Springfield Day 6

Thursday I awoke to stomache cramps and just an overall nauseated feeling. I did manage to put away some of my breakfast but left most of it on my plate. I hoped at the day went on it would go away but no such luck. We left the B&B to walk around downtown and spent a couple of hour walking around until it started to spit rain. Since I was not feeling well and the rain we decided to go back to the Inn. For the most part I was in bed yesterday. Late in the evening I was able to eat a sandwich from Panera Bread. After spending 7 hours of the day in bed I went to bed early and slept probably the best sleep I had slept the whole time we were gone. This morning I woke up feeling better but still a little ache in by belly. I got a shower and it felt wonderful. Shortly after that it was time to go down for breakfast. We had omelet souffle with a raisin muffin and fresh fruit. Yum..I finished all but the muffin. After breakfast it was time to pack up and leave. We wedged, cramped and stuffed all of our stuff into the trunk and I was surprised it closed. We said goodbye to our host and away we went on our trip home. The first stop was to gas up but shortly after that we were on our way. After a couple of hours we arrived in St.Louis. We were getting a little hungry so we stopped off at Ruby Tuesday. After eating it was time for the main event for the ladies. The stop at THE LOOPY EWE yarn shop. This is for knitters and yarnaholics almost like seeing Big Foot or the Loch Ness Monster or so I am told. We walked in and the ladies went wild screaming waving their hands in the air grabbing skein after skein of yarn off the shelf and yelling "I must have this!" Well maybe it didn't quite go like that but close. Let's just say that I was surprised that the ladies cut their visit at an hour, I was expecting more. After the ladies got checked out with their purchases we headed East in the direction of home. We rolled in the drive way around 4:30pm exhausted and glad to be home. I think we all had a good time and we couldn't have asked for better travelling companions. Vacation 2008 is in the books.....Now time to plan for 2009?

Springfield Day 5 cont.

In addition to the day, after we got back to the B&B and rested for a bit, it was time to think about supper. Ragged suggested the Springfield Brewing Company. We drove down the street and made a mad dash for the front door in the pouring rain. After settling in we ordered drinks followed by the main meal. Before long our hunger was satisfied again but we needed another caffeine fix so off to the "Mud Hut" Mud House we went and then back to the B&B to call it a night. Tomorrow will be our last full day in Springfield and the ladies are feverishly looking for things to do.

The picture above was not taken by me as we were being bombarded by big ole fat drops of rain. Not very conducive for picture taking.

Springfield Day 5

Today we started the day off with a nice breakfast. Today it was Spring Herb Egg Strudel with sausage and fresh fruit. After that we were off to battle the rainy day. Our first stop was Bass Pro. After a run through we decided to go back through and pick up the items for purchase. Bass Pro proved to be an expensive stop. Cynical and I scored some nice The North Face wind breakers and I snaged several shirts. After we checked out and had taken our items to the car we went back inside to eat at Hemingway's. We all had the buffet and it was very good. There was fried catfish, cherry glazed ham, roast beef, smoked turkey, salad, several soups and sides to choose from. For desert I went with a little of all the choices. Bread pudding with rum sauce, apple cobbler, ambrosia and chocolate mousse. After we stuffed ourselves it was time to move on to a stop the ladies had planed. We stopped off at a yarn shop and Cynical and I looked over a used book store and a comic book store. When we left there we thought we might stop by the Springfield Tour Center and check to see if there was any information we might have missed about things to do. After visiting with the very friendly people at the center it was time to head to our next stop, a coffee shop. Cassil's coffee was one we had marked to check out so we stopped in to satisfy our caffeine cravings. Shortly after getting hopped up on our beverages of choice it was time to move on. With all the rain we decided to return back to our B&B and make plans for supper and make out a plans for our last day in Springfield.

Springfield Day 4

This morning we awoke eager to take on the day and the schedule we had planned. We first descended down the stairs and into the dining room for breakfast. For breakfast we had Eggs ramekins, bacon, orange juice and fresh fruit. After finishing breakfast we were off to Mansfield and the museum and last home of Laura Ingles Wilder. A quick look through the museum and the tour had begun. We first toured the home that was build on Rocky Ridge Farm. The guide took us through each room talking about the furniture and what Laura liked best about each room. She also spoke about Rose, her daughter and the items that were purchased by her for her family. After we finished the tour of the home it was back into the museum to finish looking at some of the items near and dear to any Little House fan. Items like Laura and Mary's slates for school, Ma and Pa's marriage certificate and even Charles Ingles fiddle. We then strolled over to the gift shop and made our way to the Rock House. The Rock House was purchased by Rose for Laura and Almanzo and was very interesting with some of the modern conveniences of the time. One being window screens that rolled up into the wall like a window blind. Another interesting fact was of the 11 thousand dollars spent building the home 3 thousand was spent just getting electricity back to the area. After we left there we went into town to the local cemetery and the grave site of Laura, Almanzo and their daughter Rose. While in the area the ladies scoped out a yarn shop in Rogersville so we stopped by for them to visit and peruse their yarn. To keep our day rolling we then decided to make a run to Lambert's Cafe. The atmosphere was interesting and the throwed rolls a bit intimidating but Cynical was up to the challenge and had one hurled his way. I ordered the BBQ ribs and the slab that arrived had me questioning by ability to finish it. I however did finish it and then some washing down the rest of my tea , baked beans and half of Cynical's throwed roll with a little molasses on the side. After our bellies were full we then decide to finish off the day at Fantastic Caverns. This was something I had been wanting to do for several years and finally can mark it off my list. After the tour we took a small walk on a wooded path and then made our way back to the B&B sans and side trip to Panera Bread for supper. We ate our carry out on the back deck of the B&B and finished off our daily cookie left by housekeeping. It is now time to kick our feet up and relax in preparation for tomorrow. Bass Pro for Me and Yarn shopping for the ladies.

