LOST COUNT of how many naps I took today and am blessed to be able to do this. Returning HOME late into the night, last night, I was exhausted today. Not sure how long it will take to SPRING back as we have entered into the SUMMER SEASON. For real. A vacation. We took a vacation. Sigh. It was wonderful to get away for a few days even with the traffic that we endured.
I spent some time last week driving to St. Louis to spend three days before going to SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS and back to St. Louis before driving to our Kansas HOME. I am exhausted and officially know that I am a old woman that is tr😡ubled by traffic.
Mercy sakes. The St. Louis traffic is a nightmare. The roads are not in the best of shape. The tire trash and trash in general on the side of the road was alarming.
The majority of the drivers do not drive the speed limit which makes people like me finding themselves the slowest ones around. Better safe than sorry. Still it was awful. The adrenaline pumps.
I think the adrenaline rushes I had, the HEAT, the traffic, over heating, sweating, swollen feet, thunderstorm with wind, high blood pressure made for the perfect storm where I am now exhausted. We had a wonderful time seeing the sights, but I am now HOME and thankful to be sitting once again in my 'ole recliner wanting my feet to return to normal size.
St. Louis. Met up with Son and Grandson for supper at Texas Road House. Went to Son's place for a visit. We made our way to the Motel where we would stay. I wish I had my swimsuit. They had a pool. A heat wave came through as we were there. The room was nice and clean plus quiet and I felt like we were on vacation. Things to see. Hopefully on our next trip we will return to the St. Louis Museum and St. Charles. It's been years and I'd like to go see these again. Looks like one has to have good walking shoes to see the sights. Having good feet is a bonus.
Next day we went to The ARCH for lunch and to visit their gift shop. Walked the grounds on this hot day. The Cardinals Game let out at the same time we were driving away from the ARCH. Ummmm...may I just say, NEVER AGAIN. The traffic was a nightmare. I woke up from it and drove as best I could. My husband still thinks that I can turn the car on a dime. I can't and I can't make people treat me like a decent human being while they drive like crazy bats out of h**l.
Thursday we toured THE CAMPBELL HOUSE MUSEUM. This is the third time I have toured it. I still enjoyed seeing this place, but the inside of the home was too hot and I overheated. Red in the face kind of hot. Took our son out for Mexican food. Drove the neighborhoods like LAFAYETTE SQUARE. Quickly snapped pictures of this and that.
We spent time with our grown son and our Grandson. The time passes quickly, but we were happy to spend time with them. It's been about two years since we have been to STL.
After three days in St. Louis, we drove over to Illinois to see President Lincoln's Museum and house. Something I have wanted to see for years. It. was. awesome. Before we left Kansas, I knew that the Lincoln Home wasn't open because of Covid. That's what their website said. I was disappointed, but knew I'd like the museum just as well. When we walked the grounds around the Lincoln Home, we found out that they were open after all, but they had troubles with their website. We toured the house and I was in hog heaven. It was wonderful to see in person. The neighborhood is like stepping back in time. It was a fairytale in a way. Loved it.
The next day, we toured the museum. THE BEST! It is so well put together that I cannot put into words how great it was. Absolutely awesome and so well done. Like soaking in nourishment healing to the bones. However you imagine this President, I came away with memories. Lincoln was a wrestler, loved stray cats and wasn't a strict disciplinarian parent. Perhaps too lax.
souvenirs galore. We left with a miniature bust of Abraham Lincoln and a couple of t-shirts.
We were there on JUNETEENTH as it became a national holiday.
Stayed at a lovely old Bed and Breakfast in Illinois for two nights before returning to Saint Louis for a Father's Day meal. Springfield is loaded with older homes to admire and so is St. Louis.
Quick good-byes then drove the distance to Kansas through a night time thunderstorm where I lost my manners and became a grumpy snarling old biddy while driving through rain that blinded my sight. When I pulled the car off at a McDonalds, we had hoped the storm would let up. When it did, I drove some more when another cell hit and I had to pull over in hopes that the storm would pass. We made it HOME around midnight and I asked my husband, why are we driving at night at our age? Things will continue to change.
Today, I was worn out and my feet are still swollen. Tomorrow is another day and I will see how it goes. I may have to take more naps throughout the day. This is the tiredest I have been in a very long time. I remember my in-laws saying at one point in time that they thought their traveling days were over. I think I know what they meant by that. I am not ready to stop traveling yet, but believe we will have to do things differently so we can travel without being completely worn the heck out.
It helps if you are healthy, but when you aren't things have to be tweaked to stay active. I wore a fan around my neck to keep air moving. This helped. I wore extra comfortable shoes which supported my feet. Still they became swollen. My blood pressure shot way up and I am working at lowering it. I watched what I ate and how much I ate. Drank plenty of bottled water and no sugary drinks. Lord, I am needing your healing touch. My lower back was not a problem, but the middle and upper back screamed for attention.
I have memories and thoughts to process and to think upon for awhile. Wonderful.
Now to unload some pictures this week.
👵d
