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Wednesday, September 14, 2011

TRAVEL WITH SERENA -- ST. LOUIS, MO


Author Lois Winston, who writes those books about yours truly (check out the sidebar to the right), is heading off to St. Louis to take part in the Bouchercon mystery convention where she’ll be talking all about ME! So travel editor Serena Brower thought today might be a good time to give you a bit of trivia about St. Louis. -- AP

Thanks, Anastasia! Of course, everyone knows St. Louis is in Missouri, which is known as the “Show Me State.” Ever wonder where that expression came from? It heralds back to 1899 when Congressman Willard Duncan Vandiver said, “I’m from Missouri, and you’ve got to show me.” The saying stuck and became the state motto.

Here are some more facts and trivia specific to St. Louis:

For those of you looking for a vacation that doesn’t break the bank, St. Louis offers more free visitor attractions than any other U.S. city besides Washington, DC. These include the St. Louis Art Museum, the St. Louis zoo, the St. Louis Science Center, the Missouri History Museum, Anheuser-Busch Brewery, Grant’s Farm, Cahookia Mounds, and more.

St. Louis is known as both “The Gateway to the West” and “The Home of the Blues.”

The first successful parachute jump made from a moving plane happened in St. Louis in 1912.

Both ice tea and the ice cream cone were invented at the St. Louis World’s Fair in 1904.

St. Louis University is the oldest university west of the Mississippi River.

Thanks, Serena! I do hope that Lois doesn’t avail herself of all that free touristy stuff while she’s there, though. She’s supposed to be promoting me. ;-) 
Post a comment to enter the drawing for a free e-book from our Book Club Friday guest author. -- AP

3 comments:

Patricia said...

I drink ice tea every single day! Thank you, St. Louis.
Patti

Cathy Shouse said...

Have fun at Bouchercon, Anastasia! I went when it was in Indianapolis. Say hello to Charlaine Harris and Kate White for me. No need to mention my name, they don't exactly know me, but I did see them in Indy. :)

Now, if you see Marcus Sakey, tell him I said hello. I met him and Sean Conover when they were at a Very Slow book signing and we've met at various venues over the years.

Michael Connely gave a great speech that year. Well, I better go before you start calling me a name dropper.

Cathy

Liz V. said...

My comment seems to have gone astray, but hope you're having a great time at Bouchercon.