Category: Travels

So…we went to this thing called “First Night” which by all standards looked like it was going to be really cool, based on the marketing stuff we saw from them. Overall, it was okay, but totally not what the promo stuff made it out to be! From our hotel, we walked down to the MetroLink (subway/train thing). Some of us only had 20’s and the machine only took smaller bills, so we ended up hailing a cab to take us to the place the free shuttles pick people up for the party. Ironically, as we were riding in the cab, Van Morrison’s “Into the Mystic” came on the radio…

By the time we got there, it was about 11pm. We saw a fire-eating guy and eventually found some warm drinks (the event was outside and it was cold!) and headed to the main stage for a DJ and some break dancers, which was pretty cool. The countdown…the fireworks…and then the new year. We took the shuttle back to a MetroLink station, since now we all had appropriate fundage…but they were only letting people on that had prepurchased passes…I sweet talked the guy who was taking passes into letting us on for free (There is something to be said for knowing how to sweet talk when one is stuck in an unfamiliar city at 12:30am with no ride back to their hotel). We made it back, made a late night gas-station snackage run (we almost saw a fight go down!!) and hung out in my room until about 3:30am.

We slept in, checked out and had brunch at probably the best place in St. Louis called Duff’s. Service was slow (they were pretty busy), but the coffee and food were excellent. The company wasn’t too bad either! If you are ever in St. Louis, check out Duff’s in the West End area. Before we parted ways, we scoured the city for an open Starbucks, finally found one, and enjoyed some additional espresso before our departure.

Now we’re home…sleepy, but home. It was quite awesome getting to hang out with everyone and explore an unfamiliar place together!!! Next year, I think Hogmanay is in the works for New Years!

Our day started out with a drive into the great state of Illinois to get some Chick-fil-A breakfast. Most of you think, “Who cares? It’s Chick-fil-A!” But you see, Kansas doesn’t really have them…so any chance we get to eat this glorious nourishment, we do. It is the only food we don’t pray over, as one can tell it has been already abundantly blessed with delicious goodness by the Father.

After that, we walked around the mall and stopped at a fudge and coffee place that had some great cappucino – and a funny trash can sign.

Then, we met up with Lori & Candyce, and ate at a place called Max & Erma’s. And next, on to the Arch!

Since I am afraid of heights and a wee clausterphobic, the arch was a time of many prayers and sweaty palms. But I pulled through okay, only with the support of my friends.



And now we’re waiting for our pizza to be delivered – then we’re hitting the streets of St. Louis to catch some live music and fireworks to ring in the new year!

More later!