Last week we went on a mini vacation. Jared & I dropped Cooper off at my parents then started our vacation by attending the Dark Star Orchestra concert at the Pageant in St. Louis. Most of you reading this probably have never heard of DSO, but let me assure you they are great! The band recreates Grateful Dead concerts, song for song, live on stage. The best part is, is that you never know which show you’re listening to until the end of the show. For instance, at the end of this concert they said, “you’ve been listening to the sounds of the Grateful Dead live at Fox Theatre in Atlanta, GA on May 18, 1977″. Of course nothing is like listening to the real Dead but this is pretty darn close. I love going to see DSO because there are people there from all walks of life. I saw a lady who was at least 80 years old, walking with a cane. She even had a little pin on her shirt that said, “I *heart* Jerry Garcia”. You see old folks, teenagers, hippies, yuppies, bikers and all sorts of in betweens. Everyone has a good time and the Pageant is my most favorite local place to see a show (but for the record I do not like the $5.00 bottles of beer. It makes the night very expensive).
Jared & I during intermission
Dark Star Orchestra
Hot Nuts!
The day after the show we picked up Cooper and headed south to Murphysboro, IL to visit a friend I’ve had since my high school days. He and his wife recently had a baby girl not only was I anxious to meet her, but for them to finally meet Cooper and to spend some time in Southern Illinois. Jared and I both attended SIUC and dream of someday moving back. As we drove down the familiar streets we couldn’t help but reminisce all of the old places that we had partied at and of the good times we had. We both agree that we should have never left. It’s just a great area.
Friday night we got to eat at our favorite pizza joint, Quatro’s Pizza, then our favorite little café, Hargbaugh’s Café for breakfast on Saturday.
Cooper enjoying Harbaugh's Café for the first time
Before we left town we couldn’t resist and just had to place another order for a pizza to bring home. It is that good. While waiting on our Quatro’s Challenge, we drove around all of our old favorite spots and I was able to snap a few pictures:
And the truth shall set us free
Our college house
Our alma mater
We also stopped to get some new SIU swag. Since I’m having Cooper’s 2 year photograph taken next week I thought what a perfect time for him to be sporting his Saluki pride!
After picking up the pizza we made the two hour drive up Rt. 127 all the way back to Hillsboro. We sunk our teeth into more Quatro’s pizza and decided it was the best mini vacation we’d had in a long time!
