Trip to visit our children in St Louis, MO and Little Rock, AR.
Sep 24th, 2016, 05:59 PM
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Trip to visit our children in St Louis, MO and Little Rock, AR.
This was not the best trip, and will be at times difficult to write. Good start, the shuttle was on time, we made it to the airport with some time to spare, got good seats on Southwest, and then it’s got cold on the plane. We were going to a hot area, didn’t bring many warm clothes. Husband’s arthritis flared up, hot coffee didn’t help much. When our son met us at the airport, my husband didn’t look well, could hardly walk. The next day he was burning up. We started making back-up plans. Luckily, his body replied to medications, and by the end of the trip he was feeling well enough to fly home.
Most of our sightseeing in both places followed this scenario: a short drive to some picturesque place, sit on a bench, drive back. In St Lois we saw the university where our son is working doing research, stopped in the Forest Park, went to another small park – across the river, and this is where the photos of the Arch are taken. We also ate out a couple of times, but this is a blur. Too worried about my husband. Only remember going to the Boathouse in the Forest park, the view was gorgeous, we were sitting outside, sweet service as everywhere, but the food was not good, not just the limited menu – I got hummus which was superb, but the pita chips were made out of cardboard, not edible, not even biteable, and too much sugar in the coleslaw.
We tried to drive up to the Arch or at least to the Courthouse, but this was the evening of Cardinals’ game, and the traffic was unbelievable, so we went over the bridge to the park that offered a photogenic view of the Arch.
In St Louis I got to experience the Southern Hospitality. We stopped at the pharmacy inside a supermarket, picked up a few things, and the cashier, a young man, asked my son: “Are these your mommy and daddy?” He shook our hands, saying: hello, mommy, hello, daddy – and no, he didn’t seem having mental issues. It was strange only to us, being used to San Francisco’s “directness”. Everywhere people were polite, sweet, helpful – hey, I can get used to it really fast!
Our son drove us down to Little Rock. The weather forecast called for heavy rain that will pass soon. Although we took the road that should’ve been out of the rain on the radar, we were caught in the heaviest one. Saw a car backwards on a highway, probably the driver pressed the breaks too hard. We got excited seeing lightning and hearing thunder, hardly ever get this in San Francisco. And the state is so green!
On the way we stopped at Lambert Café, per advice of a Fodor’s website poster. This was probably the highlight of our trip, second to seeing the children again. I must say, this was the strangest eating place I’ve ever visited. Even now, typing this, I am laughing. Though the food was great, my chicken wings were the tastiest ever, it was a weird place. The walls were covered with things to display, ceiling to floor. Waiters of both genders wore blue jeans, blue shirts and suspenders, looking absolutely nerdish.
First, we ordered drinks. Even water came in enormous mugs that looked more like beer steins. Entrees were huge. I don’t know who would want more, but they were carrying around trays and pushing carts with appetizers and desserts. Fried okra was offered out of a huge bowl, and tossed on a paper towel on the table. Everything was clean, just strange. US version of dim sum, commented our son. They announced on the loudspeaker somebody’s birthday, and later 25th wedding anniversary. Oh, and the rolls! A young man with a plastic glove on his hand tossed them to those who wanted to catch them. It was like being in a circus. He tossed up to 4 tables away, and people caught them.
Usually when you go to a popular place, it’s either food or entertainment. Strangely, we enjoyed both in this café. The only thing I didn’t like was the fried okra. It was slimy inside. It shouldn’t be. And one question remains unanswered: what happens if somebody doesn’t catch the bread roll?
In Little Rock the apartment was on the 2nd floor of an old building, 2 sets of steps to the first floor, 2 more to the 2nd. Too many steps for us. Children got us a room in Courtyard Marriott. There is at least one other Marriott in Little Rock, as we overheard the front desk clerk explaining to a visibly annoyed couple that they are in the wrong Marriott. Our room was large, with 2 queen beds, a love seat, comfortable armchairs, and large counter for cosmetics in the bathroom.
Upon check-in we were told, the breakfast is in the lobby at the Bistro, we went there, were given a menu without prices, so I asked if we should pay. Yes. Off we went to the front desk, no, breakfast is not included. We misunderstood the clerk from the night before. Our son checked us in, he does not have any language issues, and he was also surprised. We walked over to the River Market and got breakfast food. This was OK, just miscommunication, probably.
