trip to St. Louis

Since the doctor gave me an "all clear" I decided to get on with vacation plans ASAP. July 12-15 I spent visiting friends in St. Louis, Missouri. I stayed with my friend Jenelle and her family. Jenelle and I worked together my first year at GC back in 2001-2002. We developed a very special friendship and have kept in touch through the years. I make a trip out to see her once a year if I can. It's always refreshing to spend time away from Goshen with someone who knows about my life here. It's like having the best of both worlds!

Saturday I drove out to St. Louis - it was a pretty nice drive overall. I ran into about 30 minutes of torrential downpour midway through the trip, but other than that it was uneventful - the way I like driving trips to be! I arrived while the family was at a birthday party, so I enjoyed stretching on the couch and reading my latest novel. When they arrived home I was a part of bedtime stories & such with the kids and then stayed up entirely too late catching up with Jenelle.

Isn't he just too cute?!

Sunday I went to church at St. Louis Mennonite Fellowship. I have been to this church a handful of times and feel comfortable there. Many of the regular attenders recognize my from my other trips and want to hear how things are going. One family - the Sprungers - sent two of there sons to GC where the boys lived in my residence hall. Their entire family was in church that day, so I spent time chatting with each one of them hearing what they are up to now. I felt at home - what a pleasant feeling when you are far from home.

A photo of me in a vineyard

Sunday afternoon Jenelle had to make a road trip to drop her daughter off to spend time with her grandparents from Tulsa. It worked out well that this was also the time that worked best for me to get together with my other St. Louis friend - Mike. Mike picked me up after church and we drove about an hour to the west of the city to the Mount Pleasant Winery. We did a little wine tasting and then sat out on the veranda where we talked and took in the majestic scenery for a couple of hours. We drove around more of wine country and then headed back to the city where we ate dinner at Stir Crazy - a fun "make your own stir fry" restaurant. It was a relaxed and enjoyable afternoon/evening.

Mike at the winery

On Monday I went to St. Charles with Jenelle and her little boy. We walked around the shops and I purchased a bunch of spice blends and bouillons from the various spice houses. After walking around there we drove down to the south end of the city for a late lunch and shopping at Trader Joe's! That evening we enjoyed a dinner of pasta with pesto made from the basil grown in her garden and fresh sauteed zucchini and corn on the cob. We also drank the bottle of wine that I had purchased at the winery the day before. It was a delicious meal and there was great conversation as we visited with her husband around the table.

Jenelle and Jacob

On Tuesday I had planned on heading back to Goshen early in the morning, but decided to delay my departure a bit so that I could go to lunch with Jenelle at Stellina Pasta Cafe. It was SO worth the adjustment to my schedule! I ordered the "Hog Wild" - a sandwich of shaved ham, bacon, granny smith apple, white cheddar, and sweet hot mustard on grilled peasant bread. I got the watermelon salad with it - a salad of watermelon, red bell pepper, fresh basil, and oil & vinegar. And while these two items were delicious, they did not compare with the sandwich that Jenelle was willing to share with me, the "South Side Smoke" - pulled pork, caramelized onions, and smoked Gouda cheese on a sea salt ciabatta bun. She had raved about this sandwich, but I generally do not like pulled pork and was unwilling to order it for myself. I am so glad that I tried hers! It was an absolute taste explosion in my mouth!

Me, Jacob, and Jenelle outside Stellina's

I then made my trip home in record time...just under 6 hours! It was a wonderful trip and I look forward to my next trip there!