Mo To Miss

North of St Louis near Alton, Illinois the Mighty Mo flows into the Might Mississippi.  The Confluence is observable from the Lewis and Clark Confluence Tower on the Illinois side of the rivers.  There is the Jones Confluence Park on the Missouri side, but it is frequently closed due to flooding... as it was last weekend.  Costs $6 for adults, $5 if you're ancient.  There is a tour guide.  Above, you can see where the rivers merge. Below is the aerial view of the same place.

 The Kid and Jon... by the entrance to the tower.  Lewis and Clark reportedly started their Expedition at the mouth of the Missouri at the Confluence.

                           Top, the Missouri River.  Bottom, the Mississippi River.

                                                       Egret and dead fishes.

                                           Another shot of the confluence.

 It was a lousy time of day for photos as the sun was directly overhead... also there was a lot of haze/smoke over by the city.  Black and white made it palatable .

There are three levels of the Tower each with a protective cage all around the deck.

Skyline

                                           Skyline from Summit Street Bridge.

No Matter The Chaos, We Still Have Flowers

                                 Taken at Kauffman Memorial Gardens yesterday.

Restoration Update

Update on the William Chick Scarritt House. Tiles are going on the west half of the roof. These were imported from Brazil. The tiles came by boat to Houston and then by rail to Kansas City. Next; the windows will be installed. Some of the window in the tower are curved. One factory in Arkansas is the only one that can do thermal, curved windows. They are ready to go. After that the curved copper gutter will be installed on the tower top...but first Susan and Larry have to find someone to curve the copper!   In 1888 the construction of this home cost $30,000.  
Remarkable progress on this restoration!!!

On The Loose For An Hour

Went for an hours trek in Loose Park today..  The Rose Garden looks wonderful and everything is now all greened up. 

Historic Northeast Homes - Volume 13 - 506 Wabash Avenue

506 Wabash was built circa 1888 for physician Valcolon W. Mather by Western Lumber Company.  In 1893 John W. Merrill, manager of the Big Four Tea and Coffee Company was listed as the owner. Mr. Merrill was an enigmatic businessman who was known as an avid collector and the house became affectionately known as "The House of Relics."

  

             The current occupants are a graphic designer and artist who are moving out of the area.  Most of the house is original...woodwork, pocket doors, tin ceilings, Victorian heater in the kitchen...floors all are from 1888.  

                                                       Victorian heat in the kitchen.

                                                       Their young son has quite the room....

                                              Above and below, second floor hallway.

                                                         Third floor studio.  Creative space.

          An out building in back of the house has been transformed into a meeting area for gatherings.