spaces of this massive building. Chica 1 also loves to gawk at interesting architecture, and Union Station offers plenty of moments for pause. There are Tiffany stained glass windows and a barrel vaulted ceiling. What is funny is that a train station that cost $6.5 million to build reopened after a $150 million restoration. Now that is some inflation! And the amount does not include another $12.5 million in additional work completed in 2007. Now that's a lot of moolah! St. Louis Union Station is well worth the trip. Be sure to visit the Grand Hall and view the interesting historical items from a time that continues to capture the imagination of the American traveler!

2 Chicas Find No Soul the Soulard Farmer’s Market

2 Chicas have been flying around St. Louis like mad hatters, and Chica 1 was getting pretty tired. (She’s the older one you know – Tee hee he) That notwithstanding, early on Sunday morning, 

2 Chicas headed over to Soulard Farmer’s Market.

Soulard’s began as a vacant lot where farmers would come to share their locally grown produce and other farm items. Farmers have been coming to Soulard’s since 1779! No not the same farmers Chica 2, this is not a zombie or vampire segment.

Chica 2 says she sure hopes they don’t have over two hundred years of chicken, goat, turkey and cow poop hanging out on the grounds. Just imagine the fertile organic soil that would be found on the grounds Chica 2! Rich farm poop would certainly serve as fodder for a whole new set of crops.  Check the bottom of your shoes Chica 2!

Chica 2 said she wants to purchase some petrified lemons. Chica 1 is afraid to ask why, so maybe we’ll just let this one die on the vine. Sunday mornings at Soulard’s is pretty quiet. There are a handful of vendors open selling fresh fruits and vegetables. They subscribe to the early bird gets the worm business model and as such received a few hard earned Chica dollas!

The farmer’s market is very large, and has two main buildings. It is surprising to find out that one of the buildings was constructed in the 1840’s. Chica 2 found some information on the second building and reported in a very intellectual tone that the new building was constructed in the Renaissance style. Huh?? She's actually correct.

This place even has a gymnasium, so let your soul glow at the farmer’s market. Be sure to leave enough time for a thorough visit with plenty of time to look and taste!

2 Chicas Visit the Hub

Now 2 Chicas aren’t cheap; more like a little frugal. So St. Louis’s hub, Forest Park is one great hangout!

This large mecca in the middle of the city is an incredible complex – there’s the Art Museum, the Zoo, the History Museum and the Science Center.  Chica 2 excitedly shared that Forest Park is larger than Central Park in New York.

Chica 1 wasn’t that impressed with that limited tidbit. Chica 2 was more eager to experience the lively outdoor activities such as golf, tennis, baseball, ice skating, roller skating, etc. So why did we talk about being thrifty? Because many of these great places are free!

Chica 2 immediately began complaining about Chica 1 wanting to go to the Art Museum and History Museum. Chica 1 told Chica 2 she was afraid if Chica 2 showed up at the zoo she would not be released!

Ok, not so funny, but time was of the essence, so maybe 2 Chicas can check out the Zoo and Science Center on the next visit. Not too often does Chica 2 want to do anything educational!

The Art Museum had a number of excellent displays of American artists, modern art, sculptures,  and a Native American display that had Chica 2 break out into another bad “take me to my tepee” routine. 

Calm down little Crazy Donkey! There was modern photography, displays of artifacts from England, and examples of  Italian religious art. Naturally, Chica 2 misbehaved in the room with the modern nude portraits. Stop screaming “cover that thing up!” Chica 2 you’re scaring people again.

Chica 1 had to agree that some of the portraits were a little over the top. Chica 2 also misbehaved around the portraits of local and national leaders. Her sense of humor may be misunderstood, so we will withhold the comments about President George Washington.

A visit to the History Museum was next and the display of the St. Louis’ World’s Fair was a lot of fun. Chica 2 particularly loved the pictures of the different participants. Chica 1, I didn’t know your family was at the World’s Fair. Very funny Chica 2, at least MY relatives weren’t banned.

We walked around the exhibits looking at the spectacular grounds that were developed for the 1906 World’s Fair. The current buildings sit on those very same grounds. I have a dear friend who said one of her favorite movies “Meet Me In St. Louis” revolved around the World’s Fair. I took extra pictures just for her!

Chica 2 needed some outside time just like the cute little puppies out on the grand lawn with their owners.

She ran around happily laughing, rolling down the hill, and playing with random children. Amazing, none of the parents were even a little bit mortified by her shenanigans!

They seemed a little envious of Chica 2’s sense of abandon and devil may care attitude. Chica 1 mused that maybe that’s why she likes Chica 2 so much – at least most of the time!

Come to Forest Park and visit the wonderful free attractions. You’ll be glad you did!

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