Happy to drop off a pillow in July 2023 if you wish to purchase for $35 each.
I have three pillows left for sale!
Viola! The first French story-map of Saint Louis in over 100 years, according to the Saint Louis History Museum.
After many field trips and much research, this map was created with the help of an 8th grade French teacher who likes to take students on local field trips. You can still visit many of these sites during the pandemic!
The journey begins at Laclede’s Landing where the streets are still cobblestone and the signs are still in French. This marks the spot of the first French trading village built by french fur trader Pierre Laclede. It is here that the future city of Saint Louis was named in honor of King Louis IX of France.
French culture is firmly embedded in the architecture of Saint Louis, as evidenced by City Hall, a replica of the Hotel de Ville (city hall) in Paris, noted for its…
Three Flags Day has come and gone again, without much fanfare. March 10th is the birthday of Saint Louis, which is possibly the most fascinating city on the planet. Three Flags Day is the day three flags flew over Saint Louis, in succession, as the Louisiana Purchase passed to America from France. Saint Louis was under Spanish jurisdiction at the time. On March 10, 1804, first the Spanish, then the French, then the American flag were hoisted in succession over Saint Louis.
Remember Aaron Burr, who shot Alexander Hamilton? Shortly after that dastardly deed, Aaron Burr hatched a conspiracy with the Saint Louis governor to take Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Kentucky, Mexico, AND the Louisiana Purchase, to create a new empire, installing the brilliant Theodosia as empress. As often happens, the seditionists lost their nerve, the conspiracy fell apart and Aaron Burr ran off into Indian territory, never to be heard from again.
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Speaking of little known stories, check out this movie about Toussaint Louverture. Known as the “Black Napolean” from Haiti, Louverture single-handedly stopped the french Napolean from sailing ships straight up the Mississippi River to set up camp in Saint Louis. We owe our very democracy to this brave fellow, and more people need to know about him and Three Flags Day in Saint Louis.
These two stories are little gems, and can be found in this 1960s book of Saint Louis history written by Ernest Kirschten, an editorial writer for the Saint Louis Post Dispatch. See why it’s important to read books? There’s treasure hidden inside the books!
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Here’s the opening quote in the above book:
“We may be through with the past, but the past is not through with us.” – Bergen Evans.
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Saint Louis has long been a battleground,
and somehow the battle ultimately tilts towards the light.
If history is written by the victors,
then let’s go looking for Three Flag Day adventures,
Mark your calendars on March 6th for a Harriet & Dred Scott adventure hunt; the Old Courthouse in downtown Saint Louis is a good starting point. March 6th is the anniversary of the preposterous Supreme Court decision in 1857 that decided “Any person descended from Africans, whether enslaved or free, is not a citizen of the United States.”
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For every action there is a reaction — the Supreme Court got it wrong and reaction to that judgement helped spark the Civil War. Your destination is the Harriet & Dred Scott sculpture that faces the Arch and the Mississippi River. It’s sitting on a slave auction site.
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The Old Courthouse in Saint Louis is a very majestic building and stands a living temple to the Rule of Law. It’s modeled after the Vatican and was built at the same time as the US Capitol in Washington. It’s free to visit and important for children to do so. Enter through front doors and explore the exhibits; kids especially like the underground railroad and finding the secret staircases that lead up to the top of the cupola. Here’s a previous adventure guide with clues on how best to do that:
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The Old Courthouse is incredibly grand and worthy of many repeat visits. Don’t forget to say hello to Harriet Scott, Lucy Delaney and Frankie Freedom on your way into the building, as women are often behind many successful struggles for freedom.
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Not far from the Old Courthouse is the home of Dred Scott’s lawyer, who was Eugene Field’s father, Roswell Field. Eugene Field was a poet who became famous for his children’s poems, notably Wynken, Blinken and Nod. Eugene Field loved toys, so the Field House also houses a toy collection and interesting toy exhibits.
