ST LOUIS: May 30 (Day 8)

Saturday was a pretty relaxed day. We woke up around 9 and were entertained with breakfast courtesy of Matt and Katie. Also present was Katie's mom, Marge, in town for the weekend from Oklahoma.

That afternoon Matt took us on a tour of St Louis. First he took us to Washington University of St Louis, where he is currently getting his PhD in Biomedical Engineering. I'm not sure what that is but basically it means he's smarter than you. Right around the corner was Wash U, where all the babes live. Unfortunately, me and Nate failed to pick any up.

Our next stop was downtown St Louis. On our way there we stopped by Goodwill Industries (more on that later). We did the tourist thing and went to the arch, which Nate had never seen before.





We also took a look at the waterfront on the Mississippi River. Here's a fun fact: Gambling is illegal in Missouri, but there's a loophole that allows gambling if you are on the Mississippi. So people gather on these 1800's style paddle boats and gamble their mortgages away. FUN!



On our ast stop we drove by Soulard, a French district that hosts the second largest Marti Gras Festival in the US, second only New Orleans, of course. They also have a scene farmers market, where all the hippies and organic food junkies get their meats and produce.





Later that day we explored St Louis on our own, as Matt, Katie and Marge went to go see Garrison Keillor at the Fox downtown. First we went to the City Museum, rated the #1 place in St Louis to take LSD. Unfortunately we didnt trip or even go in for that matter, as admission was $12. But we could see it from the outside.





At this point we knew we had some thrift store shopping to do. Earlier we saw this oversized Goodwill Industries sign and knew we had to come back.



We stopped in, and although not quite as epic as we had fantasized, we did find some sweet gear. I bought myself a pair of alum style chino shorts and me and Nate got matching easter yellow wide-brim hats. Nate needed sunglasses, but all they had was Elton John frames, which we agreed would get old after about 3 hours. We ran to the neighboring Salvation Army and Nate picked up some sweet CitiMortgage shades for $.99.



After a quick stop at REI, we finished the night at William Shakespeare's Gastropub with Matt, Katie and Marge. Though the service was slow, we did have an authentic English waiter. I satisfied my beersnob palate with a Guiness and a Smithwicks. Nate played it safe and didnt order any beer, in fear of dropping to .500 getting served. We got back, watched the Pens blow it, and then called it a night.

Overall St louis was a great place to see again. The brick architecture gives the city a rustic feel. Along with the exposed iron structures at the riverfront, it reminded me at times of Boston (where I'll be living in August). If only St Louis had mountains within a 13 hour drive. Thanks to Matt and Katie for the hospitality. Off to the Wild West.