Pi Pod Trip

We decided to take advantage of the Pi Pod trip to St Louis to explore the surrounding area.  We flew into St Louis and immediately rented a car and had an uneventful drive to Springfield Illinois.   We found out that we had just missed a tornado that hit the airport about an hour after our plane landed.  The Thygersons, who were on our same flight didn't get out of town as quickly as we did and got to hear the tornado alarms and then drive in a storm all the way to Springfield.

We spent a day exploring Springfield, IL.  This is where Abraham Lincoln lived for 25 years and where he left from when he became President.

Here is my family recreating the picture of Lincolns home that was on our ticket.

Lincoln's Tomb

It's supposed to be good luck to rub his nose.

His whole family, except one son are buried here.

 Our next stop was Nauvoo.   Here we are with the Payne's and the Fox's in front of the Nauvoo Temple.

It was a lot of fun to go on vacation with our friends!

 
We stopped in Hannibal MO next.

                           London is white washing Tom's fence



Here are the kids in front of Twains home.    I love his insights and words of wisdom.   One of my favorites is "Travel is fatal to prejudice and bigotry"




Our circle ended us back in St. Louis in time for the competition.    We were able to do some sightseeing in the city as well.

 We had fun in the Science Museum.  London was even able to join us for this.

He was busy when we went to the zoo.   This was our favorite animal.    We called it a Zonky.

The last thing we did before heading home was to ride to the top of the Gateway Arch.

Riding in the pod.

The view

It was a fun trip!