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It has been a while since we have been back from spring break. We took a few pictures for your enjoyment. Here is a quick run-down of what we did.

Monday

St. Patrick's Day. Gaila and I met up with Brett, Sheng, and Colin for lunch at Dublin Bay, and then prepared for the trip.

Tuesday

Drove down, more or less following a more or less planned trip following the Mississippi River in Missouri. We got a few pictures along some road-side parks, but it was really misty and the visibility wasn't the best.

Nearing St. Louis, it began to rain. By the time we got on the interstate leading into town it was coming down pretty hard. Having never been to St. Louis before, Gaila had my iPhone out directing me to the hotel. After arriving and checking in, we went to the House of Savoy, conveniently located in the hotel.

Wednesday

After sleeping in a good while on our overly soft bed, sheets, and pillows, we walked to downtown for breakfast at Teutenberg's then to along Market Street for a stop at Union Station. Gaila got some marbles and a book for her mom that would be given to her for her birthday before we get back, and I got my shot glass. I am getting a shot glass for every major city / place I go to. So far I have picked up San Francisco, Juárez, and St. Louis.

On our way back to the hotel, we stopped to pick up tickets to the Arch. For dinner we ate at Hannegans in Laclede's Landing. We then returned to the hotel to get the car and drive to a show at The Fabulous Fox Theater to see "The Wedding Singer" musical. We enjoyed the show, but we seemed to be more impressed with the theater itself. We noted they had tours and planned to bump our planned zoo trip to get a tour the next day.

Thursday

We slept in a little late, which prompted us to eat self-made sandwiches in the hotel room so we could make it to the tour of the Fox Theater. The theater tour was very nice. Unfortunately, we were not allowed backstage, take pictures of the stage, or get a performance of their big theater organ (Apparently the 2nd largest theater organ behind Radio City Music Hall). We were a few minutes late getting there, but managed to join the tour in progress with the organist at the lobby organ. The tour included stops through the Fox Club and the woman's and men's lounges. Gaila got plenty of pictures.

After the tour, we dropped the car back off at the hotel and headed for the arch via lunch at the nearby Cafe Mattino where Gaila ordered a intensely flavored mango-peach smoothie. When we arrived at the arch, we walked around the National Expansion Museum until it was time for our train to leave for the top of the arch. When we arrived for our appointment, it turned out they were running about 30 minutes behind schedule. To kill time, we spent a few minutes at the gift shop. The train to the top was fairly cramped. There were 8 cars, each seating 5 people snugly. After the arch, we returned to the hotel for a nap, because getting up before noon was way to early for us; plus, we were planning on staying out late.

Once we were well rested, we walked out to BB's Jazz Blues & Soup. We stayed for two sets of live music. The first set was just a guy and a guitar who was pretty good. The second set, things picked up quite a bit. The place filled up as the band was setting up. We ended up staying until around midnight enjoying the music, people watching, and a couple drinks.

Friday

We checkout out of the hotel and went for breakfast at Cafe Mattino before we headed towards Ottumwa. Once we got there we settled in and watched a couple Lipizzaner movies.

Saturday

Gaila went riding with Adrienne and Ashley in the morning while I helped their parents move some furniture to storage and move some other furniture from their old house to the farm we were staying at. By the time it was 4:00 pm or so, it was time to leave for Des Moines after a brief stop at Gaila's cousin's place.

In Des Moines we met with Bob and Marty (Gaila's aunt and uncle who live in Des Moines), Becca, and Gaila's mom for her birthday at Buzzard Billy's where we gave her the book we purchased for her at Union Station. After the good meal, we stopped by Bob and Marty's to see the progress of their kitchen, living room, and dining room remodel.

The way back to home was greeted with falling snow, grocery shopping, getting Gaila's mom's car out of the mud at the redemption center, and a trip to Cold Stone.

So, that was the recap of spring break. We're still waiting for spring to come to Iowa.