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The Field Museum is located near the Old Courthouse but too far to walk; it’s fun to visit during the holidays to enjoy the home in full seasonal splendor, and maybe to pick up an old-fashioned wind-up toy to add to your collection.
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The tour of the home is quite interesting, but more suited for older children as are the changing exhibits, including the exhibits on Dred Scott and Saint Louis history. It’s sort of dear to know that Saint Louis children collected pennies to help save this historic home for posterity.
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Your third destination on the Harriet and Dred Scott adventure hunt is Calvary Cemetery, where Dred Scott and Harriet Scott are buried. Their grave-sites were hard to find in the past, and can still be hard to find, which makes it a worthy adventure hunt. Dred Scott’s new gravestone makes the hunt a little easier. See section 19 on the Calvary Map:
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Many people bring pennies to leave as an offering; place them Abe Lincoln side up!
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March 6th is a great day to go on a Harriet and Dred Scott adventure hunt, or any day for that matter. They say Saint Louis is the most fascinating city in America, it’s also an important city, a historic city, a legendary city. Be sure to bring your pennies with you and then share the wealth with others.
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Speaking of pennies, there’s a penny drive to help pay off the balance of the Harriet and Dred Scott statue recently installed near the Old Courthouse. There are 22 more sites you can visit on your Harriet & Dred Scott adventure hunt!
Viola! The first French story-map of Saint Louis in over 100 years, according to the Saint Louis History Museum.
After many field trips and much research, this map was created with the help of an 8th grade French teacher who likes to take students on local french field trips.
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The journey begins at Laclede’s Landing where the streets are still cobblestone and the signs are still in French. This marks the spot of the first French trading village built by french fur trader Pierre Laclede. It is here that the future city of Saint Louis was named in honor of King Louis IX of France.
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French culture is firmly embedded in the architecture of Saint Louis, as evidenced by City Hall, a replica of the Hotel de Ville (city hall) in Paris, noted for its beauty and lighting. Here’s the very beautiful Hotel de Ville in Paris; see anything that looks familiar?
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Powell Symphony Hall is modeled after the palace at Versailles; a beautiful stained glass window can be found at St. Francis Xavier Church and Union Station is modeled after a french fortress. A renowned mosaic panel of King Louis IX can be explored in the vestibule at the Saint Louis Basilica. (Buy the small booklet in the bookshop to enhance your appreciation and enjoyment).
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The Fleur de Lis, symbol of french monarchy, was added to the Saint Louis flag in 1964 and it’s fun to hunt for fleur de lis motifs springing up with increasing frequency throughout Saint Louis. Potagers (“kitchen gardens”) and mansard roofs can be found sprinkled throughout the city.
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Soulard hosts the second largest Mardi Gras in America, and Let Them Eat Art springboards from “Let them eat Cake”. Left Bank Books is named after that famous arrondissement in Paris that is filled with bookshops, thinkers and writers.
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A vibrant number of language classes and cultural events can be found at Alliance Francaise, while a French film festival is traditionally hosted in February by Webster University’s Centre Francophone. The historic Chatillon-DeMenil House hosts a Bastille Day Celebration each year on July 14th. French colonial homes are preserved by the Les Amis organization, which also publishes a map on the Creole Corridor.
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Croissants, macaroons, crepes and traditional french cuisine can be found throughout Saint Louis, as well as chocolates by Bissingers, a favorite chocolatrie of empress Josephine, who was Napoleon’s paramour.
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All french wines owe a debt to Missouri vineyards, due to the phylloxera bug which destroyed the entire French vineyard crop in 1863, after which vines from Missouri were grafted onto French vine stock. On a nice day, it’s fun to take a champagne picnic out to Calvary Cemetery where the famous french fur trappers are buried. (By the way, Trader Joes has fantastic croissants in the freezer section.)
