RENEWING FRIENDSHIPS--Trip 2

Cathy, my childhood friend from Illinois since sixth grade, met us at 9:00 a.m. for a personally guided tour of St. Louis highlights, starting with the zoo.
Rated by Zagat's Survey and Parenting magazine as America's #1 zoo, the St. Louis Zoo boasts 1,800 animals, in addition to dealing with animals all over the world through the WildCare Institute, which works to conserve wild animals in wild places through wildlife management, conservation, science and research. This place was certainly not just for kids! We started our exploration at the Insectarium and learned that one out of every four animals on the planet is a beetle. Nearby the indoor butterfly garden featured butterflies of every shape and size and color. Plasticized charts helped us identify the delicate creatures as they fluttered overhead or lit gently on leaves.

Strolling through River's Edge section, we watched black rhinos, bush dogs, anteaters, hippos, cheetahs and hyenas.

The Asian elephant exhibit showed off the newest addition to the family, a young newborn that walked between its mother's front legs and pawed at grass clumps.
Like excited kids, we rode the train around the park, trying to take it all in at once.
But all too soon it was time to head out in a different direction.
"That's the Flora Conservancy of Forest Park," said Cathy, pointing to an elaborate glass building as she drove. "We call it Forest Park Forever."

We stopped for a picture of the outdoor theater. "They do weekly shows here in the summer," said Cathy. "It's wonderful, and the back seats are even free if you come really early. But the heat and humidity oppress on warm evenings, because those big fans are turned off during the show. They make too much noise during the performances." As she drove, Cathy pointed out landmarks and family spots of interest. "This is the Delmar Loop," she explained.

"It was named 'loop,' because years ago the public bus that ran on an overhead wire ran in a loop through this part of town."

Lunch at Blueberry Hill, a St. Louis landmark since 1972, was a special treat. The restaurant on Delmar Loop, filled with pop culture memorabilia like old jukeboxes and album covers, boasted #1 hamburgers.
"This is Chuck Berry's restaurant," explained Cathy, "He comes here and plays periodically, and his granddaughter often shows up on the dance floor."
I'm not sure how Blueberry Hill earned a #1 rating for hamburgers, but mine was delicious. And perusing the walls provided plenty of insight into the stars who have visited over the years, including Elvis Presley.
Outside I photographed Chuck Berry's star on the sidewalk of fame.

Our last stop, the Missouri Botanical Garden, could have taken all afternoon if the rain had not set in. Chilly grey skies threatened as we walked to the Climatron, but we didn't expect showers until evening. My glasses fogged up the minute we stepped into the geodesic dome, but it didn't take more than a minute to clear. Blossoms dotted the foliage... red, white, yellow... and palms brushed the top panels of the dome.
Near the waterfall, I spotted what looked like a peace lily. Just as we walked down the path toward the Center for Home Gardening, the skies opened up. We waited around and browsed, but weathermen had said once it started, we'd get wet for a while. When the downpour eased, we moved post haste for the car.

By dinnertime the cold front blasted through St. Louis and across the plains of Illinois. Temperatures plummeted to 44 degrees by the time Andy and I drove to Cathy's home in Highland, Illinois. But Marx Brothers Lounge in downtown Highland offered a cozy atmosphere for wonderful dining.

Quiet and comfortable, the local restaurant gave us a chance to visit with Cathy and Jay and catch up on 32 years of news, not to mention an absolutely delicious dinner while we chatted.