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Oklahomans ONLY thought 50+ days of over 100 temps last year nearly killed our stupid asses. Guess what? We are now hitting ""Dust Bowl" temps. I'm pretty sure Oklahoma is close to burning up and is becoming

 

Africa HOT! in the next few weeks.

Nary a sign of life to be had.

Dude, I took two diuretics and two Beta-blockers today just so I could pee. Not a drip. Of any kind. That is how 'Mohave' my ass happens to be these days and believe me I'm drinking unrecognizable amounts of water my vodka-laden body knows not of....

Because, OHMYGODWEAREHOTTERTHANDEATHVALLEYANDDOESANYTHINGREALLYSURVIVEINDEATHVALLEYBUT CACTIANDSPIDERS?

So.... because I REALLY HATE TO START A SENTENCE WITH "SO!" really... we are planning a getaway before the girls start A NEW school in less than two weeks. You know we don't like to plan or like to "gasp" enroll anyone into school until next week.... because THIS would be like.the.deadline.  Man, I don't really like deadlines.... Though, I have been assured this eight-day-last-minute-enrollment, won't affect the outcome. I only pray! Because I really don't want to have to home school because of MY bad choices and procrastination and they end up in a prison-like situation. with pillow cases of soap to defend themselves.... Man, I can so digress..... and what was the subject at hand?

Oh yea! As you can guess by now, we've spun the dial towards the OTHER direction from our vaca from last year. Now? We are planning to go to Chicago!  Seven days in the making, bitches! Because of the American Girl MECCA status and my half-sister seems to be closer to this destination than say, Florida. or Africa. We were supposed to try to meet up here this summer.

Though, I found out this week, my newly, half-sister encarnate, is having surgery. And yes, we've toured the Dallas American Girl store waayy too many times, yet, we've still decided to still go to Chicago because I think it is STILL about 40 degrees cooler than here. Our first stop, next Wednesday in St. LOUIS BABY!!! 

I've celebrated one of the best St. Patrick's Day in St. Louis while basically missing the wedding I was supposed to be attending because of their festivals. Mainly, a free-for-all, shot-fest of St. Patrick's proportions....and let me tell you, I had the best make-out session with a stranger, just outside the ARCH while finding the most perfect snow dome to complete my collection. SHHHH!!! I'm not sharing this info with Rich.... Because we were on a break..... Rich and I, that is.... and my snow dome collection IS pretty rad.

So... What should we see in St. Louis next week.... and then onto CHICAGO! minus that damn AG store.....?

Please share and help because if you do not know anything about me by now..... I will not plan, prod or reserve shit until we are "IN THE MOMENT" of finding a hotel, bar, hostel or box by the side of the Michigan/Calumet/Mississippi River until we have a place to sleep... Hopefully in a bed. 

I really do not like to camp. I REALLY like toilet paper too.....

 

Comments

[Page]

I don't know squat about St Louis, but I can tell you that for BBQ in Chicago, Smoque cannot be beat. Seriously, the best BBQ, mac'n'chs, peach cobbler, and some of the best fries I have ever had. Go, if you can. Tell Barry that Page sent you.

[a]

Ha! I am currently in Chicago - but will be on my way back home. I believe we will be passing each other on the road! Wave at all the silver cars you see on I-55 in Illinois! Then I'll be back in a few weeks for a work function - looks like we'll be circling each other.

I don't have any recommendations for places to stay, because everything downtown is pricey, and much has changed over the last 11 years (when I last lived here). I like to stay at the Hilton & Towers when I come for work, since I'm not paying for it. The hallways remind me of The Shining and I went to someone's Junior Prom there. But, you should definitely take the girls to Millenium Park - I haven't actually gotten out of the car to go there, but it looks veeeeerrrrry cool, and my friends assure me that it is. The lake water is exceptionally warm too, if you want to go to the beach (we went the other day). And if you want to go to the museums, they have a city pass that seems to be a better deal than paying individual prices. http://www.citypass.com/chicago (Just don't use it for the Hancock Observatory - go to the Signature Room on the 95th floor and have a couple drinks instead. The bathrooms are awesome! Don't have dinner, though - too expensive!)

Traffic however, really fucking sucks big hairy donkey balls. I cannot emphasize that enough. We got diverted from dinner the other day because I just couldn't get there. The expressway was at a dead stop. And then I did it again a few nights later and was 30 minutes late for dinner... Try not to drive anywhere if you can possibly avoid it.

