St. Louis, Missouri

Stop One: The Gateway Arch

After a 271 mile ride, we checked into the hotel we headed through gateway park where the arch waited just a top of the mighty Mississippi River. After a quick group picture in front of the arch we headed down below to begin our journey to the top. Some of the group were a little nervous about the tram ride, but everyone made it to the top and enjoyed the view once there. Enjoy the pictures below that chronicle our experience.

Everybody in St. Louis ready to take a trip to the top of the arch! What a beautiful day!

The tram doors are only 4 feet tall!

"Going up in the Arch was really fun, but also sort of scary. As we creaked up the Arch I thought about how the trams were put in only two years after the Arch was built. Getting to the top was worth it!" --Carrie Fulton

Can you tell they are excited?
Sujette, Julia, Blake, and Barney are
headed to the top of the arch.

Will wasn't too sure about the
tram ride but he is handling it well!

Elizabeth is such a good sport, all smiles even
on crutches!

A view from the top, the arch is casting
a shadow over the Mississippi River.

Blake was just a little nervous about going up in
the tram! I think Chris was trying to help him
out!

The arch, glowing in the afternoon sun.

Stop Two: The Millennium Restaurant

After our visit to the arch we returned to the hotel to prepare for dinner. Everyone got all glammed up and we walked the two blocks to the 28th floor restaurant. After a quick group picture in the lobby we headed up to the top for an amazing meal of prime rib, mashed potatoes, green beans and cheeses cake!

Everybody is all dresses up and ready for a fantastic meal! This picture was taken in the lobby, the ones that follow are taken in the restaurant on the 28th floor of the Millennium Hotel.

Through the windows you can see the St. Louis skyline!

This is a night view of Cardinal's
Stadium from the top of the restaurant.

The Chaperons are have a blast along with the kids!

Check out the view from the revolving restaurant.
Who wouldn't have an amazing meal with this view?

Check out this amazing meal that we had at the Millennium Restaurant. This was quite possibly the best prime rib and cheese cake ever!

According to Margaret her hands spell "wow"!

After dinner, the girls said they had to force themselves to stop eating cake. Yes, it was really that good!

" The Meridian Restaurant was awesome. With a rotating floor 28 floors up over looking St. Louis, it was spectacular. I even got to snap a picture of a birds eye view of Cardinal's Stadium. The food was delicious and everything about it was wonderful!" --McKenzie Folan

Nice faces, happy people and an amazing background!

All Smiles.......

Pretty girls!

I think he is a little out numbered at this table!

Chris decided to hide from the camera! I guess I'll have to just take double of him next time.

The Arch from the restaurant after dark.........wow!

After an exciting day and an amazing meal, everyone was happy but ready for a great nights sleep! The anticipation is high for what will come next!

Louisville, Kentucky

Stop 1: Lunch in Kentucky

For our first stop in Kentucky we had lunch under an umbrella of trees. The sun was shining and smiles were bright as we began to get to know each other. How exciting it is to be starting a journey like this together with such amazing people.

Turner and Alex gave a smile as we sat and relaxed!

Carter wasn't too excited about taking a picture but he did it anyway just for me!

This group of girls were laughing and carrying on!

Isn't it funny that girls and the boys are all separated? I wonder how long it will last......

Stop Two: Kentucky Derby Museum, Church Hill Downs
Louisville, Kentucky

After a 530 mile ride the group stepped off the bus in Louisville, Kentucky. First on the agenda was a trip through the Derby Museum. Many of the kids enjoyed playing games and checking out the history within the museum. After the museum fun we were lead out into the courtyard of Church Hill Downs. We were given brief history of the facility and the famous Kentucky Derby. Then we were able to see a horse race and meet and take pictures with several jockeys. All of which made this a great stop!

"I loved seeing the horse race and seeing where the world's largest horse race takes place. I'll never forget it! It was so neat!" -- Margaret Willetts

I think Turner might be winning this race? They found the games inside the museum exciting!

The group tour through the courtyard. They have the winning Derby horse's silks on display.

Suites over looking the race track can go for as much as a quarter million dollars a year!

Front row seats for a horse race, the first horse race for many in the group!

I think there might have been some "betting" going on . Too bad all they got was bragging rights.

The group is anxiously awaiting the finish of the race! The second favorite number 8 horse took the victory!

One of the cool parts of the tour was seeing and meeting several jockeys. They had just finished the race that we were watching.


Did you know that they check a number that is tattooed inside the horse's lip to make sure they are the correct horse for the race? Fun fact from the tour.

Stop Three: Joe Huber Family Farm
Starlight, Indiana

The group dined on an amazing meal of fried biscuits, fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and green beans.

After dinner they also liked playing on the farm, even the boys had a great time on the swings.

"The Huber Farm had awesome food! It was some good southern cooking."
--Blake Bozymski

"The Huber Family Farm was so yummy! It tasted like my grandma's cooking. I also really liked the ducks!" --Callie Hennis

McKenzie appears to be winning the swinging race.

What an amazing view!

The girls are all smiles..........

Feeding the ducks was fun for us and them!


When they got tired of swinging they had a jumping contest!

An amazing sunset to close out a wonderful first day, full of adventure! And to think, we've only just begun.