Dear My Gorgeous Pretties,

When you’re younger you think life at a certain age is gonna look a lot different than it is by the time you get to that age. The same way, when you’re younger, you think a certain age is “old” and then you get to that age and you’re like damn, I’m literally still young asf.

When I was younger I spent a decent amount of time around older people. Not my parents age old but like, the elders if you will. Perhaps that’s why I’ve always had an old soul. That carried over into my adulthood, always seeking out the elderly, not to feel younger, but to always keep things in perspective. If we’re lucky enough to reach 70, 80, and beyond, you will look back on the age you are now and be like, “I was still a child.” I think I’ve told you this before but in Islam you actually aren’t said to be an adult until you reach the age of 40, so technically I’m still in my infancy of adulthood.

I was excited to come to St Louis. I was only here once prior, around 7 or 8. This is where DaHdee was born and spent his formative years before making the great migration up north like so many African American families. We weren’t raised with this part of my family so I was keen to meet people I never met before, explore the city that raised my father and learn more about his family lore from his older sister.

I’ll save all the hot goss for the book, but what I will delight you with, My Gorgeous Pretties, is just how artsy, electric, and trendsetting St. Louis is, which kinda makes a lot of sense when I think back to all my memories of my Gramma Myrtle, Dad’s mom.

And even my dad too. He’ll tell you himself, “Denzel took ma spot!” (No shade, Unc) because 1) he was always quite the character and 2) he always wanted to pursue acting, pero, life. So I’m glad I got to be here to experience this beautiful & rich city, and even more happy to share with you a glimpse of the past through the eyes of the future.

What better place to start, then the Gateway Arch.

My only memory of St. Louis from my childhood is riding in the Arch. In fact the memory is seared into my brain because I thought it was so cool and so terrifying at the same time. It’s basically an elevator ride all the way to the top, but when it’s really windy, your carriage if you will, is blowing right along with it! Now add that to the fact that your only view from inside the contraption is literally the steely mechanical inside of the arch so I remember rocking back and forth like crazy and looking out the window to the 1076 stairs to the bottom thinking…the worst. Haha but we made it! And clearly I wasn’t too scarred by it because it was literally the first thing I wanted to do when I got to town. But then again, I’ve always been a bit of a daredevil. “Take me to the tippy!”

While the actual ride itself is only a short trip, they do a really great job of making it a whole experience by having a mini presentation and photo op while you wait for your tram to arrive.

Then when you move into the next area to load in to the tram, they have another presentation of fun facts projected onto the tram/elevator doors, making it a very interactive and informative experience the entire wait.

I shared a car with this cute little family that was traveling cross-country. All of their first time in St. Louis, just passing through. The little boy was about the same age I was when I took a ride for the first time. Same sense of curiosity and wonder. But isn’t that all children?

4 minutes and 630 ft. later, we reached the top.

*A view from the tippy at the River Missouri*

*Tight squeeze to get in views from both sides*

North needs South.

East needs West.

And no needs:

Yes.

Yes. YES!

You only have about 8 minutes at the top to get in all your flicks, so it’s a short trip, but definitely worth doing if you’re up for a unique adventure.

But the fun doesn’t stop there.

Before or after your ride to the top, you can tour the Visitor Center which houses a truly beautiful and iconic museum charting the history of St. Louis from the indigenous who were here from the beginning, to those that came after to stake to stake their claim.

A gift shop with a plethora of merch to commemorate your experience

And the Arch Cafe rounds out the visit with some quick and delicious bites to satiate your appetite after all that exploring.

*The Bavarian Pretzel was devoured in T-10 seconds so no pic. Sorry 🤷🏾‍♀️*

I would plan to spend a significant amount of time here. Not only is the museum rich with history and information, it is a visually stunning body of work. (This wasn’t here when I came to visit as a kid) I actually came back a couple times because there is so much to take in. It is free to visit. The ride to the top is gonna cost ya though, but doesn't it always? Delight yourself with some sights of St. Louis, and be sure to tell em, tha Queen sent ya.

The annual Festival of Nations took place the same weekend of my Arch escapades. We love a good food fest, don’t we, My Sweets? Taking place at Tower Grove Park, a lush 200+ acre greenery in the Southside of the city, the festival hosted over a hundred vendors from about 80 different countries from around the globe. More than food, the festival showcased performers, fashion, arts, and crafts. It was hot outside, but I had a blast.

While now would be the perfect time to highlight the Delectable Dish of the Week from this event, unfortunately the offerings I had from 3 separate vendors were sub par, and left me *high key* disappointed. This platform is not to throw shade so I will not mention the names. Instead we are going to crown the Quintessential Cuppuh Cawfee Award to Iconika Coffee & Cigars.

Now I only tried the coffee, but it was the perfect pick-me-up for a full day of festival wanderings around the park. My dawgs were barking after all that walking! I think today is the grand opening of their storefront location so congratulations to the family owned & operated business! Icoooonic.

The massive park is also home to the St. Louis Botanical Garden which is one of the sites I regretfully didn’t get a chance to make it back down to. The grounds were gorgeous though, so if you’re in the area, definitely give it a go.

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I decided to come here, but I’ve been pleasantly surprised and delighted.

St. Louis has a ton to offer for those in search of an unlikely adventure. Unfortunately I can’t cover all of them in one, so buckle up, Buttercups, cuz we’ve only just begun! I’m glad to be back with you. Though I’ve been away, I’m never far in spirit. My pretty little haHt is always with you. Btw, did I tell you how proud of you I am. You are an icon, and you are the moment, forevvuhhh. And I’m obsessed. In a healthy way! Keep shinin’ on em.

Well, that’s it & that’s all she wrote this week. I do apologize for the day delay. I’m off to even greener pastures, out of the country, traveling. But no excuses. I’ll see you back to our regularly scheduled programming next week. Whoever you are, wherever you may be, you could be anywhere in the world, but here you are with me. And I love that for you. And I love that for me. Have a gorgeous rest of your week. Stay blessed out there. And of course, God speed.

Love Always (& besitos!),

Thanking the Good Lord fa ya

Meet Me In St. Louis

THE CONFLUENCE