I’ve driven through St. Louis multiple times. I have even seen the arch up close and personal in my early twenties. So when someone very special to me asked “Meet me in St. Louis?” I couldn’t say no. I was able to stop overnight on my way out west. While in St. Louis, I took some incredible photos of the arch and downtown. So many places traveled and I seem to forget about some until I’m looking back for a particular photo. Then I run across some great pictures that I would like to share. So here are a few pics from my overnighter just inside the Missouri boarder. The short time there was so fun. Special memories were made and I know I will return again one day.
The Arch
The arch is quite magnificent if you’ve never seen it up close. Made from stainless steel, it glistened in the evening lights. Only recently I discovered the arch was completed in 1965 making it just 57 years old.
The Old Courthouse
St. Louis is also home of the Old Courthouse where the Dred Scott case was filed and heard. “The courthouse was built in 1839 and served as the site for a number of landmark civil rights cases” according to the Gateway Arch web page. You can read more interesting historical information about the Dred Scott Case at the National Park Service page.
Finally, these photos are from sculpture and art discovered while walking around downtown. I hope you enjoy and of course, any feedback is appreciated. Thanks for reading! xxooC
I’m so excited to give you my personal tour. Chicago has been a favorite destination of mine for a long time. The city offers so much to do, see, and experience. Besides housing great works of art, these parks also host a variety of events throughout the year.
The reason I wanted to highlight these two parks specifically was this. As I travel around and I talk about places I love, Chicago seems to be a place where I frequently hear the phrase “I would love to see Chicago, especially the Bean and the waterfront.” Well, as I was looking through photos, I came across some I just wanted to share with you!
These are just some highlights this space has to offer!
First Stop On My Personal Tour- The Bean of Course
My personal tour begins with the Bean. Specifically it’s name is Cloud Gate and it’s located in Millennium Park. The reflections leave me in awe and I just can’t get enough of this space. I have sat here for hours one day.
According to MillenniumPark.org, “Cloud Gate was created by using computer technology to cut 168 massive stainless-steel plates into precise shapes which were then pieced together like a puzzle and welded shut. Once fully assembled, the 12-foot-high central arch provided a “gate” to the concave chamber on the underside of the sculpture prompting Kapoor to formally name the piece Cloud Gate. A network of two large internal rings connects a truss that allowed the sculpture to be assembled and direct the weight to two points at the base. The stainless-steel skin was attached to the internal structure with flexible connectors that allow it to expand and contract in response to the extreme weather conditions in Chicago. The cost of Cloud Gate was completely underwritten by the Millennium Park Foundation using funds from private donors.”
Second Stop On My Personal Tour- The Famous Buckingham Fountain.
“The Clarence Buckingham Memorial Fountain, one of the largest in the world, is located at Columbus Drive (301 East) and Congress Parkway (500 South) in Grant Park and runs from 8 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. daily, typically from early May through mid-October, depending on weather. Display times are subject to change during special events in Grant Park.”
“While in operation, the Fountain produces a major water display for 20 minutes every hour. During the major display, a center jet shoots water to a height of 150 feet into the air. Major displays begin daily at 9:00 a.m. and continue thereafter, every hour on the hour. Beginning at dusk, a spectacular light and music display accompanies the major display, beginning every hour on the hour for 20 minutes. Each evening, the final major display begins at 10:35 p.m.”
The first time I saw this fountain I was running through the park one morning. It stopped me in my tracks. The sheer size of it is enormous. This space is also worth some time just sitting. There are plenty of places for that too.
The Next Stop- The Agora.
My personal tour takes us back to Grant Park. Chicago.gov says this installation is “comprised of 106 nine-foot tall headless torsos made of cast iron, the artwork derives it name from the Greek word for meeting place. The figures are posed walking in groups in various directions or standing still. Internationally renowned artist Magdalena Abakanowicz donated the sculptural group along with the Polish Ministry of Culture, a Polish cultural foundation, and other private donors.”
I barely reach half way up the statue! Standing in the daylight with their shadows all around you is an experience I highly recommend.
We’re Almost Done- Metal Flowers!
I was running through the park on another occasion and came upon these flowers. My personal tour would not be complete without showing you lilies made from car parts. Honestly I had no idea they were car parts at the time. I just learned that little nugget when I was writing this.
