St Charles City of

Okay, I'm one of "those" who just doesn't love the urban sprawl. St. Charles (or Chucks as I mockingly call it) is just that. Strip malls and cookie cutter houses. If I had to live like that I would stab myself repeatedly in the eye with a pencil, as well as the neighbour measuring my lawn to make sure it is up to code. But I'm not going to dwell on that. I will to dwell on the good bits. Like Old St. Charles. Downtown. The cobblestone streets, the old capital! I LOVE downtown St. Chuck! They have a great brewpub (trailhead), many adorable shops, and lots of bars. Picasso is a great coffee house. I would not die if I had to live in this old French Quarter district. On Saturday we saw a wedding, and they always have horse drawn carriages going up and down main street. My favourite tea place is just a few blocks away. The French Quarter is far away from surburbia. It brings out the culture and love in a community. And I would move there, if I didn't have to admit I lived in St. Chucks. Blah. more

One tends to become a tad bit jaded living their whole life in Chicago. You forget that not every place in the world is filled with...(fill in name of "big city life" problems here). On a recent trip to visit my old pal, City of St. Louis/Gateway Arch, I stayed in this lovely, welcoming little town. It's like a Norman Rockwell painting! The streets are lined with all NON MAN stores and restaurants, cobblestone roads and a beautiful park alongside the Missouri River. My personal faves were the sweet shops with the chocolate covered strawberries and yummy home made fudge. There was also a store that sold about a zillion bottles of hot sauce, and they even carried the Mike Ditka line (can't get away from him even in St. Louis) of BBQ sauce and mustard. I will definitely be returning to this small town charmer very soon more