I took a trip to St. Louis as a part of a business trip and decided to spend the weekend in the city. It’s been almost 30 years since I was here last and it was great to see how the city has grown since then. It had been longer since I visited the Gateway Arch. When we were kids, Dad took me and my sister on a trip to the city and we visited the Arch then. It has changed a lot at the base, but the little pods you sit in to travel to the top and the tiny windows at the top are the same. One thing I loved was the film about how the Arch was built. Quite a feat.
One site I wanted to visit was WashU and Francis Field, home of the 1904 Olympics. It was also one of the venues for the 1994 US Olympic Festival. I was asked to help out with that festival from a technology perspective, having helped manage that in San Antonio in 1993. We held a few events at WashU in some historic facilities that are still standing. Our base was Wydown Middle School, situated between WashU and Fontbonne. The school is still standing and I could see the entrance to the band room which was our tech home base.
I finished the “tourist” part with a visit to The Hill, the Italian neighborhood just south of Forest Park. It’s known for its Italian restaurants and my visit to Zia’s on the Hill did not disappoint. One thing I noted is how much of a neighborhood it is, with meticulously cared for homes with well manicured lawns. Residents ride around the neighborhood on golf carts and walk to dinner. It is a tourist destination with several diners from out of town, having never visited Zia’s. Yea, I was one of them, but it’s definitely a must-visit place when I come back to St. Louis.
One disappointment was not being able to see “Come From Away” at the Muny in Forest Park. Friday had showers throughout the day and while it looked like we were going to be able to enjoy the performance rain-free, the rain started to come. For the actors’ safety, the performance was halted. It may have continued after I left, but that would have meant for a LONG NIGHT. Still, I want to go back for a performance in the future. It seems like a great place to enjoy performances.
