Not everything got done on Tuesday, but enough that I was tired and my feet hurt. My rings on my Apple Watch said I walked 6.5 miles for about 14,400 steps, including 5 sets of stairs climbed. The walk back to the hotel in the hot afternoon sun and sore feet was certainly enough.
I did return to the Idol Wolf bar for dinner despite the problems yesterday, as the staff had changed, and Chase was there. I saw she was attentive to all customers, and no one was ignored. I had planned dinner in my room from a local place, but then saw Chase and decided to try it again.
Also, my AMEX Gold was missing. I had left it at the bar when I was upset by witnessing a young black woman being ignored. I was able to retrieve it; the bar had held it for me.
I had an Old Fashioned and talked to Sandra, who was here for a conference (I later learned that the person to my left was putting on the conference). I decided on the lamb for dinner (expensive) and then waited over 30 minutes for it (having switched to coffee). My dinner was cold, and the rice was poorly cooked. The bartender agreed to try again, and it was sent back. Twenty minutes later, a perfect dinner appeared, and it was the best lamb I have ever tasted. Wow!
Chase suggested the cheesecake, and it was wonderful too. The bill was high, but it was a great end to my trip, and I was satisfied as I watched her treat everyone well as a customer. Excellent.
I returned to my room, packed a bit, and then did the Church Council Zoom meeting from my hotel room. That meeting went well and finished in an hour. I was happy to learn that the church had received a positive response to some mailings I was involved with and that 1/3 of the roof loan was now paid off.
After that I put on my PJs, packed some more, and read. I soon slept, but woke, as often happens on the night before traveling, often.
Before this, starting in the morning, I rose after the sunrise and wrote the blog in the hotel room. I decided to try somewhere else for breakfast, and the White Knight was nearby. It is a rundown place, but the staff was laughing, and it was clearly a local place that served the people of color in the area. I, obviously a newcomer, was welcomed to a table and treated well. Later, I saw a table was marked reserved, set with plates and water, and then an older man with a cane and his wife, likely a preacher from what I could tell, were treated with honor and as friends. My food was good, a bit better than what I got at the hotel, and about half the price. I enjoyed the laughter, smiles, and the special treatment for the honored guests.
At the White Knight, the window had been smashed, and a bit of plywood was now in place. The front door was heavy and new, obviously replaced. The place, while not dirty, had areas with hanging electricals that had not been powered for years and certainly not cleaned of late. A USA flag was in the window, as was ‘God Bless America’ on the window (what was left) with another USA flag. The food was fresh and hot. The coffee was plentiful and strong. It is a former White Castle and is now the local dive.
From there, I walked to the Union Station, trying to find the Metro. I managed to walk into the hotel and walk on the wrong side. Reversing, I found my way to the Metro. I was tempted to call for an Uber as my day was wasting, but I kept at it until I spotted the Metro sign. I bought a $5 All-Day pass and discovered that a person just let me in because they have not yet switched to a cardless system. She did watch me pay.
Stairs are a thing here in St Louis, and I walked down to the stop (there is an elevator, I learned later). I boarded the train, which was spotless, and the folks were ignoring each other. Some talking to someone on the phone the whole time. After five stops, I reached Forest Park. It was now a mile walk to the Art Museum, and it was getting warm already.
There is a bus, but I decided I could walk it. It was a long walk and some of it uphill. It was a breezy, sunny day and perfect for a long walk. The river and pond hosted turtles on logs, some alone, others in groups.
When I finally reached the Art Museum, I was happy to have done the walk. The museum is free, but the Rome Art Show was $20. It was a fantastic show, and I was sorry that there was no book to match it, as the art and history were worthy of a BBC narrative. I could just hear Mary Beard walking through and explaining everything (but the text on the walls did well).
The show covers the period of Roman Art and History just before the date believed to be the writing of the Revelation of John. How perfect, as I am teaching that next month! I walked through the show and enjoyed the sculpture and fragments of frescoes loaned from various Italian Museums. And while most, if not all, of the artifacts would be back-room stuff that seldom went on display there, it was a treasure here and a good fit for the narrow subject. Most of it was the 1st Century AD. Again, perfect for me, and also mention of trade and the harbor work to increase trade with Rome. Almost premade for my class!
