Today was a beautifully clear day after last night's thunderstorm.  We borrowed the courtesy car here at Port Charles Harbor Marina and went to the Farmer's Market in historic downtown St. Charles for some fresh produce and a jar of homemade peach jelly.  We  then took a stroll through the historic district.  There are 88 preserved and restored buildings in this area, each one special in its own right.   I love the architecture and so enjoyed the walk.  St. Charles was the first settlement on the Missouri River established in the 1760s,  Among the famous settlers here were Daniel Boone and Lewis and Clark.

After our walk, we drove about 45 minutes to St. Louis to see the famed Gateway Arch.  It truly is an amazing structure and the museum housed inside is wonderful.  The ride to the top is 630 feet and were able to take photographs from the observation area.  The ride in a "tram" and I use the term loosely, took 4 minutes up and 3 minutes down.  The tram is actually more like a sort of gimbled "egg" -- and very small inside.  There are 5 seats, but 4 people were enough.  I'm claustrophobic so it was a challenge.  When the door opened and four of us -- another couple in line with us -- saw what we were going to get into, the other lady and I both let out collective "Uhhhhhhhs."  We made it, though and the view from the top is spectacular. 

While in St. Louis, we were told we must go  to Ted Drewe's Frozen Custard stand for delicious sundaes.  Ralph had a Hawaiian sundae with bananas, pineapple, coconut and macadamia nuts and I had a hot fudge sundae with tart cherries.  This was lunch.  Then for dessert, we went to the Half Pint Bakery and Coffee Shop for coffee and citrus pound cake -- that was dessert.

 We then tackled the business at hand and went grocery shopping at Wal-Mart and Schnuck's. When you have a car, you can get "heavy stuff" and we did.   It was a lovely day and we are most appreciative of the folks at Port Charles Harbor Marina for their generosity and kindness.   We highly recommend any Loopers traveling on the Mississippi to stop at this full service marina.

Buildings in the historic district of St. Charles, MO

This the tiny little "egg" 4 of us occupied to go to the top of the Arch -- I'm very claustrophobic.

The historic district, St. Charles, MO

Historic building St. Charles, MO

The sunny side of the street has several buildings with balconies covering the sidewalk

Sign at a lovely little tea room

Sign on Grandma's Bakery -- we agree with Grandma

Another lovely home

The famed Gateway to the West Arch St. Louis, MO

This couple rode with us in "the egg"

Inside "the egg" a 4-minute ride to the top of the Arch

Do I look panic-stricken after having ridden 630 feet in "an egg"

View of St. Louis from the top of the Arch

At Ted Drewe's Frozen Custard, St. Louis -- so many choices

View of the Mississippi from the top of the Arch

Mmmm....a Hawaiian sundae

We passed this innovative soul -- what a great idea!

Saturday morning Farmer's Market, downtown St. Charles, MO