The flowers are part of a 2006 “Allstate Insurance Company sponsored the Artists and Automobiles exhibit in honor of the company’s 75th anniversary.”
I’m not sure whether my photos are Dessa Kirk’s or John Mason’s flowers or both. The best information I could find about them is here at the Chicago Park District website. I just think they are unusually beautiful.
The Last Stop On My Personal Tour- Spirit Of Music Artwork.
It was erected in 1923 according to Chicago Parks and is by artist Albin Polasek.
Please click on the links provided to learn more about the works in each photo as well as other interesting features, sculptures, and things to see in these two fabulous parks.
Well that’s it for now. This concludes my personal tour for you. These are just some of the highlights I chose to photograph. Again, I make no claims to being a photographer and I usually won’t edit my photos for you.
I know this is just a couple of my favorites and you may have your own. Let me know what yours is! Thanks for reading and I wanted to mention, all of my photos are originals taken by me from 2016-2021.
So after the excellent tacos I had to go out walking around the city to explore. I’ve been here once before but that was last year and the end of summer. I was also nursing a severe leg wound from dumpster diving (I may write about that at some point) which cut my day short.
Directly across the street from the Power and Light District where the restaurants were was some amazing architecture. I love photographing buildings and murals. I definitely don’t consider myself a photographer by any means but I find the experience fun. So here goes!
The Parade of Hearts
I started to see these hearts around town. After a little Googling, I discovered they are part of an art installation from March until May. Over 100 artists contributed and you learn more about them at The Parade of Hearts website. There you can see all of the hearts and a map of where to locate them.
This heart above is called Fil-Am and by artist Jessica Endaya Keefer. It is a graphic representation of the Filipino-American culture. More about this particular heart can be found here.
This blue and yellow lemon heart is called What Do You Do When You Don’t Have Lemons by Ivey Zoellers and you can find her story here.
This lemon heart represents overcoming hardships with hope.
This heart is called Community Bookshelf. It’s in front of the library and is by Dimensional Innovations and Whiskey Design.
This is the library. The exterior is fascinating. Yes those are book spines of famous literary works.
Down toward the river is a walk. I’ve noticed this in other parts of the country wherever there is a fence type structure, there are locks.
Out Walking The Riverfront
A couple more photos from my walk. So there you have it. The city is so beautiful. I also visited the World War monument last summer. There’s a post coming about that soon also!
Well that’s it for this trip. If you have photos or comments of KC I would love to see and hear them! Thanks for reading.
My last night in Kansas City, MO and I wanted to eat tacos. So before heading home from this last trip, I spent it out and about in KC. Last stop over I stumbled upon Guy Fieris Dive and Taco Joint in The Power and Light District downtown. I tried to go then but they were closed during the afternoon I visited so I opted for another restaurant across the street. It was good but it wasn’t Guy Fieri’s. If you didn’t already know, I am a huge fan of Triple D and Triple G!
This time I got to go and eat tacos! I can’t begin to tell you how excited I was to visit Guy’s Taco Joint and yes, it was everything I hoped it would be. The atmosphere inside was just like stepping into a dive off of Triple D. Or maybe I imagined it but either way it was a great time.
I sat near an open air window. They have these garage door type windows that roll open on nice days. The weather had been nice that day and the air was a little chilly but nothing too terribly cold.
I can’t believe I’m actually here!!
Navigating The Menu
I located the menu online before going and found it large enough but not overwhelming. The taco menu was still hard to decide upon. Each order was for 4 tacos. I could order the same 4 tacos or split the order and have 2 different ones. I opted for the latter and had 2 el Pastor and 2 grilled shrimp. My friend also split his order and had 2 grilled shrimp and 2 carne asada. We also tried the carne asada fries.
I typically don’t eat beef. After driving past the cattle ranch in Stockton, I gave it up. It broke my heart but on occasion I will indulge and this was definitely a special occasion.
I think the pictures tell it all. The food was amazing. Everything was so flavorful just as you would expect from the name. I will absolutely go again next time I have the chance.
A Glimpse Inside
Here are a few shots of inside the joint. The decor is a mix and very eclectic. Lots to look at. The women’s bathroom had magazine covers on the stall walls and doors which was interesting. I highly recommend if you ever have the time and are in Kansas City, MO to go check this place out.
