We were ready to spend the second day in and around St. Louis. We headed out on the Historic Route 66. Our first stop was Starbucks. Dean went inside to get both of ours this morning. Robin usually lets hers steep a little before drinking it since she orders it extra hot. When she got ready to take a drink, it was not her soy chai tea latte, but rather some mocha drink. It tasted awful since Robin doesn't drink or eat ANYTHING coffee! At home, we would have taken it back. However, we were already on our way and didn't pass another Starbucks. Dean enjoyed his coffee!
The Museum of Transportation was our outing for the morning. We spent about 2 hours there, mostly because it was very hot and muggy with intermittent rain showers. When we first pulled into the parking lot, we had to wait at a railroad crossing. The museum had a miniature train that transported guests around the property several times for a small fee.
There were lots of different displays in the main building, but some were just outstanding. They had a display of Henry Ford's Model T cars. It was exciting to see 4 of them next to each other. We could make comparisons not only in physical features, but also in cost.
One wall was painted with a fabulous timeline of transportation, complete with photos and models. We just couldn't leave it. There was so much information in one place. It was by far the best timeline display we had ever seen. We made a point of telling the museum staff how much we enjoyed it.
In other areas, there were themed cabinets of items. For example, one cabinet had examples of all different kinds of school buses. Another one contained different kinds of fire trucks. Each display was fascinating on its own. On the ends of each cabinet were different tidbits of transportation knowledge. This was one of Robin's favorite features.
There were lots of young children with their parents headed for the Creation Station area. In the summer, they offer different transportation themed craft projects. They were very excited with what they had made. They also loved the outside play area where they could pedal little train cars around a track.
We left the main building and walked up hill to the automobile building. There were so many vehicles on display from an 1890 horse-drawn hearse to a early 1900s A. L. Dyke steam car built from a kit to a 1957 Chevy Bel Air convertible. It was amazing to see the progression of technology used in these vehicles.
From the automobile building, we walked out to see all of the old trains. Many of the trains allowed people to climb up into them while others were closed off. There were many interesting train cars to see, including one of the original lock-towing locomotives (ship mules) used for the Panama Canal.
In the last building, the displays dealt with signals, lanterns, whistles, telegraphs, and much more.
On the way to the parking lot, we walked to the 1955 aerotrain. This was one Dean really wanted to see. It was very unique. When we headed to the car, we were greeted by a flock of Canadian geese in the parking lot as well as a Cardinal. They seemed to pose for pictures.
We left the Museum of Transportation and ate leftover chicken sandwiches and chips from Arthur Bryant's in the car. It was just as yummy the second time.
The Museum of Transportation was our outing for the morning. We spent about 2 hours there, mostly because it was very hot and muggy with intermittent rain showers. When we first pulled into the parking lot, we had to wait at a railroad crossing. The museum had a miniature train that transported guests around the property several times for a small fee.
There were lots of different displays in the main building, but some were just outstanding. They had a display of Henry Ford's Model T cars. It was exciting to see 4 of them next to each other. We could make comparisons not only in physical features, but also in cost.
There were lots of young children with their parents headed for the Creation Station area. In the summer, they offer different transportation themed craft projects. They were very excited with what they had made. They also loved the outside play area where they could pedal little train cars around a track.
We left the main building and walked up hill to the automobile building. There were so many vehicles on display from an 1890 horse-drawn hearse to a early 1900s A. L. Dyke steam car built from a kit to a 1957 Chevy Bel Air convertible. It was amazing to see the progression of technology used in these vehicles.
In the last building, the displays dealt with signals, lanterns, whistles, telegraphs, and much more.
On the way to the parking lot, we walked to the 1955 aerotrain. This was one Dean really wanted to see. It was very unique. When we headed to the car, we were greeted by a flock of Canadian geese in the parking lot as well as a Cardinal. They seemed to pose for pictures.
We left the Museum of Transportation and ate leftover chicken sandwiches and chips from Arthur Bryant's in the car. It was just as yummy the second time.
Our next stop was a mistake, but a cool one. We were going to learn about Ulysses S. Grant, but went to park. We pulled in the parking lot, but found we were in Grant's Farm parking and not the visitor center. After explaining where we wanted to go, the attendant showed us how to get back on the road to get to the visitor center. As we were driving out of the parking lot, the Clydesdale horses were directly in front of us in their corrals. We took a few pictures quickly as we drove by. We wished we had time to add Grant's Farm into the day, but knew we had to move on if we were to do what was planned.