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If you need a hug, Green Spiral has these “French Lover” pillows available for about $35. You can order them on Zazzle or pick one up at the Green Spiral offices near the Lion Gates in UCity. Just send a note to GreenSpiralTours@gmail.com
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Or buy them on Zazzle to have one shipped to your home:
Remember that classic children’s book “Blueberries for Sal”? Maybe we should write a new book – Blueberries for Sam!
Blueberries for Sam
When the Fourth of July rolls around, it’s time to mix red berries with blue by turning your thoughts to blueberry picking. Here’s an easy cake you can make with berries from your very own garden someday.
Blueberries for Uncle Sam
Good luck, bad luck, who knows? When Green Spiral Tours started in 2008, it was hard to find even a few families willing to skip school to pick strawberries; but twelve years later, strawberry picking is now so popular it requires reservations, — so we shift our gaze to blueberries.
Yum
Blueberry picking is a wonderful inter-generational activity because it’s an activity not too tall for youngsters and not too low to the ground for grandparents. It’s also something you can do that honors social distancing during the pandemic.
Better Together
Unfortunately, there are fewer blueberry picking locations than strawberry picking locations. (Entrepreneurial Alert! We need more urban u-pick berry farms!) In the age of covid-19, farms are now booking on-line reservations.
Watch the Wind Ridge Farm web-site for their next u-pick date, and jump on it when it appears.
Here’s a run-down of other locations for your general future knowledge:
Babb Blueberry Farm in Beufort – Babb Blueberry Farm is run by a lovely couple who uses organic fertilizers, and no pesticides or herbicides. They also sell frozen blueberries and homemade jam and have an AirBnB near the lake. Located one hour west from the Arch along I-44, this is a small family operation with nice restrooms, a fishing pond and excellent hospitality. Bring a picnic lunch. Or, stop for lunch in Eureka, Pacific or at the Junie Moon Cafe in Union along the way. Babb Blueberry Farm keeps up on their Facebook posts, but always call before you go.
NOTE: In 2020 they were hit with late season frosts and lost 80% of their crops. So no more blueberry picking this year.
GPS: 2751 Highway 50, Beaufort, MO 63013 * (636) 667-1171
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Farmers Markets of Saint Louis – Berries are popular items at farmers markets and sell out quickly. There is no apostrophe in “farmers markets”, because it is literally a market for farmers, plural. Farmers Markets are business incubators, and at the core, farming is a business. If you want to support the local food movement, head for your local farmers market.
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Ozark Berry Farm – This farm offers blueberry, blackberry and elderberry picking from mid-June to mid-July. U-pick is by appointment, and is already sold out for 2020. https://www.ozarkberryfarm.com/ 552 Lick Creek Rd, Leasburg, MO 65535
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Thies Farm – The Thies family has been farming in Missouri since 1885 and now has three locations. Blueberries grown by Thies Farm can be purchased at their stores on location at the North Hanley, Maryland Heights and St. Charles location. By the way, the way to pronounce Thies Farm is like this: “TEES Farm”. Their online communications are sometimes confusing due to all the different locations. It’s best to call them by phone.
Wind Ridge Farms in New Melle – This family farm offers wagon rides for kids plus blueberry, blackberry and peach picking. It’s a bit of a drive from Saint Louis, but well worth it. By the way, peaches and blueberries are delicious together when served with a splash of cream.
Wind Ridge Farm is offering blueberry picking by appointment this year, so watch their web-site for the next date and “jump on it like a duck on a june-bug”, as they say.
Located one hour west of the Arch, along 40/64 just past Weldon Springs. GPS: 3511 Highway F, New Melle 63341 * (636) 828-5900
Graduating? Need a hug? How about a pillow that encodes all the good things to be found while growing up in Saint Louis?
Love Your City
Created as a fundraiser for The Nook, this pillow celebrates all good things about Saint Louis, including America’s #1 zoo, America’s #1 Botanical Gardens and the #1 playground for kids of all ages at the Citymuseum. Who says Saint Louis is fly over country?
