25th Anniversary
October 18, 2019
State of Missouri
City of Mansfield
Rocky Ridge Farm
Day One
We rushed to the airport after school was released, and we got the boys back home. With a tight timing walking right onto the plane, we enjoyed the three-hour flight to St. Louis that arrived at 11:45 pm. We drove to the St. Louis Union Station Hotel, transformed from the historic train station into a hotel, shops, and conference center. It was not the first time we have been in a large train station, but the scale, architecture, and ornamentation is always breathtakingly beautiful as it pulls our eye to the eternal. Julie’s first question was, “Do you rent this grand lobby out for balls?” as she saw a perfectly gorgeous space for our annual formal 12th Night Ball. (They do!) We stayed in a railroad-themed room named after the St. Louis Iron Mountain & Southern Railway in the Clock Tower of the station overlooking the grand lobby. It was a long day that culminated in beauty and sleep.
Day Two
After breakfast in a restaurant in the enormous station-revitalization-project, we drove to Grant’s Farm, formerly owned by Ulysses S. Grant, before being sold to the Busch Family of Budweiser Fame. We stopped by to see the Clydesdales because they are truly massive and incredibly beautiful animals. Sadly, we had no time for Julie to take a camel ride at the farm. After that quick stop, we were off to Fort Leonard Wood. On the way we started this year’s Poirot mystery, Death On The Nile. Half-way there, we stopped in Cuba, Missouri, home of the oldest continually operating motel on the historic Route 66. Stopping to take a picture of an adorable hay bale creation, we met a hospitable local farmer selling produce, mums, and pumpkins. A self-proclaimed Amish-boy from western Kentucky, he enjoys providing beauty in flowers and produce and engaged us in good conversation. His kind gift of freshly made apple butter from his own copper kettle last Saturday, proved genuine hospitality. He encouraged us to drive the Route 66 section through downtown Cuba (mural capital of Missouri) before continuing to Ft. Leonard Wood. Arriving at Fort Leonard Wood and getting our base pass, we headed to the U.S. Army Engineer Museum. It was a fascinating history of the engineers from Alexander the Great through the present War on Terrorism. It was especially poignant to see acknowledgement of the bridge at Maastricht that Eric’s dad rebuilt during WWII in the museum. The ability of these men throughout history to take dominion and build possibilities regardless of necessary equipment is truly remarkable and humbling. Leaving the base, we drove through some stunning Missouri country roads showing eye-popping fall colors and rolling hills on our way to Mansfield. We arrived at the Laura Ingalls Wilder Home & Museum (Rocky Ridge Farm) where she wrote all of the Little House books. Since Julie currently teaches the first two books to second-graders, it was especially meaningful. The museum section that displayed the actual family items she mentioned in the books brought the family to life for those who have spent time in the books. She and Almanzo were married for 64 years, so the Rocky Ridge Farm seemed a fitting place for us to renew our vows under Laura and Almanzo’s apple tree on the property. (No, we did not carve our initials.) We also toured the farm house they built over a 17-year period by adding room by room when they could afford it. Lake of the Ozarks was our final stop of the day where we stayed at the Lodge of Four Seasons. What a combination of décor! Spain, Asia, and the 1970s collided to form this resort which is obviously a popular spot on the lake in the summer.
Day Three
After omelets in our room, we took a lovely walk around the Japanese gardens complete with waterfalls, and then it was time to drive along the backroads to Kansas City. We stopped briefly at Whiteman Air Force Base to see if we could peek at the B-2 Bombers that are based there. Sadly, they would not let us in. Tours were over for the season. In Kansas City, we got a taste of authentic local BBQ at the famous Gates BBQ. Friendly people, delicious burnt ends, and spicy sauces made the meal. Our enjoyment for the afternoon was to gaze at the beauty in the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and on the grounds around it. There were weddings galore today on the grounds of the museum. The four enormous shuttlecocks were a whimsical delight outside amid the sculpture garden, and inside the museum, Carvaggio’s John the Baptist in the Wilderness was an incredibly powerful painting to soak in. We kept coming back and standing for long periods to enjoy it and see more nuance. Also exciting for Julie was to see the ancient Egyptian art from the Old Kingdom which was just introduced to her students this past week. Eric had seen The Gates of Paradise by Ghiberti when he was in Florence earlier this summer with Jackson. Today, we saw a replica that we were able to TOUCH! The docent was especially enthusiastic and helpful in both educating everyone and giving a sense of awe around the Biblical stories told on the door panels. Inscribed in the stone exterior walls of the museum were these quotes:
True painting is only an image of the perfection of God
As all nature's thousand changes
But one changeless God proclaim
So in art's wide kingdom ranges
One sole meaning still the same
This is truth eternal reason
Which from beauty takes its dress
And serene through time and season
Stands for aye in loveliness
Art deals with things forever
Incapable of definition and
That belong to love beauty
Joy and worship the shapes
Powers and glory of which are
Ever building unbuilding and
Rebuilding in each man's soul
And in the soul of the whole world
We then headed out to Excelsior Springs and the Elms Hotel & Spa which was frequented by Harry S. Truman and Al Capone. While dodging another wedding, we snuck around the walkways of the gardens around the hotel. Dressed for a true anniversary celebration, we dined at Eighty Eight at the Elms to complete the day. Dinner was comical. We realized our expectations for this restaurant were not in line with the fact that we were in Excelsior Springs, MO. They were not aware of the difference between a red and a white Zinfandel, and regardless of the order for the steak, all were ‘well done.’ We smiled a lot even through the many “I’m so sorry” comments from the waitress, and we enjoyed our dinner together with rich conversation and giggles along the way as always.
