We have stayed at the Grafton Marina. This is a cute one street town. There are wineries, restaurants, antique shops and fresh produce spots, one that sells home made pies.

On Wednesday Diane and I walked the town and went into every shop around. I was lucky enough to get my hair done and must say I was quite pleased with the end result.

We rented a car and on Thursday we drove to St. Louis. We rode the lift to the top of the Arch. My goodness, what a view. Kelley picked a spot for lunch that was in the city, but walking distance from the Arch. We then drove out to the Anheuser Bush Brewery. How could we not? After the tour: 2 tastes of their beers, your choice. After that we got back into the car and drove around Forest Park where the world fair took place in 1904. It is a huge park and this is where the zoo is. This zoo rivals San Diego zoo. It is free! Take a lesson San Diego.

Friday we were off to St Charles. What a charming historic town. The buildings have been preserved and the shops are darling. It is not filled with tourist stuff. This is a town where people live and the shops show that. I was able to pick up a few things that I needed (wanted?). Also in town is a nature center and the Louis and Clark Boathouse. We visited the museum and watched an interesting video of the expedition that these two men organized. I must say after watching what it must have been like for them I knew that doing the Mississippi for us was not going to be so horrific!

We had lunch at the Magpie Cafe! Yum! Probably one of the best places that we have eaten at. In the evening there was a looper pot luck. Since we had been gone all day, our contributions were 2 home made peach pies. Not from my home, but from the produce shop. We all appreciated them!

On  Saturday we returned the car. Diane organized an outing to one of the wineries. After tasting their wines, we all ordered a beer and listened to the music. Afterward we went back to the marina and met with the rest of the loopers; a van from the restaurant up the hill, The Aeries, came to pick us up. The view from this restaurant was spectacular! Pizzas seemed to be the thing to order! It was a great evening.

Sunday we hung out. A group of loopers had left the day before to start down and we were thinking about going but there was another leaving on Monday and so we visited with the new friends that we had made.