One thing we didn’t like were the maids. Nothing personal, but when 3 different maids knock on your door to ask if you are checking out, as they don’t understand the computer print-out they have, it doesn’t make you think high of a Marriott. And when the maid leaves only one paper cup to make coffee, it’s not nearly enough for 2 people in the room. We thought, we could pick up a cup on the way back from being out. Wrong! The front desk did not have cups. A man in a maintenance uniform went up to our floor, and got some from the maids’ supply room. One morning we noticed, the maid forgot to leave coffee and sugar. One day she didn’t replace the washcloth, only picked up the used one off the floor. Those are small things, but they add up – and it was not some run-down motel.
Marriott had a designated computer for printing boarding passes. Knowing that I’ve done it 100 times, I checked in, and sent the passes to printer. Got one pass only for me. Redone, same result. Checked “File, Print As” – all pages are there. Pleaded for help with the front desk – the guy walked over, flipped the page, and walked away. They print 2-sided, DUH.
We went to the Art Museum, it’s small, but has some interesting paintings: Renoir, Monet, and rotating exhibits. Went to the café for dessert only, as we had lunch earlier, and… after living in the US for 26 years, I tried crème brulee for the first time! Just never thought I might like it, but there is was much thicker than in other places. It was really nice.
Little Rock has a small efficient airport, and it was the first time I saw TSA personnel at the gate in addition to the security check. It was not a 2nd set of security before boarding like we experienced in Europe and South America, they just watched the boarding. We landed on time, and it was sweet for our older son to meet us and drive home. Until next year…
Most of our sightseeing in both places followed this scenario: a short drive to some picturesque place, sit on a bench, drive back. In St Lois we saw the university where our son is working doing research, stopped in the Forest Park, went to another small park – across the river, and this is where the photos of the Arch are taken. We also ate out a couple of times, but this is a blur. Too worried about my husband. Only remember going to the Boathouse in the Forest park, the view was gorgeous, we were sitting outside, sweet service as everywhere, but the food was not good, not just the limited menu – I got hummus which was superb, but the pita chips were made out of cardboard, not edible, not even biteable, and too much sugar in the coleslaw.
We tried to drive up to the Arch or at least to the Courthouse, but this was the evening of Cardinals’ game, and the traffic was unbelievable, so we went over the bridge to the park that offered a photogenic view of the Arch.
In St Louis I got to experience the Southern Hospitality. We stopped at the pharmacy inside a supermarket, picked up a few things, and the cashier, a young man, asked my son: “Are these your mommy and daddy?” He shook our hands, saying: hello, mommy, hello, daddy – and no, he didn’t seem having mental issues. It was strange only to us, being used to San Francisco’s “directness”. Everywhere people were polite, sweet, helpful – hey, I can get used to it really fast!
Our son drove us down to Little Rock. The weather forecast called for heavy rain that will pass soon. Although we took the road that should’ve been out of the rain on the radar, we were caught in the heaviest one. Saw a car backwards on a highway, probably the driver pressed the breaks too hard. We got excited seeing lightning and hearing thunder, hardly ever get this in San Francisco. And the state is so green!
On the way we stopped at Lambert Café, per advice of a Fodor’s website poster. This was probably the highlight of our trip, second to seeing the children again. I must say, this was the strangest eating place I’ve ever visited. Even now, typing this, I am laughing. Though the food was great, my chicken wings were the tastiest ever, it was a weird place. The walls were covered with things to display, ceiling to floor. Waiters of both genders wore blue jeans, blue shirts and suspenders, looking absolutely nerdish.
First, we ordered drinks. Even water came in enormous mugs that looked more like beer steins. Entrees were huge. I don’t know who would want more, but they were carrying around trays and pushing carts with appetizers and desserts. Fried okra was offered out of a huge bowl, and tossed on a paper towel on the table. Everything was clean, just strange. US version of dim sum, commented our son. They announced on the loudspeaker somebody’s birthday, and later 25th wedding anniversary. Oh, and the rolls! A young man with a plastic glove on his hand tossed them to those who wanted to catch them. It was like being in a circus. He tossed up to 4 tables away, and people caught them.
Usually when you go to a popular place, it’s either food or entertainment. Strangely, we enjoyed both in this café. The only thing I didn’t like was the fried okra. It was slimy inside. It shouldn’t be. And one question remains unanswered: what happens if somebody doesn’t catch the bread roll?