Day Four
Our breakfast buffet went better than the dinner the night before, and we stopped on the way out of town to peek at what’s called the Hall of Waters where back in the 1930s they pumped all of the springs into a spa/pool building of grand proportions. Walking along the deserted Sunday morning downtown area, we noticed a shoemaker shop where folks can learn how to create shoes themselves. What a fun idea! In Fulton, still listening to Poirot along the way, we visited the National Churchill Museum which is in a church originally dating from the 11th century and brought over from England (disassembled and reassembled) to honor the man. It is on the campus of Westminster College where Churchill gave his historic “iron curtain” speech in 1946 while visiting alongside President Truman. On the way back to St. Louis, we finished our Poirot mystery in time to stop at the World’s Largest Chess Piece. Check mate! Then it was on to the Gateway Arch where we enjoyed the museum and a fall walk through the park surrounding the arch. The Mississippi was running high and the sun and breeze were glorious. Then we were off to the airport for the flight home to our boys who reported they were enjoying a weekend without parents. Our time was short but wonderful!
Funny fact of the trip:
All three hotels gave us 2nd floor views of air conditioning units.
October 18, 2019
State of Missouri
City of Mansfield
Rocky Ridge Farm
Day One
We rushed to the airport after school was released, and we got the boys back home. With a tight timing walking right onto the plane, we enjoyed the three-hour flight to St. Louis that arrived at 11:45 pm. We drove to the St. Louis Union Station Hotel, transformed from the historic train station into a hotel, shops, and conference center. It was not the first time we have been in a large train station, but the scale, architecture, and ornamentation is always breathtakingly beautiful as it pulls our eye to the eternal. Julie’s first question was, “Do you rent this grand lobby out for balls?” as she saw a perfectly gorgeous space for our annual formal 12th Night Ball. (They do!) We stayed in a railroad-themed room named after the St. Louis Iron Mountain & Southern Railway in the Clock Tower of the station overlooking the grand lobby. It was a long day that culminated in beauty and sleep.
Day Two
After breakfast in a restaurant in the enormous station-revitalization-project, we drove to Grant’s Farm, formerly owned by Ulysses S. Grant, before being sold to the Busch Family of Budweiser Fame. We stopped by to see the Clydesdales because they are truly massive and incredibly beautiful animals. Sadly, we had no time for Julie to take a camel ride at the farm. After that quick stop, we were off to Fort Leonard Wood. On the way we started this year’s Poirot mystery, Death On The Nile. Half-way there, we stopped in Cuba, Missouri, home of the oldest continually operating motel on the historic Route 66. Stopping to take a picture of an adorable hay bale creation, we met a hospitable local farmer selling produce, mums, and pumpkins. A self-proclaimed Amish-boy from western Kentucky, he enjoys providing beauty in flowers and produce and engaged us in good conversation. His kind gift of freshly made apple butter from his own copper kettle last Saturday, proved genuine hospitality. He encouraged us to drive the Route 66 section through downtown Cuba (mural capital of Missouri) before continuing to Ft. Leonard Wood. Arriving at Fort Leonard Wood and getting our base pass, we headed to the U.S. Army Engineer Museum. It was a fascinating history of the engineers from Alexander the Great through the present War on Terrorism. It was especially poignant to see acknowledgement of the bridge at Maastricht that Eric’s dad rebuilt during WWII in the museum. The ability of these men throughout history to take dominion and build possibilities regardless of necessary equipment is truly remarkable and humbling. Leaving the base, we drove through some stunning Missouri country roads showing eye-popping fall colors and rolling hills on our way to Mansfield. We arrived at the Laura Ingalls Wilder Home & Museum (Rocky Ridge Farm) where she wrote all of the Little House books. Since Julie currently teaches the first two books to second-graders, it was especially meaningful. The museum section that displayed the actual family items she mentioned in the books brought the family to life for those who have spent time in the books. She and Almanzo were married for 64 years, so the Rocky Ridge Farm seemed a fitting place for us to renew our vows under Laura and Almanzo’s apple tree on the property. (No, we did not carve our initials.) We also toured the farm house they built over a 17-year period by adding room by room when they could afford it. Lake of the Ozarks was our final stop of the day where we stayed at the Lodge of Four Seasons. What a combination of décor! Spain, Asia, and the 1970s collided to form this resort which is obviously a popular spot on the lake in the summer.