National Historic Site #34 - Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site
Our first thought was how confusing it was to have Grant's
Farm next door to the Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site Visitor Center. We associated Grant's Farm with Anheuser-Busch, especially with the Clydesdales being on property. Why would these places be next to each other? We went inside the Visitor Center. The Park Rangers told us they would put on the movie for us before the tour of the property began. We watched the movie which gave us a good overview of Ulysses S. Grant's life. As soon as it was over, the Park Ranger was outside the door, waiting for us with 2 other people.
Off we went to see White Haven, which was the Grant family house. The property belonged to Grant's wife's family, the Dents. The Park Ranger proceeded to tell us that the Grants lived there at different times of their lives. Ulysses wrote his autobiography there up until his death. The house was painted Paris Green so the question was asked why it was called White Haven. The Park Ranger explained that White Haven was the name of previous properties the Dents owned so they called this property White Haven as well. The color was very popular during the era this house was built.
We toured the first floor and learned the second floor was closed to visitors due to the condition of the stairs for high traffic. The rooms were mostly unfurnished because the Grant furnishings were burned in a fire. They had been stored in another building prior to the National Park Service maintaining the property.
We also explored the ice house, the chicken house, and the kitchens that were outside of the resident. One kitchen was under the house in a storm shelter. The livestock barn had been turned into a museum.
National Historic Site #34 - Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site
Our first thought was how confusing it was to have Grant's Farm next door to the Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site Visitor Center. We associated Grant's Farm with Anheuser-Busch, especially with the Clydesdales being on property. Why would these places be next to each other? We went inside the Visitor Center. The Park Rangers told us they would put on the movie for us before the tour of the property began. We watched the movie which gave us a good overview of Ulysses S. Grant's life. As soon as it was over, the Park Ranger was outside the door, waiting for us with 2 other people.
Off we went to see White Haven, which was the Grant family house. The property belonged to Grant's wife's family, the Dents. The Park Ranger proceeded to tell us that the Grants lived there at different times of their lives. Ulysses wrote his autobiography there up until his death. The house was painted Paris Green so the question was asked why it was called White Haven. The Park Ranger explained that White Haven was the name of previous properties the Dents owned so they called this property White Haven as well. The color was very popular during the era this house was built.
We toured the first floor and learned the second floor was closed to visitors due to the condition of the stairs for high traffic. The rooms were mostly unfurnished because the Grant furnishings were burned in a fire. They had been stored in another building prior to the National Park Service maintaining the property.
We also explored the ice house, the chicken house, and the kitchens that were outside of the resident. One kitchen was under the house in a storm shelter. The livestock barn had been turned into a museum.
Before we left, we asked about our initial question. It was explained to us that the Grant property was quite extensive. The Dent Family gave Ulysses and his wife, Julia, 80 acres as a wedding present. Ulysses used to work the land that is now Grant's Farm. The property is now owned by the Busch Family. The property houses the Busch Mansion, Grant's Farm, and a cabin which was built by Ulysses S. Grant on another part of the property and relocated to the Farm. It is the only remaining structure that was hand-built by a U.S. president prior to assuming office. A local group of residents petitioned to make White Haven a National Historic Site. Congress authorized in 1989 and the park was established in 1990. Now we understood the connection.
We left there and went back to Bellefontaine Cemetary. We drove through the winding roads and saw the beautiful grounds with green grass and fountains in ponds. As we drove, we saw very unique headstones as well as mausoleums of every shape and size. Some of them were built into the side of a hill and others were ornately decorated on the outside. We found several different burial sites for the Anheuser Family. We thought we should have left breadcrumbs because it was very easy to get lost in this cemetery.
When we got back to the hotel, Robin went to do laundry in the hotel. She couldn't find it so went to the front desk. When she asked where the laundry was, the front staff laughed and said they didn't have a laundry, as if Robin had horns. That was the only hotel on the entire trip that didn't have a guest laundry. The attitude started at check in and continued on the next day with different staff. Obviously, this was a management problem. The room itself was fine, but we were definitely glad it was our last night. We got our things ready for the next day and went to bed. It was time for this stay to be over.
However, we had a day that saw changes over time. From developing transportation to a President of the United States who held many different jobs in his life to a cemetery, recording the history of many lives. All of this reminded us that time passes too quickly to worry about things you can not change. Life is good when you pass time with people you love.
