Tour Law?

A legal question to begin our journey to the Midwest: Who owns the armrests in airplanes? The answer on Southwest yesterday appears to be the window and aisle seaters. Through some quirk in the highly automated SW seating system, MFO and I (finally – “See agent at gate for seating”) were issued passes Nos. C20 and 21. The last person allowed down the jetway was number C23. “All seats are full, please put all carryons under seats”. All of this resulted in two hours of agony shoehorned into a middle seat in almost a fetal postion with basically arms crossed in front of me and toes fetched up against laptop and camera bags. MFO had a similar experience in some other part of the airplane. “Have a nice flight!”

Before boarding the airplane from Hell, we were treated to see a plane load of WWII vets arrive, to a standing ovation. There were several active military folks around and they all came over and shook the hands of the vets. A touching scene…



Thus began our “Twain Tour”, bringing us to St. Louis yesterday, and then on to Hannibal today. After the effects of the airplane wore off we had a nice time with our other travelers and seeing some sights of good old home town St. Louis. After checking in to the nice Marriott here by Harry’s on Jefferson we took the hotel shuttle down to the old court house, did a little tour there, and then wandered down to the Arch.





Being a lovely day, I didn’t join the majority who wanted to “do” the underground museum and tram to the top, but just wandered around with my camera.





Somebody replaced all the young trees with mature ones while we were gone!



As the weather cooled we headed back to the Hotel, and started to deal with dinner. The specter of a “tour” brings the “group dinner” into play. We did a quick call to Trattoria Marcella, and as expected was told that two could be served no earlier than 8:30, so we decided to cast our lot with the group. They’re a fun bunch, so not a problem. Some had heard of the Schlafly Tap Room, and since it was in the three mile “Free Zone” we were again able to use the hotel shuttle, and ten of us packed in the van and off we went. St. Louis residents might remember that Shlafly is an old St. Louis name associated with beer (along with that “other” St. Louis company). They have renovated an 1904 building and it now houses their brewpub. The place is huge and easily swallows apparently any amount of visitors as it was pretty packed but although we had to break into separate parties, we were seated immediately. High ceilings, brick walls, many people means, LOUD. And it was. Although seated across a two top from MFO conversation was strained: “What?” “What’ll you have?” What?”. The menu is basically bar food although they call it “European inspired Pub Fare”. Lots of Apps, soups, salads, sandwiches, and large plates. Oddly enough no flat breads or pizzas. The appetizers have some interesting entries, Bangers and Mash, Smoked Liverwurst, Steak Frites, all appear. We selected a “meat and cheese” platter for starters along with a couple of glasses of Wyndham Estates Shiraz and Toasted Head Merlot (and yes, I know it was a brew pub). Later I found the beer list attached to the wall. For dinner I had the (whoops we’re out of the grilled steak sandwich) roast beef sandwich, and MFO took an interesting looking “Fried Egg and Ham Toastie’.

Our platter of meats arrived before the wines, and it was very good. It had about 12 things scattered around a chopping block, several sausages, some nicely pickled carrots, cauliflower, asparagus, and some huntsman cheese, with an ample amount of toasted bread slices. Could almost have made a meal of that. Very nice for 9 bucks.

Sandwiches were one for two, MFO’s ham thing was very nice. It actually appeared that they carved the ham from a ham rather than lunch meat and the warm potato salad was sharp with vinegar and plenty of bacon. The eggs were still a bit runny, a good sign from the kitchen. She deconstructed it and just ate the innards. Other choice was vinegar slaw. No fries here. My shaved roast beef was dried out and gray, I guess a testament to “slow roasted” description on the menu. The roll it was served on was not distinguished. I accompanied it with a glass of American Pale Ale which was refreshing.

There were a wide array of other diners/eaters, some of which were in Indianapolis Colts garb. (The Colts will destroy the home town Rams today). The gentleman next to us had sort of a dunce cap woolen affair that never was removed with a big horseshoe embroidered on it. Travel and touring and the acoustics finally wore us out, and we returned to the Hotel just in time to learn the Spartans avoided handing the Hawkeyes their first season loss on the last play of the game. Way to go, Sparty..

So today we “do” St. Charles, and then bus to Hannibal for what will surely be a big adventure. Tonight we’re staying at LuLu’s bed and breakfast.. not sure about food accommodations, but whatever, we’ll be

DFD