Eckerts

Last week was Carl's birthday. So, I decided to take him, Jena (the photographer)and the grandkids to Eckerts for lunch.



You can tell by the empty basket on the table that the fried biscuits with apple butter on top were delicious!





Michael was very happy when he was able to push Catherine aside and do the driving himself.


The girls and I made a beeline for the baked goods in the country store.




The kids all received free coupons for candy sticks. It was a big decision choosing which flavor they would get.




Then they had to decide which peaches to buy.




They gave the lady their free coupons and immediately started eating their candy sticks. We were all privileged to be a part of their sugar high in the car on the way home as they sang, "It's raining, It's pouring, The old man is snoring" at least 100 times! We sang it all together, individually and as we were laughing. Even Great Grandpa joined in.

Our Airport

If homes have curb appeal at the entry door, cities make their first impression via the airport. Saying that, Saint Louis’ Lambert Field has to be the worst major airport in America.



It is still boarded up from the tornado which struck it several months ago. In fact, it hasn’t improved much since that unfortunate event. The lights are low, and the air conditioning seems permanently set on “tepid”. There is one food court with three sleepy counters and a Starbucks kiosk. As for news stands, one small one is open.

A search committee visiting the city to explore moving business or hosting a convention here, would turn around when they disembarked from their plane.

The place is a civic embarrassment. They should consider letting Bridgeton build condominiums on the new and unnecessary third runway.

Sushi Rankings

I've decided that every Groupon that comes up concerning sushi, I'm going to buy. This way we can evaluate what is good and what is not at a discounted price. Last Christmas we went to a very pretty place, called Kitaro. The sushi? Not so good. Then we tried Drunken Fish over at Westport. Very enjoyable. This past week Tommy, Trey and I went to Moto Sushi in St. Peters. Pretty good. In addition to sushi they had bulgogi which I had to get. I loved it!

Crazy Hair

Olivia has entered her first beauty contest! Well, it's not actually a beauty contest, it's a CRAZY HAIR contest. Be sure and vote for her. You will need to register on the site, but then you can vote every single day for the rest of your life! Well, it's really only until Sept 20. Go Olivia!

click here

Black River Float

I had every intention of taking pictures of the float trip we went on Saturday, but I decided I didn't want my camera going under! And it would have. I'm sure it was Steve's fault that we tipped over, because my job was just to sit in the front of the canoe and be quiet! As you can see, Tommy and Jena got a few extra zzzz's in. Before they went to sleep they registered a complaint with the complaint department that it was cold in the car. As you can tell by the towels they used to cover up with, the complaint department told them they should learn to enjoy a good car air conditioner!

2011 Rams

The first preseason game for the NFL Rams validated several opinions I had already formed ...

... Sam Bradford would get even better.

... The offensive line was much better.

... The receiving corps, including the tight ends, had been upgraded.

... The running game is deeper and stronger.

... The defensive line was more solid.

... The linebacking would be improved.

... The secondary would be far better.

... The kicking game was already solid.

... The coaching would be superior.

It all adds up to a competitive team this year!

Naps and Horses

The girls found the box that contained their daddy's horses. Mike loved his horses when he was a little guy. Now the girls get to play with them.



Michael decided to take a nap. What better place than on mom?

Where I Live

I live in Saint Charles, Missouri, a community often cited for its' lack of sophistication. Maybe that's why I'm so comfortable to reside here. After all, there are innumerable ways to evaluate a place which are more important.

Here are eleven reasons I like this place:

1. This is where I lived as a kid.

2. This is where I attended grade school.

3. This is where I went to high school.

4. This is where I first dated my wife.

5. This is where I was married.

7. This is where my sons were born.

8. This is where I live.

9. This is where son #1 attended high school.

10. This is where sons #2/#3 attended high school.

11. This is where I work.

Stink Eye

On my last trip to LA, Aunt Jena and I took Olivia for a few hours one day. We walked her around the Marina and spent some time playing. Aunt Jena says when Olivia looks at us like this, she is giving us the stink eye! Maybe we were pushing the stroller too slow and she didn't like it!

Observations from Debate

After watching the second Republican debate Tursday night, I offer a collection of unrelated observations:

Fox's format was much less annoying than CNN's. Time was managed via a simple clock (as opposed to the CNN moderator's constant interruptions and over-talking the response of the candidates.

The audience was enthusiatic bur respectful. It was a full house which was completely engaged.

Newt Gingrich gained the most ground, displaying intelligence and passion in his answers. He set the tone fpor straight-talking, a tone soon adopted by the others.

Mitt Romney continued to hold the high spot. His answers in all areas were practical and clear, except perhaps his history on health care.

Michelle Bachmann continued to exhibit a principled and clear-headed viewpoint on all topics. In a tussle with Pawlenty, she came out ahead.

Compared to Barack Obama, every single candidate displayed positions and an attitude of leadership which was superior. Saying that, Ron Paul and Jon Huntsman are my least favorite.

Several potential candidates were not there: Rick Perry, Sarah Palin, Paul Ryan. The entry of any of these would change the chemistry, and possibly narrow the field.

Liberalism continues to mystify me. The liberal viewpoint was present in the form of the media hosts. They continued to harp on tax increases in any and all economic conditions. They advocate abortion rights, but exhibit overt sexism toward female candidates. When I was a kid, liberalism stood for the rights of the individual; now it seems to stand for centralized statism and collectivism. It's so 1917 ...

Lyla

Jena came home Sunday. Lyla was very excited. She hasn't left her side since.

Maroon Bells Photos #3 (of 3)

Hey, I actually posted these in the correct order, so viewing from the top down is the correct approach this time.

On the way to the last pass, an event which I alternately anticipated and loathed. So far, so good ...


Greg on a log bridge. A marmot followed us over a few minutes later.

A beaver dam ...

Continually climbing to higher country ...

On the top of Buckskin Pass - all downhill from here!

An aspen grove on the way down:

Back to Maroon Lake!

Stats: Four days, four passes over 12,500 feet, 25-30 miles, and innumerable views!

Maroon Bells Photos #2

Again these are in reverse chronological order. For example, here is where we ended up on the final night. There was a nice babbling creek full of ice-cold mountain water ten feet to the left.


The view from Trail Rider pass looking back.

Greg on the trail above Snowmass Lake.

Mike and Greg on the top of Trail Rider Pass looking ahead to the next valley.

A marmot watches us from his rocky perch. No bears ... just marmots and beavers.

Some of the trail was better suited for goats than humans ...

In Fravert Basin, a valley full of creeks, waterfalls, cascades, meadows, and wildflowers. And a long way from other people. My favorite stretch ...

More ...

Fimal photos tomorrow.

Maroon Bells Photos #1

These things posted in reverse order, and it's easier for you to read from bottom-up as opposed to me re-ordering!

Far away from the crowds, it's extremely difficult to get to this valley.

Water everywhere from the melting snow ... it was rare NOT to hear water cascading over rocks.

A view into a new valley from a 12,500-foot high pass.

Mike enjoying the view from the top as I was throwing up out-of-frame.

The view behind us from West Maroon Pass ...

The valley leading to West Maroon Pass:

Me, hanging out in the wilderness ...

An early creek crossing ...

Greg, Stan, Mike and Ryan starting out on the second day ... a good team:

A reflective Crater Lake.

More to come!