I enjoyed the walk, the Roman retelling of Greek Myths, and the focus on the Trojans, whom the poet Virgil connects to the founder of Rome. I also like the identified statues of emperors that were recut for the next guy. Nero to Caligula and one with a new hairstyle to match the emperor’s new ‘do.
I found the cafe on level one and paid the usual 125% for food at a museum, but the chicken Waldorf salad sandwich (just half on a croissant) with chips was great. Also, the Diet Coke was wonderful; I suspect I was still dehydrated. Next, I found their armor and weapon collection. Just a few pieces, but with a 1400s helmet that was called out as the best in the collection. One piece of metal was hammered into a perfect, curved helm that would deflect hits with those lines.
Next, the French Impressionist and yet-another-lily-pad-pond by Monet and other excellent works on the main floor (the arms were in a far corner of the basement level and down a flight of wooden stairs — I walked the length of the museum three times). A very nice collection. I could feel myself relax and smile as I walked among paintings I had not seen before.
The park and the St. Louis Art Museum (with a giant bronze statue of St. Louis on a horse, charging off into the park, holding his sword as a cross) were great. I was feeling like I had found the soul of the city here. But I was not walking again for another hour. I ordered an Uber and connected next to the house back, Saint, and headed to the US Chess Hall of Fame. The St. Louis Chess Club is the center of US competitive chess, and the US Chess Federation, the Hall of Fame, and the museum are located together at Maryland and Euclid Streets in St. Louis.
It was a short, cheap trip, and soon I was at the museum, only to learn that it opens again in two weeks, but I was welcome to walk around and peek. I was disappointed, but I still walked around the area and looked at their chess set of the week. I bought some pencils (the purchase was wrapped in chessboard tissue paper). Next, I crossed the street, and the SLC took me for a tour of their building and facilities. I have only seen it in pictures. Here was where the Grand Masters taught and played. New Orleans may have more Grand Masters, but clearly, SLC was here to teach and continue the sport. I was happy to get a bookmark and some pencils to give away.
Across the street is the Kingside Grill and Bar. It is full of chess master photos and game posters. I had an Old Fashioned as that seemed the right drink. I enjoyed the drink and just hanging out at a bar and food joint that is focused on chess. I remember the same feeling when I played chess in Amsterdam; I was the only one not smoking something mind-altering.
I walked and walked to the Metro. I also somehow lost my pass and bought a new one-way pass for a few bucks. I took the light rail back to Union Station. A guy threw his bike on the train, security looked at it, shook their heads, and let it be; it was not in the way.
Next, I paid too much, $45, to enjoy the St Louis Aquarium (there was an extra charge for petting rays) and did enjoy it. I went up to one tank with someone next to it, put my hand on the edge, and she told me not to do this. I at first thought this was another pet-the-fish tank. She informed me these were the famous spitting fish (I stepped back), could jump three feet (I stepped back), and had teeth (I stepped back). She waved a wand over the fish, and one bored fish spit at it. She told me they are very smart, the smartest in the facility, she thinks, and know that they don’t get fed by spitting at the ball. I moved on.
Later, I did pet a jellyfish, and that was fun. I considered raising jellyfish once and/or volunteering at an aquarium (Linda, my sister, is already thinking, while reading this, of tiny branding irons with a stylized MRW on them, and a jellyfish round-up). But that dream faded as travel and other options arose. I enjoy seeing them at such places and never mind the price.
The sharks and other huge fish were in the Canyon tank, and I marveled at that. There were also some disconnected reef tanks that always stop me. The dome extension tank and Lion Fish were marvelous. It was like they were swimming in the hallway with you. These are now a pest fish, but still lovely, and I understand delicious (when properly cooked and thus destroying the venom).
I had been walking or standing for hours now, and my feet hurt. I had to walk five blocks to get to the hotel. They seemed long. I also got a photo of the now-closed White Knight. I learned that many food places close early and BBQ places only serve until the food they made lasts (the BBQ is made in single-day batches; get it while it lasts).
I returned to the hotel, got to my room, and rested. And then completing the circle, I head downstairs, not sure if I would use the hotel’s Idol Wolf restaurant or not.
Thanks for reading!
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