St Louis Botanical Gardens

**click on picture to enlarge**

Henry Shaw's dream lives on 150 years later. This year, 2009 marks The Sesquicentennial of The St. Louis Botanical Gardens. The words, awesome, incredible, magnificent, beautiful, and wow all come to mind when I think of the visits we've had there. An Englishman, Henry Shaw felt there was more then just beauty to flowers and plants. He understood their importance and felt the science of, the study of to be necessary. His home was the beginning of this dream. He had an exotic orchid collection.

The St. Louis Botanical Gardens covers 79 acres, is opened all seasons with a wide variety of activities for all, regardless of age and interest. You can purchase your tickets on line, park free and rent a motorized scooter if walking presents a problem. The entire garden acreage is disability friendly, accessible for all to enjoy. Ticket prices vary based on age, whether or not you're a member, and a St. Louis county or city resident.

The list of activities to enjoy there is long. You can walk for exercise from 7-9 am, tour on your own, join a guided tour, line up a birthday party, take an educational class, experience special festivals; or summer evening concerts.

Every year 100,000 new specimens arrive at the gardens. The scientific exploration, preservation, and identification that Henry Shaw started so long ago has grown to a global effort. A temperature controlled vault and complete catalog of plant species is something the casual visitors doesn't see, but one that carries forward the importance of Shaw's dream. Plants and flowers provide more than just beauty for our eyes to behold, they improve the air quality we breath, provide medications, keep our soil from eroding. They sustain us in many ways.

I encourage everyone to put this on their list of things to do. I plan to return again, and again.

**pssssssss, did you vote for me? There's still time, click on the badge at the top of the post, and Thanks!

Marion, Ohio

President Warren G. Harding's Memorial. I know I have other pictures; but am in need of organizing. Lost thousands of photo's that were on my computer at this time yesterday. So, please bare with me as I post things as I find them. I must reload from memory stick, and CD's and get organized. Painful. However, that doesn't lessen the fun I had as a child here at this Memorial. I lived within walking distance, and biking distance. The grounds are gorgeous, a bit hilly and an awesome place to play, to run, to roll down hills. All things we did there as kids. We enjoyed sledding there in winter. Plus, there's a park right across the street. Not to diminish showing proper respect for this man, who was our President; but this would be a good outing for people of all ages. History for Mom and Dad to enjoy, a park for the children and the pets to stretch their legs. Plan a picnic with the park right there.
Facts and items of interest:

• He was born during the Civil War (1865)
• He became President after WWI with a campaign slogan of "return to Normalcy"
• He came from a large family
• His Mother was a midwife who later received her medical license
• His Father was a teacher
• There has been speculation that his great grandmother may have been or had African-American Blood, some records indicate that was a rumor made to discredit him during the election.
• He died of a heart attack/stroke
• Was in The Ohio Senate, served as Lt. Governor, served as US Senator
• Republican
• Won with the largest popular vote landslide
  
• Was a Darkhorse during the convention
• Owned and operated the Marion Daily Star Newspaper
• Like to play poker

He wanted a simple grave, to be buried outside under the stars and trees. He loved nature. At one time a tree adorned the memorial; but was hit by lightening. His simple grave was altered, funding in part by huge donations of dimes from school age children. Though he did get his wish to be out in the stars. The memorial was restored in 1980. It's 103 feet in diameter and stands 53 feet in height. One can wind around the columns which is great fun for children.

His house can be toured and is 1.5 miles from the memorial. It was from this front porch that he often spoke, and thus became known for the front porch campaign.

Local's spread the rumor that his dog, Laddie Boy was buried there with he and his wife, Florence; but documentation indicates that is not the case.

**On a personal note, my great grandfather, Charles Frederick Mader played in a band with President Harding. In fact he taught music, and taught him to play the cornet. That was before he was President, naturally. My great grandfather was a band director.

Marion is 50 miles north of the state capital, Columbus.

The Many Faces of Vegas

Vegas has many faces, though I think the first word that comes to mind is gambling, there are other things to do there. This is my collage to show some of the different faces I saw while in Vegas.

Left to right:

1. The architecture is fabulous, both inside and out. The buildings are beautiful. Some representing buildings/places that exist around the country, some represent locations around the world, such as The Eiffel Tower.
2. Hoover Dam, not far from Vegas has a fabulous tour you can take and learn all about the building of the Dam. The views from that area are a photo must.
3. Art. Art in many forms abounds; but my favorite would have been The Chihuly glass pieces.
4. The flowers inside and out are breath takingly beautiful, and always in bloom. You never see a dead flower, or plant in need of pruning.
5. The lights, the nightlife, the water fountains, and water shows are awesome.
6. The pretend skies make you forget you're not outside. The view shown is in a shopping mall. The ski actually changes with the time of day to look and feel realistic. I'm not a shopper, but for those that are...bring your wallet! All the high end designers have wares here and the shopping malls are gorgeous.
   

There was a period of time when they tried to make Vegas a family place with rides and entertainment for young children; that was a big mistake in my opinion. It is indeed a very adult location. Entertainment is adult, the gambling is for adults, and the mix of people you see in various stages of dress or undress is most definitely adult. I'm not a prude, but I would not recommend this as a family vacation location. Save this trip for you and your adult friends.

Vegas is fun, though can be pricey depending on where you stay, and where you eat, and how much you gamble. I'm not a gambler and spent less than $50.00 while there for 4 days gambling. I enjoyed watching the people, and seeing the sites. The pools are spectacular if you want some down time. In my opinion, 3 or 4 days in Vegas is about the right amount of time. If you're wanting to take a weeks vacation add other locations to your itinerary.

**Thanks to all who took the time to follow my link and read my memorial post to my parents.
****Thanks to those who've voted for me in the travel category. If you haven't, it's not too late. Please click the badge above this post, go to travel section, click on the title of my blog, Traveling Suitcase.

Traveling down Memory Lane/ a Dedication

Today, I'm asking you all to travel with me down memory lane. Today would be my parents 62nd Wedding Anniversary. After much difficulty due to compatibility issues between my new computer and my photo's and scanner, I finally have a memory post. Please, please visit me here to help me on this special day.

Click on the word here above or click on the badge on my side bar, Sandy's Space.

Many thanks.