Woke early, packed, spent the work day in Boulder, Friday night flight to St. Louis – another race weekend, my third straight.

Been excited about marathoning in St. Louis since I race-registered last Fall – hometown to my sis & her family.  Travelled tonite with Stacy, a fellow Marathon Maniac – plan was to meet up at DIA, same itinerary.  Fifteen minutes out, she called: our flight was cancelled. Luckily, Stacy’s a take-charge gal with kick travel skillz.  Tonite’s new destination: Chicago O’Hare.  5 hours of sleep at La Quinta (on United’s dime), morning connector to St. Louis.

Unfortunately, missed my nephew’s blistering 24 minute 5K finish – but arrived in time to meet my family at SLU for bib pick-up.  Tammy’s long said NO to GO (Go! St. Louis Marathon) so appreciative she & hubby both entered the Half.  Yeah, my family ROCKS!

Today’s pre-race activity – The Great River Road.  Nothing says St. Louis like a day on the mighty Mississipp’.  Quick obligatory stop at the Arch (even under construction, cannot miss St. Louis’ towering landmark), then east to Alton, Illinois.  Detoured 30 minutes & toured Lewis & Clark State Historical Site.  Always been enamored with Lewis & Clark and the American West (I was born in the wrong era).

Rode up Confluence Tower & viewed the meeting/confluence of 2 great rivers – the Mississippi & Missouri.  Water on both sides of the highway, springtime on the Mississippi – happens every year.  Though Confluence Tower was a bit of a bust ($4 to ride an elevator is kinda lame), picked up a map highlighting local passenger ferries.  Now that would be cool – to ride across the Mississippi, right?

First lunch, then ferry.

My friend Cliff recommended I try Fin Inn Restaurant in nearby Grafton.  Snapping turtle & river carp are muddy water favourites in this rural area.  Decked with aquariums, ate tableside to my lunch plate’s kin.  Started with turtle soup, finished with buffalo fish – deep fried, served with ketchup & an onion.  Listened to locals discuss an episode of Swamp People.  Redneck river day 🙂

Boarded Brussels Free Ferry – first of 2 ferries used to cross the Mississippi today.  Sunshine overhead as we travelled scenic country roads & followed placard postings to Golden Eagle Ferry – dropping us back in Missouri, about an hour northwest of my sister’s home.

Marathon ready, feelin’ all Huck Finn – LOVED my day on the mighty Mississipp’!

Mississippi River ferry crossing