Sunday, May 10, 2026

25 April 2026 Miami: Off To The Miracle Mile



We hopped in the car and drove to Tony's house where we dropped off the rental car.  We shuttled some bags onto his porch to make our loads lighter on the next leg of our adventure.  Tony was off floating and we dropped the bags and hopped into an Uber.  We were flying American Airlines and we got to use the almost deserted C concourse.  Even with the Vex Robot teams heading home, there were many gates that seemed to have been unused for some time.  We saw a fun "kids zone" with planes, security X-ray machines, and the whole nine yards.  The flight was not direct so we first flew to Charlotte, waited an hour or two and then flew into Miami.  We went right to the Extended Stay America.  For its location close to the Miracle Mile, this place bordered on poor.  Although it was clean, it was two stars at best and it seemed to be a place for transient folks to group together and share a room.  No problem, we checked in and did not leave until the sun was up on Sunday morning.



Vex machines


Little luggage cars


Kiddie X-ray


The plane is sadly not aerodynamic


Here is where all the kids have to line up to get into the play area


$16.00 M&M  


We are not leaving our less than ideal hotel room



 It has been 3 years and 320 days since we began our Migration

24 April 2026 Hermann: It is Party Time!


The party was at Matt's house and there was quite a turnout!  Folks that we had not seen on over 30 years came from various places.  Kansas City, St. Charles, St  Louis and St. Peters were just a selection of folks who came out to join the Hermann folk for a story swapping, bratwurst eating, beer swilling, wine sipping, tiny stick burning good old time!     



First to the store for some wine and potato salad.  driving up the hill we saw a turtle


TTT has arrived


The river traffic is quite robust


Lifebird!  Red headed woodpecker


My fancy new Missouri quarter ring


Elaine is in the house 


Miss Polly is in the shot


Phredddy!


Turn on the music


Big A!


Cuckkie!


Old pictures


Beads!!!


Edgar


Norm


Bald eagle


Such a fine sunny day


Jeni and Lisa


The eagle has not landed


Jeni


Time to burn


Alan in from Nebraska


Grand fun!



 It has been 3 years and 319 days since we began our Migration

23 April 2026 Hermann: Driving the Hermann Circuit and Dinner at Vintage

 


We drove all around town on a ride down memory lane.  Several sections of town had changed dramatically and other places I had forgotten about entirely.  We curised for an hour or more talking about the changes and about the things that stayed the same.  We had reservations at the Vintage 1847 restaurant and headed up for dinner.  We shared wine and tasty German food.  We drove around a bit more and then headed to the AirBnB to meet up with Tom.


Trains downhill by the river


The gate to Hermann Farms


Great iron sigh


The Concert Hall bar


The building that my first apartment was located in


Down by the river


The Tin  Mill Brewery


Brew up a beer


Down by the old mill


Another distillery


The main Hermannhoff building


A log cabin located where the old Derby was


Mill stones


Heading up to Stone Hill


A big vineyard


Just starting to put out leaves


Up on the hill


Looking down on the town


We are hungry 


A Schnickelfritz beer


A bottle of rose to share


Sitting in our horse stall


Three goodies, sausage, saur braten and a half schnitzel 


Leslie for a fresh trout


Matt got the whole schnitzel 


The swinging bridge is no longer


Tiny houses


Huge houses


Elaborate


Simple structures


Fancy painted houses and back to our AirBnB


More flowers!



 It has been 3 years and 318 days since we began our Migration