simultaneously

I imagine it’s especially worth visiting if you have kids. No terribly different from the science museums in all the other big cities in the US-interactive (which to me means kinda germy), noisy, and wide-ranging in sub matter-except that it’s FREE. Even parking is free. That’s one magical thing about St. Louis: all you really need to go to a museum is a shirt and some shoes.

If you’re an adult don’t miss: 1) Gorbachev in the visual illusions area (you’ll see what I mean—can’t fig out whether it’s a political statement or no) 2) The chance to shoot a radar gun at cars below on 64/40 to see how fast they’re going.

The famous traveling Body Works exhibit starts up in a few weeks at the STL Science Center, so I’ll be going back soon. (That particular exhibit is probably not free, btw.)

i went to a performance of rachmaninoff’s vespers by the bach society of st. louis. GORGEOUS, visually and aurally.

i often find myself doing something i don’t really want to do (and don’t even HAVE to do) but feel that i SHOULD do. but a couple weeks ago, when it was intermission at the MUNY (my first time there) during “joseph and the technicolor dreamcoat,” i realized that it was very hot (probably about 90. at NINE pm.), that i hated the overpriced trendy malt beverage i was drinking, and that yippity-skippity-type musicals have never been my thing. so i up and left.

i was sorta proud of myself.

but the muny really is pretty neat, especially if you like the particular show and if it is not august.

at venice beach this june i decided that if i’m not happy doing what i’m doing in 1 year, i will quit. regardless of the consequences.

to remind me, i brought home a stone. it fits perfectly in my hand, like the grip on a bike handlebar.

I would love to experience some of the hot springs in Idaho. I read about several of them in an old National Geographic Traveler magazine: Bonneville, Burgdorf, Desert, Elkhorn, Goldbug, Lava, Molly’s Tubs, Pine Flats, Sugah. Anyone have favorites?

I just read a National Geographic travel mag article about the cenotes of Yucatan. I am intrigued. The article mentions Dos Ojos, Bolonchohol, Dzitnup, & especially Aktun Chen. Does anyone have a favorite?

Read a National Geographic travel mag article about this place. apparently in their “follow the north star” program, visitors pretend to be bands of runaway slaves for 90 minutes. it’s supposedly a very intense experience. anyone ever done this? what did you think?

I read an article about this park in National Geographic’s travel mag. Apparently it’s about 320 mi north of SF & Hwy. 101 passes right through it. The looping 11-mi James Irvine Trail “travels through old-growth stands….before desciendng into Fern Canyon, a dripping gorge with walls covered in creeping ferns. The trail turns around at Gold Bluffs Beach, where ten miles of protected coast boast….roaming Roosevelt Elk.” Sounds so AMAZING! Anyone been there? Tips?

I read in the National Geographic travel mag that Lower Telephone Canyon is much less crowded than some other areas: “starting at the Grotto trailhead, the route traces the breathtaking west rim for two miles to Scout’s lookout. Then, crossing a small bridge, it leaves the main trail, traveling another 2 miles into lower telephone.” Highlight of trail is the 1500 ft lookout on the Narrows of Virgin River. Other tips on Zion?

I found an article about the High Falls Loop inside the Adirondacks’ lowlands Five Ponds Wilderness Area…virgin forest, a 15 mile loop that begins near Wanakena. High Falls is a 21ft waterfall and the turnaround point. trout fishing on the route. Other great stuff to see?