In Little Rock the apartment was on the 2nd floor of an old building, 2 sets of steps to the first floor, 2 more to the 2nd. Too many steps for us. Children got us a room in Courtyard Marriott. There is at least one other Marriott in Little Rock, as we overheard the front desk clerk explaining to a visibly annoyed couple that they are in the wrong Marriott. Our room was large, with 2 queen beds, a love seat, comfortable armchairs, and large counter for cosmetics in the bathroom.
Upon check-in we were told, the breakfast is in the lobby at the Bistro, we went there, were given a menu without prices, so I asked if we should pay. Yes. Off we went to the front desk, no, breakfast is not included. We misunderstood the clerk from the night before. Our son checked us in, he does not have any language issues, and he was also surprised. We walked over to the River Market and got breakfast food. This was OK, just miscommunication, probably.
One thing we didn’t like were the maids. Nothing personal, but when 3 different maids knock on your door to ask if you are checking out, as they don’t understand the computer print-out they have, it doesn’t make you think high of a Marriott. And when the maid leaves only one paper cup to make coffee, it’s not nearly enough for 2 people in the room. We thought, we could pick up a cup on the way back from being out. Wrong! The front desk did not have cups. A man in a maintenance uniform went up to our floor, and got some from the maids’ supply room. One morning we noticed, the maid forgot to leave coffee and sugar. One day she didn’t replace the washcloth, only picked up the used one off the floor. Those are small things, but they add up – and it was not some run-down motel.
Marriott had a designated computer for printing boarding passes. Knowing that I’ve done it 100 times, I checked in, and sent the passes to printer. Got one pass only for me. Redone, same result. Checked “File, Print As” – all pages are there. Pleaded for help with the front desk – the guy walked over, flipped the page, and walked away. They print 2-sided, DUH.
We went to the Art Museum, it’s small, but has some interesting paintings: Renoir, Monet, and rotating exhibits. Went to the café for dessert only, as we had lunch earlier, and… after living in the US for 26 years, I tried crème brulee for the first time! Just never thought I might like it, but there is was much thicker than in other places. It was really nice.
Little Rock has a small efficient airport, and it was the first time I saw TSA personnel at the gate in addition to the security check. It was not a 2nd set of security before boarding like we experienced in Europe and South America, they just watched the boarding. We landed on time, and it was sweet for our older son to meet us and drive home. Until next year…
Sep 24th, 2016, 06:55 PM
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Dayenu, so sorry about your husband's illness, but glad you posted.
St Louis has long been one of my favorite cities in the US. It is an absolute treasury of things to do and see, but somehow hasn't acquired a don't miss this or that list, though it should. You are going again next year? Perhaps you did do research, but if you did not, start a list of some of the incredible things in St Louis.
Hope it does not offend, but I am going to offer a couple to start.
The mosaics in Louis Cathedral rival anything in Europe! They are gold and truly glitter with reflected light. Of course, the Arch is a major, major deal, but so is the Cathedral, which most probably do not even know about.
Fox Theater. Seeing a show at the "FabulousFox" should be on everyone's priority list for St Louis. Just google some images and you will see why.
St Louis has long been one of my favorite cities in the US. It is an absolute treasury of things to do and see, but somehow hasn't acquired a don't miss this or that list, though it should. You are going again next year? Perhaps you did do research, but if you did not, start a list of some of the incredible things in St Louis.
Hope it does not offend, but I am going to offer a couple to start.
The mosaics in Louis Cathedral rival anything in Europe! They are gold and truly glitter with reflected light. Of course, the Arch is a major, major deal, but so is the Cathedral, which most probably do not even know about.
Fox Theater. Seeing a show at the "FabulousFox" should be on everyone's priority list for St Louis. Just google some images and you will see why.
Sep 24th, 2016, 07:03 PM
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Great report Dayenu. My sister lived in MO for quite a few years and they loved Lambert's too. I lived in AR for 3 years when I was a child and I have always believed it's a very underrated state. I'm sorry you had some misfortune on your trip and I hope the next one is better.
Sep 24th, 2016, 07:32 PM
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Thank you, all, he is feeling better, and bugging me about our next trip. Don't know when or where, but we are discussing already 
This was our 3rd trip, and this time it would've been our son's choice of where to go, but... Let's hope that next time will be better.
This was our 3rd trip, and this time it would've been our son's choice of where to go, but... Let's hope that next time will be better.
