Tuesday, April 29, 2014

St. Louis Zoo - The Best Smelling Zoo

I've visited the St. Louis Zoo more times than I can count.

But, lately, I have been coming to my senses about some of the things I used to associate with the St. Louis Zoo.

First of all: the smell.
I've always loved the smell of the Zoo.
When I was younger, I just thought it was the mulch.
But no. It's the animals.
I still love it.

And second: the train.
The St. Louis Zoo offers a train ride that takes you around the Zoo, and past multiple attractions.
And like any other railroad, they perform a brake check before heading down a steep grade.
You see, I've never sat in the very front of the train, so I've never seen the actual check going on.
And when I was younger, my friend's dad told me a chicken always sat on top of the tracks, so they had a shoo it away.

I've believed this since last year.
It was truly a heartbreaking revelation.

But, despite my realizations, I still always have a wonderful time at the Zoo.

Score! Another birthday cake.

Yes, I flinched. Wouldn't you?!
Exhibit A.

I may have knocked over a toddler and an older lady to get this picture.

The largest rodent.

You know, for being one of the enemies of the Lion King, this guy is pretty cute.

RUDE.
I'd like to do that.

The nacho cheese tasted like movie theater popcorn.
So, it wasn't even cheese.
Just cheese-flavored oil.

My all-time favorite statue.

Bored on the train.

My favorite animal: naked mole rats.
Judge me if you want.

I. WANT.

As usual - I'm confused.

Roaming chickens really do make me anxious. 

No poo flinging today.
Only cuteness.

Sorry, sir.
I'll just be leaving...

Very appropriately, my carousal animal.

A new method to carry your children.

The Somali Wild Ass.
OF COURSE I took the opportunity.

Possibly the lightest slushy known to mankind.

This guy terrorized me as a child.

Vicious, yet cuddly-looking.

I really just wanted to hug it.

Oops.

And lastly - the (not really) famous St. Louis Zoo statue.
It's famous to me.

Saturday, April 26, 2014

Laumeier Sculpture Park - The Treasury of Smells + Huts With No Names

I took a trip to Laumeier Sculpture Park the other day, and I really am confused at what exactly the definition of art is.

I feel like a war could've been fought in this fort.

Welcome to my humble abode.
Just kidding.
I'm renting it for 5 minutes.

I can only wish that we were there the one hour the cameras were not on.

I'm the real Godzilla. 

We're all tree huggers around here.

A pool abandoned in the 30's.
Think of all the bodies that were in there.

Ew.

Cromlech Glen.

Eek.

I found my new favorite plant that day.

I felt like something was watching me that day.
*ba dum tiss*

Made out of repurposed oil tanks.
It said no climbing.
My day was ruined.

Need a fence?

I really liked this hut, but I couldn't find its name.
I was very sad.

There's a solicitor at my door.
Excuse my while I hide.

Friday, April 25, 2014

Schlafly Brewery + Restaurant, St. Louis

 I really have no idea how to start this post, because I ate at a brewery, yet I am under 21.
But, the food was sublime, so I decided to post about it.
Duh.

I hate when front entrances block signs.

Schlafly's own root beer.
The line between this and cream soda is very fuzzy.

I ate this and felt like Jesus.

*heavy breathing*

This picture doesn't do much justice, but the applesauce was bright green.
It tasted ah-maz-ing though.

Beer soap.
Mind blown.

Possibly one of the best shirts ever made.

Another wonderful shirt.
Modeled after a St. Louis Cardinal's jersey.

One of St. Louis' 250th birthday cakes.

So I guess you could say I kind of liked this place.


Wednesday, April 23, 2014

The St. Louis Arch + The Westward Expansion Museum


Living in the city of St. Louis for my whole life, I have only been to the St. Louis Arch twice.

The first time, on a third grade field trip, where I leaned against the arch and ruined my favorite jacket.

And yesterday, where during the 30 minute wait to ride up the arch, I kind of panicked.

And for the Westward Expansion Museum, it's pretty cool.
It also smells like the airport.

What a welcome.

You know, I got pretty bored waiting for our pod to take us up.

I said "yo, look at me!" to the robot/wax figure.
This happened.
I screamed. 

These apples weren't even real.
Schmuh.

It took all my willpower not to pull this, in fear it would shut down the whole Arch.
I pulled it.

Going up, and panicking.

Looking down, and feeling faint.

Finally at the top!
This is a shot of Busch Stadium, where the St. Louis Cardinals play.

This is where the Arch started to sway.
It has a tendency to do that.

The Old Courthouse.
I've been inside there before.
You know, for a field trip...

The St. Louis Arch is also a great place to take pictures of people.
This must be what a bird feels like.

What a pretty city.


So pretty.
*swoon*

These were everywhere.
I started to wonder if they had any significance.
So, I took a picture just in case.


This thing is huge.
If you want to read more on the building of the arch, here ya go, reader.

I hate steps.
But they were kinda worth it.

As you can observe here, I'm having a great time.

If you're at the right angle, you get really freaked out and you'll be convinced the Arch will collapse on you.

This is how this structure is held together.
Wowza.

I was looking out those windows. 
Zingaaaaa.

I think we all need one more zing for good measure.
Zingaaaaaaaaaaa.


Flickr albums (more pictures):
St. Louis Arch
Westward Expansion Museum