[K]

Agreed with traffic. Get yourselves there then walk the Magnificent Mile or take the buses, which are not hard to navigate at all (says the shittiest navigator ever!) Millennium Park is a must see. They have lighted fountains for the girls to splash around in, ice cream, etc. Park City Grill is a big fuss over nothing, and requires reservations if you're not looking for a wait- SKIP IT! Check out the outdoor stadium in the park, on days where there aren't events, it is nothing but a architectural eyecandy, but there is a cool bridge path to walk on too. The "Bean" is in the park (a mirrored sculpture, great photo ops!) and FREE! FYI Sears/Willis Tower is WAY more expensive than Hancock Observatory. River boat tour is awesome! Take the Girls to Navy Pier, Ferris Wheels, ice cream, rides, food, shopping and movies too I believe. Just checked and there are fireworks over Lake Michigan there on Weds. and Sat. nights...I know your girls probably wouldn't be pumped about some other things, but there is an art intallation also at the pier, BIGart, I did architectural walking tours, but get ready to haul ass for that, LOTS of walking. Good luck and have tons of fun!

[ROBBIN]

St. Louis....do the City Museum www.citymuseum.org great for kids.
our zoo is FREE!! and awesome!!

The science center is FREE!! www.slsc.org ALSO a great time!

oh and the arch of course.

[Ninabi]

I grew up in St. Louis- and it's a great place for families, great stop on your way to Chicago. The zoo is free. Science Center is, too.

Have fun, even in the godawful heat.

[Bethany]

My parents live in St. Louis and we've been several times with our 5 and 8 year old. There are lots of cool things to do in St. Louis. I second the idea to go to the City Museum. I can't really describe, it's just a super cool place for adults as well as kids. You could spend a whole day there. There is The Magic House, a great children's museum. There's Grant's Farm..check out the Budweiser Clydesdale Horses then take a tour of the property. Lots of animals, almost like a zoo, for the kids to check out while mom and dad get to drink free Budweiser products! It's also cheap..I think you just pay like $10 to park and that's your admission. Six Flags Amusement park in Eureka, should be on your way on I-44. Also Meramec Caverns - we just went there in July. Its very cool, its also on your way in, just before you hit Eureka, on I-44, about 35-40 miles west of the city. It's where Jesse James and his gang allegedly hid their loot, and there are some really cool natural features in the cave. The tour is not too long - only about an hour - and the best part is that the cave is a constant 58 degress inside all year long, so a good break from the heat!

[natalie@thesweetslife]

i second everything said above, esp re: the City Museum, the Zoo, and Grant's Farm.

Don't miss out on getting custard at Ted Drewes either!

[Bev]

Absolutely...DO NOT MISS CITY MUSEUM in St. Louis. We live near Chicago but have gone to St. Louis twice in the past couple of years to take our grandkids there when they are visiting from AZ. Old, young, and in-between City Museum defies description but know that it is a blast for all!

When you get to Chicago, everything "K" said would be seconded by me. Hancock Center has the MUCH better views of the city but Willis Tower has those Ledges where you step out into a clear box 103 stories in the air. Millenium Park also has a really fun splash fountain not far from Cloud Gate (The Bean!). I don't necessarily agree with the strength of the statements about traffic but then we moved to the Chicago area from the L.A. area so what do I know about traffic!?!?

Both cities have so much to offer for family vacation; I look forward to hearing what you pick and all about the great time your family will surely have!

[Judy]

The Zoo is awesome and Anheuser-Busch Co. is a neat place to visit, they give great tours. Have fun!

[Jennifer]

We spent a few days in Chicago around the 4th of July. Parking in that city is a SERIOUS bitch! We lived at Navy Pier-loved the shopping/eating, rode some fun rides. There are also several lake cruises that are pretty fun too. We also hit "the beach" which is free but again, serious bitch with parking. There are tons of good museums, a Childrens Museum is right there at Navy Pier I think, and the city has a free zoo that cost you about $20 to park. We stayed in the Hyatt close to the pier, and heard that the Sheraton is good too. We did one of those bid on a site get a 4 star hotel and were kind of screwed-4 people with a queen sized bed for 2 nights. (After that we had reservations and appropriate sleeping accomodations!) We also heard good things about Millenium Park. Have fun!!!!