Day Three
After omelets in our room, we took a lovely walk around the Japanese gardens complete with waterfalls, and then it was time to drive along the backroads to Kansas City. We stopped briefly at Whiteman Air Force Base to see if we could peek at the B-2 Bombers that are based there. Sadly, they would not let us in. Tours were over for the season. In Kansas City, we got a taste of authentic local BBQ at the famous Gates BBQ. Friendly people, delicious burnt ends, and spicy sauces made the meal. Our enjoyment for the afternoon was to gaze at the beauty in the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and on the grounds around it. There were weddings galore today on the grounds of the museum. The four enormous shuttlecocks were a whimsical delight outside amid the sculpture garden, and inside the museum, Carvaggio’s John the Baptist in the Wilderness was an incredibly powerful painting to soak in. We kept coming back and standing for long periods to enjoy it and see more nuance. Also exciting for Julie was to see the ancient Egyptian art from the Old Kingdom which was just introduced to her students this past week. Eric had seen The Gates of Paradise by Ghiberti when he was in Florence earlier this summer with Jackson. Today, we saw a replica that we were able to TOUCH! The docent was especially enthusiastic and helpful in both educating everyone and giving a sense of awe around the Biblical stories told on the door panels. Inscribed in the stone exterior walls of the museum were these quotes:
True painting is only an image of the perfection of God
As all nature's thousand changes
But one changeless God proclaim
So in art's wide kingdom ranges
One sole meaning still the same
This is truth eternal reason
Which from beauty takes its dress
And serene through time and season
Stands for aye in loveliness
Art deals with things forever
Incapable of definition and
That belong to love beauty
Joy and worship the shapes
Powers and glory of which are
Ever building unbuilding and
Rebuilding in each man's soul
And in the soul of the whole world
We then headed out to Excelsior Springs and the Elms Hotel & Spa which was frequented by Harry S. Truman and Al Capone. While dodging another wedding, we snuck around the walkways of the gardens around the hotel. Dressed for a true anniversary celebration, we dined at Eighty Eight at the Elms to complete the day. Dinner was comical. We realized our expectations for this restaurant were not in line with the fact that we were in Excelsior Springs, MO. They were not aware of the difference between a red and a white Zinfandel, and regardless of the order for the steak, all were ‘well done.’ We smiled a lot even through the many “I’m so sorry” comments from the waitress, and we enjoyed our dinner together with rich conversation and giggles along the way as always.
Day Four
Our breakfast buffet went better than the dinner the night before, and we stopped on the way out of town to peek at what’s called the Hall of Waters where back in the 1930s they pumped all of the springs into a spa/pool building of grand proportions. Walking along the deserted Sunday morning downtown area, we noticed a shoemaker shop where folks can learn how to create shoes themselves. What a fun idea! In Fulton, still listening to Poirot along the way, we visited the National Churchill Museum which is in a church originally dating from the 11th century and brought over from England (disassembled and reassembled) to honor the man. It is on the campus of Westminster College where Churchill gave his historic “iron curtain” speech in 1946 while visiting alongside President Truman. On the way back to St. Louis, we finished our Poirot mystery in time to stop at the World’s Largest Chess Piece. Check mate! Then it was on to the Gateway Arch where we enjoyed the museum and a fall walk through the park surrounding the arch. The Mississippi was running high and the sun and breeze were glorious. Then we were off to the airport for the flight home to our boys who reported they were enjoying a weekend without parents. Our time was short but wonderful!
Funny fact of the trip:
All three hotels gave us 2nd floor views of air conditioning units.