What We Do in the Lou - updated 7/31/15 with Superhero Sunday @ the Melting Pot About This Page:

[OhToodles!]

Originally Posted by mommapants

What a great idea for the thread.

Nice trip to the zoo. We are members of the Philly zoo and the kids love it. They just renovated the kid’s zoo but I wasn't a huge fan. Because of the renovation they got rid of the elephants and now the old children's zoo area is just sitting there so I suppose more work will be coming down the line. It is amazing how many Gorillas you have. Philly had 2 but one recently died suddenly - very sad.

I'm not a fan of contemporary art either - I just don't get it. I haven't even tried to take Evan to an art museum although the Philly art museum (besides it famous Rocky steps) has some suits of armor and mummies which I think he might like.

I think our next outing will be a trampoline park which recently opened and I'm thinking of doing DC and Mount Vernon in the spring.

More Please

Sorry to hear about the gorilla.
We may try to go to the zoo at night this month - they have a light display and we haven't taken the boys ever before, but man it's getting cold!
I think in a few years we'll head East to hit DC or Colonial Williamsburg, but Lukas is still a bit too young right now.

Originally Posted by Her Dotness

There's a contemporary work hung now called "Untitled (Seascape)" that I simply fell in love with after a first glance reaction of, "How dumb! Nothing but kind of crumpled creamy paper halfway down."

As I stood before it awhile longer (not yet having looked at the un-title title), I realized it looked like ocean waves and the horizon with a cloudless sky above. Walked over to read the title and notes and realized I'd actually "gotten" what the artist intended simply by looking at the piece a bit longer.

I think my idea of deliberately going past that "How dumb!" stage really does work.

Btw, the red and gold contemporary tapestry near the 2nd floor info desk is a favorite. I love the waving lines and rows of colors. That one simply impresses me with the bold colors and the way recycled materials have been carefully selected and composed so as to make something beautiful.

I think I know the seascape one you're referring to and I do like it or think it could grow on me. It's more of the painting that are just striped or blocks of color I don't always get.
And the red & gold - is that the one made with liquor bottle material? We did find that very cool.

Originally Posted by jackid2

What neat idea. Thanks for sharing your other adventures!

Thanks for reading!

Originally Posted by lauriep

Our museum has lots of kids programs-- easels with paints and markers that they can set up in front of a statue or painting to try and copy it, scavenger-hunt type activities. I'm sure the St Louis museum has something similar. It's a great way to introduce kids to a museum.

We have Family Sundays and classes on Saturdays. With sports it's going to be hard to fit these in, but I'm determined to as Dylan likes to draw & color and I think he's pretty good too! I can't wait to take him to the animation building to draw a character.

[mommapants]

Originally Posted by OhToodles!

I think in a few years we'll head East to hit DC or Colonial Williamsburg, but Lukas is still a bit too young right now.

Well be sure to let me know if you do - DC is a 3 hr drive, Baltimore only 2 hours and Philly is just over the bridge as well as the Jersey Shore. and NYC only 2 hours too.

That is one reason I love where I live I can be in so many cool places in a short drive.

[Her Dotness]

I think I know the seascape one you're referring to and I do like it or think it could grow on me. It's more of the painting that are just striped or blocks of color I don't always get.

Yup, agreed about the stripe paintings. That one that's just blocks of rainbow colors is still one I don't get. It doesn't seem to have anything much to say, although it did remind me of when I'd open a new box of Prang cake watercolors as a kid. Those colors were that vivid and ovals in a row.

And the red & gold - is that the one made with liquor bottle material? We did find that very cool.

Yes, that's the one. Thanks for adding what it's made of. I'd forgotten exactly what. Sure took a LOT of collecting bottle foils as the piece is really big!

I also like the piece that looks like crumpled pieces of dull gray aluminum foil set on edge in shelves like books with lots of shattered glass on the floor around it. Wasn't that one intended to suggest the artist's regret about the destruction his hometown suffered in WW2? I don't recall exactly, too many different things seen but I remember how immediately sad I felt upon seeing it the first time.

[OhToodles!]

Originally Posted by Her Dotness

Yes, that's the one. Thanks for adding what it's made of. I'd forgotten exactly what. Sure took a LOT of collecting bottle foils as the piece is really big!

I also like the piece that looks like crumpled pieces of dull gray aluminum foil set on edge in shelves like books with lots of shattered glass on the floor around it. Wasn't that one intended to suggest the artist's regret about the destruction his hometown suffered in WW2? I don't recall exactly, too many different things seen but I remember how immediately sad I felt upon seeing it the first time.

And I think I remember reading that the artist on the tapestry consumed all those bottles himself.

The one with the glass - is that in the main entryway? I remember a bunch of glass, but not sure I recall the rest.

Tonight we went to the Garden Glow at the botanical garden and it was really neat! I've got the Butterfly House to write about before I get to it though. For those on Facebook - I posted pictures tonight.

[Her Dotness]

The one with the glass - is that in the main entryway?