[180360]

I know nothing of St. Louis but in Chicago I'd recommend doing the Architectural boat tour, check out the Art Institute, eat at Frontera Grill, see your reflection and some Gehry at Millennium Park, plus a quick run through Terminal C at O'Hare. Then head my way! It might be 110 but it's a dry heat! :)

[Ashley]

Have fun!! We went South for vaca... You know whats hotter than OKC??? Grapevine, TX... Jeezzz what was I thinking?!?!? We're doing Chicago in October... We'll probably freeze then LOL

I'm tired of the heat and the damn fires here though. I keep thinking I should bring everything of my little man's ((that I don't know what I would do w/o if something happened to the house)) down and close to the front door incase of a fire.

Have fun!!

[Andrea]

Oh, I'm late!! We were in St Louis 3 weeks ago. The highlight of the trip was The City Museum. It's expensive, but you can spend the entire day there, it is SO worth it. AMAZING!!! Tip: go early in the morning so you have some time before it's really crowded.
Also, go to Grant's farm and get attacked by---I mean feed the baby goats!
Have a great trip!!!
Sorry I'm exclamation point happy today!!!

[www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1160520213]

While in Chicago...You HAVE to go to the Museum of Science and Industry!
It's wayyyy neater than it sounds..trust me! You could spend the entire day there just playing around with all kinds of gizmos and doodads...PLUS they have a "childrens"(NOT the small toddler kind) play area...but the few times we went..the adults were having as much fun with the water toys as the kids were. Here's the link....
http://www.msichicago.org/
Hope you have a GREAT time!
(we would go again this year but our therapy schedule for my oldest son (with Autism) is crammed packed...took to much time off this summer~can't take anymore off or we loose or funding.)

[Kym]

When my brother and I were about the same age as your kids my parents they took us on the Budweiser Brewery Tour in St. Louis. We had a really good time. Maybe we were strange kids, but I just remember it was kind of cool getting to learn how beer was made and my parents got to have beer (Everyone wins!).

[Allison F.]

Being a native Chicagoan (not from a suburb actually from the city)...I could make many, many suggestions for your trip, especially if you like food. Also, if you are going to be here over a weekend and were serious about me taking the girls photos, I am happy to do so. And I will give you my special "fan-of-your-blog-discount".

Let me know!

AF

[liz]

WHil in CHicago - do a river boat architecture tour. It's usually cooler and you get to see and learn great city history. Take the girls across the street from the American Girl store to the Hancock building. You can go to the bar on the 96th floor for a drink (they have tons of virgin drinks) and take in the views of 4 states for way less than paying admission tot he skydeck.

PIzza: Pizano's

Mexican - :Xoco

Thai: Silver Spoon

Burgers: Billy Goat Tavern: Cheezeborger CHeezeborger

I live in the city and work on Michigan Avenue and have an 8 yo girl - I would be glad to offer advice on anything

[Sandie]

http://www.homewoodsuiteschicago.com/index.shtml

Stay here. There is a full kitchen, YOUR OWN FREAKING ROOM FROM YOUR KIDS (two TV's) it's within walking distance of a Trader Joes, they have a small, but decent pool (on the 17th floor with fab views) and best of all, its free beer and wine with supper (not fancy food but will fill up your kids) Sunday through Thursday. They also have breakfast every morning, which was not just a junky contintental one either. We don't drive our car there, so I also know the Red Line is steps away...

[Linda]

I found your blog through Whoorl and when I read that you're coming to STL, I knew I had to comment! The other commenters are right - Go to the City Museum! It's like a McDonald's ball pit for kids and adults alike (just remember to wear tennis shoes or you'll be losing your sandals the whole time.)

City Garden is located downtown and is a great spot to have a picnic lunch. Speaking of lunch, try the Crown Candy Kitchen (it's in a sketch neighborhood, but worth the risk. Especially for their BLT) or Blues City Deli in the Benton Park neighborhood (perfect for lunch after the AB tour.)

Looking for free things to do in the Lou? Check out my post all about it: http://stlcitydiva.blogspot.com/2012/05/no-money-no-problem-my-top-5-picks-for.html

If you need additional info, don't hesitate to email me at STLcitydiva@gmail.com

Enjoy St. Louis!

[Rhi]

City Museum in St. Louis is AMAZING. I went to a conference there a few years back and one of our events was there.

[Jen]

Yes!!! The city museum is a must!!! I think I have more fun thee then my kids. It's like a jungle gym on crack.

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