Missouri

Part I:  St. Louis, Missouri

I, Tom Wible, have a deep understanding of specific areas of St. Louis, Missouri.  I have become familiar with various parts of the city through many years of family visits.

The Wible family in Ohio has visited St. Louis almost every year from 1987 until approximately 2018.    These visits gave me a strong familiarity with the city, its neighborhoods, landmarks, and overall character. 

St. Louis has remained an important place in our family history, particularly because of my brother's move there from Cleveland, Ohio, at around year 1987.

One Caveat:  I do not know the entire metropolitan area of St. Louis, completely.  I'm not all-knowing.

Meanwhile, today in year 2026, parts of my St. Louis knowledge are becoming "misty memories."    For example, one suburb I know the name of is "Creve Coeur."   Long ago, I remember driving past. Maybe we stopped there when my brother was showing us around.  Anyhow, I remember the unusual name "Creve Coeur" and I remember thinking, "Ahhh—the French!"    That being said, I could not place the suburb on a map without a Google search, however, those misty memories of the place remain.    

Like other cities in America, every year St. Louis seems to grow.   I think there is a new casino and there are updates to existing places.    Companies get acquired.  Companies get bought and sold.   

The town of St. Louis is huge.    It's a vibrant town with so much going on.   Most always fun to visit — unless the occasion is a funeral.   (Me being "Debbie Downer" first instance.)

 In conclusion, I only know specific areas, and specific suburbs of St. Louis.   Plus, I know the routes to get from Cleveland to St. Louis.   Spoiler alert:  When driving to St. Louis from Cleveland, decide if you want to cross the Mississippi within the city, itself.   Why? Because an alternate route exists whereby you can proceed further south to avoid the city traffic.   I just Googled it.  The road is "I-255 past the town of Dupo."   With this alternate route, you simply drive south and downstream before you cross the river.    If you can imagine, you will cross the Mississippi on a very wide bridge.  A bridge that is way out in the countryside.   Think,  "less city traffic."

In conclusion, if and when I meet someone from St. Louis, then we will   talk and talk   about the city.    "What about this place?"  and "Have you even been to...."

It warms my heart to think about the good times, there.   

And without being a "Debbie Downer," (second instance) such conversations remind me to try to live, each living day, to its fullest.  Why? Because it doesn't go on forever — for any of us.   In other words, go live your life, right now.

I do plan to visit St. Louis again in the future.   It's a long way from Cleveland, however, it's a wonderful city.    One that I have loved visiting.   I'll go back sometime.     We will all try to pick up from where we left off, following our last visit.