Springfield Day 2 and 3

Sunday night after the Art Festival was over and they were all packing up the gang and I walked down the street to a local Bar called Ebbet's Field. The bar was filled with 20 somethings and the atmosphere was a bit loud at times but the food was great. Cynical and I had the Bum. A cheeseburger with a side of greasy under deep fried fries in oil that needed to be changed awhile back. Needles had a salad and Ragged had the chicken sandwich. After a couple of drinks we walked back to our B&B and took up our comfy spots in our room. The next day we took it easy to allow our bodes to rest from the travel. We did get to visit a local coffee shop and the cappuccino was perfect. The place was called Oaxacafe pronounced (Wa-ha-ka-fay). A little later the ladies spied a yarn and craft place and were eager to descend upon it. They loved the place called She's Crafty and return a little over an hour later with yarn in need of a new home. The lady that owned the place was very nice and tried to get them to come back and have a knit in, but the ladies were afraid to leave their men unattended and up to or own devices so they hesitantly left to check in on us. Later that evening we walked to the downtown to Maria's Mexican Restaurant. Since it was Cinco de Mayo we waited for a table and was able to enjoy the celebration. It was very loud and packed. Standing room only while a strolling guitarist belted out familiar tunes from south of the border. The food was fantastic and just what I wanted to satisfy the spicy craving I had been having. While downtown we walked around to discover a very neat coffee place called the Mud House. We rolled in after our meal and after ordering our drinks, set up residence at a table. The place was very neat and the coffee gave us just the energy kick to get us back to the room. Last night was stayed up late talking about the plan of attack for today. We plan on going to Mansfield and the grave site, home and museum of Laura Ingles Wilder. We also plan on having lunch at Lambert's and finishing up the day with a visit to Fantastic Caverns. I am sure I will post more later of the days events. Stay tuned boys and girls.

Springfield, MO. Vacation 2008

Friday evening after work I began my last flight of the bumblebee in an effort to get the house ready for guests. Needles was on her way home from work with the fixins for Tacos. Around 6:30pm Rudy and the bunch showed up followed by Cyncial and Ragged just a few minutes later. We all filled our bellies with supper and conversed with each other until late in the evening. After Rudy and bunch headed home we sat and talked until our eye lids got very heavy and decided to call it a night. The next morning was officially our first day of Vacation. We rolled out at 9:00am and arrived in St. Louis around 12:30pm and walked down the Boulevard to the Arch and stood in line for security in the very cool windy weather. After emptying our pockets and walking through a metal detector we entered the museum. Just after entering we stood in line to do something I have wanting to do for along time. I went to the top! The ride was interested and the view at the top was amazing because the weather had improved while we were in the museum and waiting for our time to go. We then decided to grab a bite to eat at Laclede's Landing, Hannegan's Restaurant and Pub, their Chipotle Cheese Dip was amazing and their burgers were perfect. It was time to head out of St.Louis and try to find a room on the other side of town due to the fact that the Cards and the Cubs were in town and rooms might be hard to come by. We decided to venture to on to Route 66 State Park otherwise known in a previous life as Times Beach. We walked around and found that most if not all of the trails were closed and the bathrooms were glorified outhouses. Not much to see or do so we headed down the road to our next destination. We rolled into Meramec State Park shortly after 5pm and after a few round abouts found the visitors center to see about a room. The scenic drive was very nice and our rooms to say the least were secluded, Crystal Lake secluded. After settling in with out no interwebs, beds as hard as a rock and our T.V. that got only 3 channels we had no choice but to enjoy the scenery and the it did not disappoint. The next morning we were on the road again minus one pillow and on to our next destination, Rolla, Mo. for Stone Henge the sequel. After a few photos we were in search for B'fast. Huddle House was just across the road so that's what we did. After eating way too much food we got on US 44 and on to our final destination Springfield, MO. We are now at the Walnut Bed & Breakfast and enjoyed the Art Festival being held just outside the front door. We walked up and down the street for a couple of hours looking at all the amazing artists work and the unique items for sale. Before long our feet and bodies needed a little rest so back to the B&B for a little rest and relaxation because that's what Vacations all about.
That's all for now folks.