Sep. 20, 2008 - ManchesterMOExcitement

Thursday  brought a lovely evening and we were out on our deck, waving goodbye to my daughter. All of a sudden we heard a big WHOOSH sound. I looked to the sky and behind a bunch of trees, you could see a low flying hot air balloon. Way too low! I quickly ran to get my camera to film the excitement.

The balloon proceeded to float across the roof tops, just barely missing them and then down it went! It wasn't the best of spots to land, I thought, but it had.

It had landed in the cul-de-sac of the Pheasant Woods subdivision just behind us. My daughter stayed for abit and then we two, jumped into her car to go see what had happened.

The balloon was landed, barely missing the house tops, but grazing the trees that lined the street. I spoke to the pilot, Kevin Knapp; he said he hadn't realized it was going to be that tight of a landing. Kevin Knapp was last years winner of the Great Forest Park Hot Air Balloon Race. The balloon maker is Lindstrand. the Volume is: 105K cubic feet.  I asked what he charged to take people up and he responded he just hires out to Mayflower and does it for them. If you're here in the St. Louis area though you can call Steve Mroz of Balloons Over St. Louis. In the meantime you can check out the movie by clicking HERE 

Two Manchester Police cars came by to check things out, but everything was fine. The neighbors enjoyed watching the process of deflating the balloon too. Some of the kids were even helping!

Friday evening, at Forest Park, they had the 36th annual Balloon Glow. Saturday morning was a great time to have the Race.

Sep. 14, 2008 - butterflyHouse/chesterfield/mo

What a nice day we had here yesterday. It was alternately sunny or cloudy but always had a nice breeze (thanks to IKE).

I took off in the evening to the Butterfly House, in Chesterfield, MO as I haven't been there for a while. I'd heard they were having a Monarch Fiesta which would include a Mariachi Band and a talk by Dr. Peter H. Raven, President of the Missouri Botanical Garden.

There were quite a few young adults there with their families, getting photos taken. Probably a prom, as some were getting dropped off in limousine's. Sure has changed from when I was a kid, I just felt honored to get to go to a prom in someone's jalopy!

Anyway, as I approched, the band welcomed me with some lively music! As I headed for the door, a park guard stopped me, asking if I was planning to attend the event. I said yes, I had my "ticket" in hand! Well, I guess he could tell by my attire, that there was some mistake. We talked abit and I proceeded to the entrance. Inside, I could see that this was not a casual event but a dressy occasion. I spoke with the hostess and found that the cost to get in was $150. as this was a fund raising event! We're talking cocktails, tapas and entertainment! Needless to say, I headed for the exit.

Outside the Los Compadres played on...but not for me! I did stay and took some photos which follow and I hope you'll enjoy.

 I also met some of the entertainers family that were waiting for them. We had a nice chat and enjoyed the music while sitting outside. The evening was perfect for a fund-raiser and butterfly's, both a symbol of hope! My hope is that they raised a huge amount of money!

If you know me, you know how much I love our Missouri Botanical Garden. It's so very lovely and everyone you meet there is kind and helpful. They also support SHAW Nature Reserve . If you're coming our way, be sure to check them out.

Sep. 20, 2007 - 2007 Japanese Festival at MOBot Gardens

I finally figured out how to upload from Picasa to the web! I'd taken these photos at the Japanese Festival. I couldn't figure how to get them where I could easily share them with you.  It's a yearly event that is so much fun and draws a huge crowd for the 3 days it's here! We viewed the Bonsai and Ikebana exhibit (photos follow) and then headed to see the SUMO Wrestlers! We had such a good time! Laughing and wondering too, how anyone (or WHY?!)  would want to get so big! It was pretty hot here in St. Louis. Wait til you see the big vs little guy competion. Actually the little guy was pretty well built and good looking too! We'd had several weeks of above 90 degree temps, but funny thing. When you're at the Gardens, it never seems too hot!  I hope you enjoy the photo's as much as I did taking them! The festival took place Sept. 1- Sept. 3, 2007. Be sure to schedule a trip here when you can!

Nov. 4, 2006 - Sunset Hills_Laumeier Park

Sunset Hills, located in South St. Louis County, has a wonderful park located there. Laumeier Sculpture Park is an outdoor adventure waiting to be seen and is open year round. It has 98 acres for you to enjoy! Last Sunday, while the city and county were getting ready to celebrate the Cardinals baseball team winning the 2006 World Championship, I ventured out to see what was happening here at Laumeier. It was a beautiful day and I had a great time strolling through thepark and seeing all the folks that were about.

Fall was showing it's splendor with the changing colors of the leaves. Cooler air is welcome and a bit of melancoly finds it's way into my heart. Time is passing by so quickly. I hardly know where the months have gone. There's a nip in the air and you want to walk briskly. This is the perfect place to do that. There are paths and different trails to take. You can also tour inside the museum building, but I'll save that for another time. It's too pretty to be inside today. Following are the photos that I took this day, but there were many more sculptures to see. I hope you'll come and visit, if not to stay.

    The big bird is one you can walk into and sit down for a rest if you'd like. The scuptures are also marked with braille script so that it is accessible to the handicapped. I like the chain of balls and also the man in the woods. The final photo is a wall plaque with mosaics that was made by children and others at a camp function. There is a shelter there too, facing the woods.  In the summer, at the outdoor stage, is where the outdoor concerts take place. Wonderful art shows too!

If you like contemporary art, you'll like this park. If not...just enjoy the walk in the park.

Dogs are allowed on leash...but please remember the pooper scooper!

Aug. 25, 2006 - St. Louis Happening

At the St. Louis Zoo,  BIG happenings are going on beginning today. Our newest member of the elephant family is finally coming out to play. Well, really, she's just staying near mama, for now. The recommended times for viewing her are from 9-11 in the morning, and later in the evening 4-7pm, when the temperatures are cooler.

She's a big girl (and getting bigger!) weighing in at 397 pounds.  She hasn't been named as yet, but they say , they'll be announcing that soon. If you want to help choose her name just click this link to help name her!

If you want to take a peek at her....she's a cutie, for sure! We know her mama loves her! Did I tell you that admission to our wonderful zoo is FREE! Well, it is!Come to visit, Stay to live here!

Aug. 17, 2006 - Missouri Botanical Gardens

This is such great thing that's going on here at the Missouri Botanical Gardens! I'm excited to tell you that they have extended the dates for showing the Chihuly glass sculptures! Check it out here!

 If you haven't seen these lovely pieces, you're missing a lot!

They're now going to be open Monday evenings along with the Thursday evenings starting September 18, 2006! We were so blessed to have those recent terrible storms that came through do NO damage to the glass sculptures. In the evenings the sculptures will be lighted to show off the lovely colors.

This is the oldest botanical garden in the country; but boy, has it been updated! They have a wonderful new play/learn area for the kids, too. Take a tour of the Henry Shaw home and the gardens. The rose garden is great as is the Japanese Garden. Take the tram if you're too tired to walk, but there are plenty of places to stop and rest. This is one of my favorite places to see at different times of the year. Certainly it's a photographers dream!