Yes, it's on the second floor in an alcove close to the end opposite the main entrance, I think. Second floor as calculated from the parking garage as our usual entry level since we'd rather not deal with checking an umbrella when it's rainy, plus the garage is so little used that it's generally easier to get a convenient space than in the free lots. Love those member benefits for sure now that garage parking is free for members as it has become, we discovered last week.

[RogerRabbit]

Kelly,

Just seen this posting. I'm not sure how I missed it. I love talking about all the stuff to do in STL. Most people don't realize all there is to do. And don't get me started on the short day trips to state parks around the area.

We love the zoo. We always got one of the bigger membership packages because we would go so many times. We would end up with leftover tickets for attractions. We would get them printed off and I would let the kids hand them out to a family of their choosing.

I'm with you on the Art Museum with the contemporary stuff. They used to have a round circle of white rocks. The kids asked what it was supposed to be, and I couldn't answer as I had no idea myself.

If you need help with posts on different areas let me know. I'll be glad to help add to the adventures.

Michael

[OhToodles!]

Originally Posted by RogerRabbit

Kelly,

Just seen this posting. I'm not sure how I missed it. I love talking about all the stuff to do in STL. Most people don't realize all there is to do. And don't get me started on the short day trips to state parks around the area.

We love the zoo. We always got one of the bigger membership packages because we would go so many times. We would end up with leftover tickets for attractions. We would get them printed off and I would let the kids hand them out to a family of their choosing.

I'm with you on the Art Museum with the contemporary stuff. They used to have a round circle of white rocks. The kids asked what it was supposed to be, and I couldn't answer as I had no idea myself.

If you need help with posts on different areas let me know. I'll be glad to help add to the adventures.

Michael

Everyone is more than welcome to share their own experiences in the area on here. I think that would be great and maybe I'll learn even more about what our area has to offer.
I know what circle of rocks you're talking about. I don't really get it either but was impressed by how perfect the circle looked - maybe they used something to help with that.

[chezp]

Originally Posted by OhToodles!

Everyone is more than welcome to share their own experiences in the area on here. I think that would be great and maybe I'll learn even more about what our area has to offer.

I'd just like to echo that. I always love it when people post their experiences of any travels, be it in their own backyard or much further afield. I always learn so much from the trip reports in this forum, which is why I love being a guide here, so please do post away!

[Her Dotness]

One feature of "Da Lou" that residents may not be aware of is how very many great hiking and walking trails there are in the metro itself as well as in nearby state parks. I can think of around a dozen such within 25 miles of my home near the Busch Wildlife Conservation Area, several short ones (a mile or less) inside the fenced area. And those are just the ones I know of. I wouldn't be surprised to learn there are several more as I've spotted signs for neighborhood trails oftentimes that aren't shown in trail guidebooks. There's a very pretty mile-long paved walkway that curves around a duck pond near my home which isn't marked as such as many neighborhood trails or walking paths aren't, I've learned.

The Busch Area is quite large at almost 7000 acres, historically interesting because of the ammunition storage bunkers built into hillsides here and there. The WW2 ammunition dump there was one of the largest in the nation, located so far inland in a heavily wooded area unlikely to be spotted should any enemy aircraft manage to get all the way to St. Louis.

There are numerous fishing lakes throughout the Busch, well-maintained and often having toilets nearby as well as picnic tables and grills. Most such forbid keeping your catch unless it's longer than 15" although the limits vary, so you do need to check carefully to see what the limits may be for what lake you plan to fish.

There's a target shooting range, regulated hunting, bicycling, various outdoor activities in addition to a pleasant scenic drive around the area if outdoor sports aren't your thing. The visitor center has a shop where you can buy bait and other fishing supplies, maybe some other things. Don't know what all may be sold as I usually bypass the center for the really nice paved 3/4-mile trail near the center.

Easy to get to from either the Highway 94 exit off I-40/64 or the Winghaven Blvd-Highway DD exits. I prefer the Winghaven-DD approach as the more scenic of the two...and the one nearer my home, but the countryside of either route is gorgeous any time of year really.

[lauriep]

The trails sound wonderful. The other day I saw a list (I forget who compiled it) of the happiest cities in the US. St Louis came in as #1! They mentioned all the free or low-cost family activities, which is very rare for major urban centers. The city at the bottom of the list was, surprisingly, Anaheim!

[OhToodles!]

Originally Posted by lauriep

The trails sound wonderful. The other day I saw a list (I forget who compiled it) of the happiest cities in the US. St Louis came in as #1! They mentioned all the free or low-cost family activities, which is very rare for major urban centers. The city at the bottom of the list was, surprisingly, Anaheim!

I think it was Instagram. I shared it on Facebook and said we may be known for crime, but we sure are happy happy happy. I believe they compiled it based on people smiling in pictures. MidWest as a whole was tops.

[DrDolphin]

Kelly - thanks for posting this. You are bringing back many memories of vacations to St. Louis to visit my grandparents. Both mom and dad are from STL and mom's family has lived in the city since the 1840s. I remember many fun times at the zoo!!

