Bemidji Trip - Day 2

Woke up around 0800 and drove the remaining miles over to St. Louis. Crossed the Mississippi and took the kids first to the Gateway Arch - we got there right when it opened. Our ride up in the little elevator cars was a memorable moment - the kids liked it! Great weather, could see a lot of Illinois and Missouri from all angles. After we were done with that experience, we drove over to Grant's Farm (scouting out helps a lot - see AUG 2003). The girls loved the animals and the tram tour. I enjoyed some beers again in the plaza at the end of the tour. After around five hours in the park - including some good pictures with baby clydesdales and great souvenirs (1335L) - we sadly departed, bound for Illinois. Got some gas in Affton, Missouri (1400L) before we crossed the Mississippi River. We got on I-57 and headed north. I had planned to take the kids to see the grave of Abraham Lincoln, but by the time we got to Springfield, we got sidetracked in the area around his home - it has been restored to look like it did when he left in 1861 for Washington. We arrived in time to take a tour of the area, which was quiet and almost felt like a time machine... Bought some nice items (to remember our visit) at Mr. Lincoln's Souvenir Shop (1610L). We stayed until after sunset (we never did get to see the grave...). [We ate dinner...]. Our day had been fun, but our little side trips meant that the schedule was affected (I was planning to visit President Reagan's home in northern Illinois, but the time didn't seem right). Hotel availability also became a concern. At that point, I decided to continue into Iowa so that the leg to Bemidji would be shorter tomorrow. Filled up the tank in Davenport (2055L) and then found a Quality Inn in Iowa City (2145L).