I have been a little slow getting this second installment up but here goes. . .
We got into St. Louis around 3:30 in the afternoon, just in time for the Olson twins (no not those Olson twins, our Olson twins) to wake up from their nap. This meant they would be coming to see us in our room soon. We were all staying at the Drury Inn, near Forest Park. This hotel is only about two years old and very elegant. Our room was very nice and I can highly recommend the hotel. The kids showed up and it was jump on the bed time.
The rest of the day was spent going to a small park with large turtles in it and getting supper at one of the more popular areas of St. Louis – Blueberry Hill. While at the restaurant, it was fun to observe the two working together.
We had a great time that evening and went back to the hotel.
The next morning, we ate breakfast at the hotel and the twins colored some place mats so they would get free admission to a train ride at the Muesum of Transportation.
We went out to the museum, Lynette and I have been there before but we never rode the new train ride they have, that was fun and the twins loved it. It was a lot like the ride we used to have here in Duluth at Park Point and another one at the Duluth Zoo. The biggest difference is the modern “steam engines” all sound like front wheel drive cars and have transmissions instead of “Johnson Bars“. After we finished the little ride and destroyed part of the gift shop, Matthew and I with the kids decided to wait in the van for the women to finish buying gifts. I turned the camera on Zach as he was sitting so comfortable like and all in the booster seat and he did the cutest thing. Listen carefully, Zach loves buttons and cameras – listen to his request.
Of course, I had to let him touch the camera, he is such a careful and thoughtful little guy!
That evening we had a good time just hanging out and enjoying the twins. Next morning, we had some plans and Zach and Rissa are very active in the morning!
She sure has fun with that ball! That day the big fun was going to be swimming! Zach was not too happy with the deep water but Rissa loved it!
We did many fun things including a visit to my friend Mike who is responsible for the care and display of the Chrysler Turbine car that is owned by the Transportation Museum in St. Louis. The car was at his home as he had just finished some minor repairs on it. That was the first time my wife and son ever heard a turbine car. My wife has seen most of the remaining cars with me and my son probably does not remember but he saw the one at the Henry Ford museum and the Detroit Historical car when it was on loan to the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago.
This photo has Matthew shooting video and I am just about to get into the car to start it. We did not get a chance to drive or ride in it because the insurance will not allow anyone but Mike in the car when it is moving.
We visited the Arch one evening and we spent two mornings at the St. Louis Zoo. It was great fun to see the twins excitement at seeing so many animals in one place. We had to make it over two mornings because the twins still need to keep on a schedule and it made everything easier. In the following video, Zach and Rissa love the Monkey’s!
It was kind of sad when Saturday came around and we had to head home, we had really enjoyed the time with the other Olson family. We really miss all of them – before we left Saturday at around noon, we visited a most unusual place – The Magic House. This started as a family dwelling and has blossomed into a children’s museum like none other. We spent two hours there and it had something for every age child from 1 to 100.
The Magic house has so much, if you have children or grandchildren – it is almost worth the visit to St. Louis just to see that place.
On the way home we went the back roads and even stopped at a car show in Charles Iowa. It was a great time.