[Her Dotness]

As Kelly mentioned, St. Louis itself has a pretty high crime rate as well as an unpleasant city income tax. However, the actual city of St. Louis isn't all that big a deal as there are many suburbs. The one I live in is nearly 50 miles from the Mississippi River and has a very low crime rate. From what I've observed or heard of, domestic disputes or too-loud, late-night parties are the main reasons why police are called where we live. Anyway, I have almost no fear of walking wherever I wish around here, even after dark. It's very peaceful at night, almost like living in the country but for some highway noise. From what I've heard people say, the smaller outlying suburbs are much more like the independent towns they were before each grew to the point that there wasn't much distance, if any, remaining between. Not much of a big city feel to any, and some still have pods of small family farms here and there. Maryland Heights, which isn't far from DH's office, has a substantial area of active farmland. And it's almost dead center of the metro area, just a few miles off I-70.

Having grown up in a small rural community, I said when we were apartment hunting here that I did NOT want to open our front door onto a carpeted hallway a dozen stories up. Consequently, that there are many places to live here that feel like small towns but have big city shopping a short drive away suits me just fine. And I can step out our front door and see woodlands less than a half mile away.

[OhToodles!]

Sorry it's been so long! Update to follow!

[OhToodles!]

The Butterfly House is included with our membership to the Missouri Botanical Garden so on a Saturday we thought it was going to be a nice day so we’d venture out the Butterfly House and ride the carousel in Faust park near by. The carousel ended up not working out as it was a very chilly day, but the Butterfly House was all nice and warm.









Here is some information about the Butterfly House taken from their website:
The Butterfly House is a not-for-profit organization which was established in 1995 to increase awareness of the natural habitat in which butterflies thrive. The new facility was built entirely with private funds provided through donations of foundations, corporations, individuals, as well as membership support.
Ground was broken in June of 1997 and construction began on the Butterfly House. The 8,000 square foot Conservatory Garden is sheathed in 646 pieces of glass, each measuring 4' X 6' and weighing approximately 200 pounds. The center vault, soaring 36' high at its apex, is one of five vaults designed to minimize visual (and flight) obstruction. Great care was taken in the design and engineering of the building to assure a natural and safe habitat for the butterflies. An additional 8,000 square feet adjacent to the Conservatory houses a classroom, theater, visitor amenities and gift shop. Christner, Inc., Bannes Consulting and BSI Constructors executed the design, project management and construction.

The Butterfly House opened its doors to the public on September 18, 1998 and provides educational opportunities to a diverse visitorship. In 2000 the outdoor area known as the Butterfly Garden was dedicated. The Butterfly House offers education programs, special events, lectures and, of course, the chance to witness butterflies in two habitats, one native and one tropical.

In July, 2001, the Butterfly House became a division of the Missouri Botanical Garden, a leader in horticultural displays, research and education. The following year, 2002, the second expansion of the facility opened and was designated the "Emerson Lakeside Terrace". This plaza area is the site for many special events, both public and private. The same year, the Butterfly House began participating with Butterfly Conservation Initiative, BFCI, of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the next year it was accredited by the AZA becoming the only dedicated insect facility in this organization.
The historic Faust Family greenhouse structure was renovated in 2007 and began supplying a significant portion of animal food needs, especially nectar for the butterflies. In 2007, the Butterfly House was also recognized by El Bosque Nuevo as providing funding, through purchases of pupae from this sustainable butterfly farming operation in Costa Rica, to purchase more than 16 acres of land for the protected reserve.

Like I mentioned above admission is included with our MoBot membership, otherwise it would have been $20 for our family of 4 ($6/adult and $4/child). Hours of admission are 9am to 4pm daily, except Mondays, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas and New Year’s Day. Although at the time I believed the hours were until 5pm (as did some others we saw later that day). I’m glad we arrived when we did, which was about 3pm so we still had an hour to go through the Butterfly House. This was the last day I believe for the Owl Butterflies and we thought the boys would enjoy them.

We arrived about 3pm and after showing my membership card was given 4 admissions. We entered and the boys were soon fascinated by all the bugs. I think they could have spent hours watching them all. Mommy on the other hand was a bit freaked out and moved them on to the butterflies.








Before entering where the butterflies are housed we had to listen to a clip about how to enter and to not touch any of the butterflies. You entered a vestibule, let the door close behind you and then were allowed to enter. There were butterflies to be seen and flying around right away. Lukas ended up being a bit scared by them which I was not expecting. Dylan however, very much enjoyed seeing the butterflies. The down side to being chilly outside was that we were bundled up and it was quite warm inside the butterfly house. Soon I was carrying all the jackets.





looking up in the house





















As we made our way through we stopped in one spot and a butterfly landed on my coat. He stayed there for quite a while and we enjoyed watching him.




















another view of the house















Near the exit they have the whole butterfly making process on display with caterpillars in cocoons. One was trying to hatch and we watched for a bit but we needed to get moving.








There was a kid area set up near the entrance with a movie that plays a continuous loop and some books. I went to the restroom and when I returned Mike was reading the boys some books.




It was closing time so we headed out and let the boys play outside a bit before heading home.










The Butterfly House was something nice to do for a few hours and it’s really beautiful to see all the butterflies. This month is Morpho March and since Dylan is on Spring Break the week of the 17th we’ll probably go back to see the beautiful blue Morphos.