We Love the Pink Duckie Race!
Citygarden might be America’s best childrens’ garden while Forest Park is America’s most beautiful urban park, complete with free Art Museum and Science Center. Needless to say, Saint Louis is home to the best fans in baseball. Need we say more. #PlayGloria
Who’s home to the “King of Beers” as well as a very vibrant craft beer scene? Who popularized the ice cream cone, plus invented iced tea, pixie stix, listerine and the hot dog? Local merchants often win craft chocolate awards and put us on the national chocolate map. In short, Saint Louis invented all the best teenager food, which is encoded on the story-map.
Home of Great Writers
“The end is where we start from”, and Saint Louis is home to many of America’s greatest writers including T.S. Eliot, Tennessee Williams and Maya Angelou. The young people will write the next chapter in American history and then we’ll make a new story-map!
We are the birthplace of kindergarten in America as well as the cradle of rock-n-roll. The Mississippi River and Route 66 run right through Saint Louis carrying with it American music and the hope of a new day. What’s not to love?
Plus! We have some of the best tasting tap water in the country. Young people don’t figure that out until they go away and taste the difference.
As they say, “if you don’t know where you’re coming from, you can’t know where you’re going”, and these pillows are a positive reminder of where kids come from. You can choose to believe the media despair about Saint Louis or you can trust your very own eyes and look to the bright side, (or at least hold a more balanced view). Let these pillows become a token of all the love and light created by so many good people working hard to make Saint Louis a wonderful place to grow up.
The pillows are for sale on Zazzle and are perfect for your high school graduate dorm rooms, car trips or camping adventures. They are 16″ x 12″ and about the size of a large book. The cover is removable and washable.
Like Vista Print, Zazzle is a print-on-demand fulfillment center that operates by discount, so the price range varies but hovers around $30. Zazzle rarely makes mistakes, and when they do they fix them, so order with confidence and Green Spiral will guarantee your purchase.
Here’s the link for the pillow. Enjoy the goodness and let the wild rumpus begin!
The Bird Sanctuary at Blackburn Park is a fantastic family field trip, and below is a brand new map not found in our book of adventure maps called “Urban Wild Adventures”. Put kids in duck boots, bring a snack and perhaps a toy sailboat. This is a fairly short and sweet adventure. An Official Map of Blackburn Park can be found here.
Blackburn Park is located in Webster Groves. Park at the parking lot on E. Jackson and look for the rainy day girl sculpture in the corner of the park. Follow the path uphill towards the entrance of the Bird Sanctuary.
Singing in the Rain
Bring a birding book or learn about Phoebe Snetsinger before you go, OR, keep things easy and read about birds at the entrance of the Bird Sanctuary. All paths lead downhill, so go right or go left, and come back either way to make a grand loop.
All paths lead downhill
This is a tiny adventure suitable for both toddlers and teenagers, so let them run downhill to discover darling spring and a calm little pool. If it’s raining the pool will be full. This is a great place to sail tiny sailboats made of leaves and sticks!
Magical Spring
Hop on the rocks and explore the spring, enjoy the pool and follow the creek. Wander around and explore…
If you have toddlers, save some energy for the return hike uphill to where you started at the entrance to the Bird Sanctuary. From here, if you have teens or bigger kids, you can cross the open soccer fields to explore the sink holes which are described in our book. The sink holes are exciting for kids, but don’t worry, nobody will sink or disappear inside of them…
All paths lead uphill
All parks are great in all weather and all seasons, but Green Spiral particularly likes the Bird Sanctuary for a spring splash, and we think the sinkholes are particularly nice for a fall “treasure hunt” (for nuts and such)…
Sanctuary for kids too!
ICYMI – Here’s our book called “Urban Wild Adventures” available on Amazon: ten family adventure maps expertly arranged to enjoy ten different parks over ten different months.
Green Spiral Tours
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