Going back to work was this morning’s conversation. We discussed our plan for after the Grand Canyon, and ways to stretch our money. One way is to let everyone who reads this blog that we normally exchange Christmas gifts with, forget it for this year. Whatever we’d spend on Christmas gifts would certainly shorten our temporary retirement. No gifts! Yes, this includes family! We know that it’s getting colder outside which makes it more difficult to sight see in the future. I told Jim that he should have lost his job earlier in the year. ;-) The plan of visiting the Grand Canyon and then high tailing it up north to Niagara Falls may not be feasible. By the time we make it to the Grand Canyon it will be early to mid October; this makes it very cold by the time we get to Niagara Falls. Jim suggests we take temporary seasonal jobs for a month or 2 in some state and then hit the road again after the holidays. This will extend our temporary retirement possibly until April or May. We’ve looked at our finances and have set aside money for restarting our lives, and doing so debt free. The remainder is what we’ll live on from today until it runs out. That’s the plan thus far (subject to tweaking).
Yes, Mom and Dad as well as the rest of Jim’s and my family, we probably won’t be home for the holidays, but know that we’ll miss you and we love you all very much! I think most of you suspected it would be a tough and expensive trek for us to return home for the holidays. I also know that so many of you have family to surround you now and through the holidays. It’s not the end of the world, focus on who’s there with you now, and enjoy their company. OK, so I’m getting way too sappy and a little teary so we’ll move on to the fun stuff and the further MISadventures of Jim & Garret.
(Royal trumpet playing)
With much happiness, I’m ecstatic to report our icemaker has survived its fall. I know so many of you lost sleep last night, dreading the possible outcome. Rest easy, dear reader, all is swell. Yes, I said swell.
Jim and I have decided that the streets in St. Louis are scary, hazardous, poorly laid out and confusing. Did I miss a word? Last night we drove downtown to a club, and I think even the GPS was confused. Some examples, 2 roads that lead to the same place, possibly 1 avoided a traffic light. A right turn signal posted in the left lane. White lane lines are barely visible; not only are they faded but they are short, thin and look like a child drew them. They don’t believe in lane reflectors. On and off ramps are all over the place. We also managed to drive about 4 blocks up a road before realizing we were on the wrong side of the road. There was no “Wrong Way” sign posted, no RED reflectors. Fortunately it was dark-thirty so there was no one driving. We got on the wrong road because we needed to make a right, and there were 4 roads, 8 lanes or more within feet of one another.
Yes, Mom and Dad as well as the rest of Jim’s and my family, we probably won’t be home for the holidays, but know that we’ll miss you and we love you all very much! I think most of you suspected it would be a tough and expensive trek for us to return home for the holidays. I also know that so many of you have family to surround you now and through the holidays. It’s not the end of the world, focus on who’s there with you now, and enjoy their company. OK, so I’m getting way too sappy and a little teary so we’ll move on to the fun stuff and the further MISadventures of Jim & Garret.
(Royal trumpet playing)
With much happiness, I’m ecstatic to report our icemaker has survived its fall. I know so many of you lost sleep last night, dreading the possible outcome. Rest easy, dear reader, all is swell. Yes, I said swell.
Jim and I have decided that the streets in St. Louis are scary, hazardous, poorly laid out and confusing. Did I miss a word? Last night we drove downtown to a club, and I think even the GPS was confused. Some examples, 2 roads that lead to the same place, possibly 1 avoided a traffic light. A right turn signal posted in the left lane. White lane lines are barely visible; not only are they faded but they are short, thin and look like a child drew them. They don’t believe in lane reflectors. On and off ramps are all over the place. We also managed to drive about 4 blocks up a road before realizing we were on the wrong side of the road. There was no “Wrong Way” sign posted, no RED reflectors. Fortunately it was dark-thirty so there was no one driving. We got on the wrong road because we needed to make a right, and there were 4 roads, 8 lanes or more within feet of one another.
Today’s travels are brought to you by the letter A. Arch! We ventured to the Arch today. We went below ground to gain entry to the Arch. There are the North and South entrances, a
nd each underground lobby features a museum, gift shop (of course), theater and the tram entrance. The tram ride to the top was $10 each. It was well worth it. Because it’s a slow time of year, only 1 entrance was open. I was told that each entrance has a different museum and different historic movie. The part we were in was all about the Western expansion while the other side focused on the Arch construction. I would have liked to have seen the construction side. The trams are a cross between Ferris wheel technology and elevator technologies that were available in the early 60’s. 
The tram cars are often referred to as capsules 
and looking at the picture, you’ll see why. They SQUEEZE 5 people in each of the 8 capsules and run the line of capsules 10 minutes apart. On the ride up, you can’t see out of the Arch but see the inside stairwells and maintenance ports. Very cool. All of the technology is still the same except they replaced the leveling switches from Mercury to electronic. All parts have been replaced except for the capsules themselves. Very impressive. Once at the top, you exit the capsule and can stay up there as long as y
ou’d like. Up at the top where the 2 sides connect, there are small viewing windows that you can lean comfortably on and see the city. Amazing. The Arch is almost twice the height of the Statue of Liberty! There’s so much history and information there. 
Left: Jim in front of Eads Bridge.
Right: Inside Arch Capsule.
After the Arch, We stopped off at the downtown area to shop at a themed store. 
While in the area we spotted an Ethiopian Restaurant but decided the portions would be much too small so we moved on to the shop where we bought matching rings. On the way back to the RV, Jim spotted a beautiful church. We got out of the Cherokee and walked around it. It was built in 1867. I snapped some photos of the exterior and once home, I Googled for information about it and see that the inside is gorgeous too. We may head back tomorrow and see if 
it’s open. Click here if you'd like to visit the website about this church's history.We stopped at a Jack in the Box on the way home for a snack. I’ve heard of them, and may have even eaten at one in California in 1985.
Back to the coach for Jim’s awesome crockpot chili creation. Last night was my amazing meatloaf…. Sorry Carl, my meatloaf is better!
A couple of unrelated photos I snapped are below. One of the funny speed limit within Jellystone and the other of Jellystone’s front entrance.
{Scanned postcard I purchased}
Funny video
On the going back to work idea, somehow I am sure you thought of this, but thought I would share anyways. Have you thought about being guest greeters for Wal Mart?
ReplyDeleteSpend a week at one then move onto the next one ;-)You never know, if you talk to Wal Mart, they might fund part of your trip if they can put you on commercials hehehe