A Visit to the St. Louis Arch at Mardi Gras (2nd largest in nation)

The St. Louis Arch

Since I was already in St. Louis, I simply could not resist the opportunity to go up into the St. Louis Arch which depicts the Gateway to the West. In reality, Chicago became the real gateway to the west via the railroad but St. Louis claims the mantle nonetheless. I had always thought of the arch as a concrete structure over the Mississippi River. Wrong. This arch is one of the most beautiful stainless steel art forms ever created. It's earliest beginning started in 1947 as the arch was planned to attract visitors to the gateway city. Construction began in 1962 and the arch was completed in 1965 with no loss of life -- a period prior to OSHA. It is a marvel of construction as each piece is a triangular form- a sandwich if you will - of concrete, re-bar and stainless steel.

A good friend of mine in Colorado is an AKC judge and it is her sister who played host to me and accompanied me to the arch. We went up inside the arch to the top observation windows via a very tiny and claustrophobic tram. It was great fun.

The Arch

The Left Foot of the St. Louis Gateway Arch March 6th, 2011. Jefferson National Expansion Memorial administered by the National Park Service.

Elongated Arch

St. Louis Arch Portholes at top upper right. This is where you go if you choose to take the tram inside the arch to the top. Of course I did.

Gleaming Arch of Stainless Steel in the Sunday Sun.

Arch elongated extreme angle.

Arch portholes.

Old St. Louis Courthouse where the Dred Scott decision occured. A slave successfully sued for his freedom.

The Arch- Right Leg

The Arch in Winter - St. Louis, Missouri

Gleaming Arch

Gleaming Arch Extended in Sunday Sun

Angle Arch

Arch Pantomime

Deb Miller, my host in St. Louis

Meet Me in St. Louis

Introducing Grady.

Last week I left Colorado to go to St. Louis in order to transport a Blue Merle sheltie puppy to a friend and pick up a red sable puppy from the same friend. While in St. Louis my friend Linda G. went Best of Breed at the Purina Complex in Wentzville. I spent time with her dogs photographing them and advancing in Sheltie school. Linda has 38 years experience training, showing and breeding quality shelties. I always learn a lot about the breed everytime we meet.

In Wentzville, Missouri a collection of fine Sheltie babies. The bi-black belongs to a friend here in Colorado and the small blue merle puppy in the puppy pen is the dog I transported to Missouri.

At Sheltie Camp in Wentzville, Missouri - my new puppy Grady is seen here on the right.

Gidget goes to St. Louis. Gidget is the product of Linda's sire who is on loan in Colorado. Gidget is a gorgeous and sweet blue merle puppy. It was so hard for me to hand her to Linda as I absolutely love this little girl.

Playing with Gidget.

Fergie (left) Grady (right) playing in the sun in Colorado.

Grady, aka Raisin Raison d'etre

Another raisin in the sun. Grady in the late day sun of Colorado.

Grady, head shot. Red sable with soon to be mahagony overlay.

Linda G. at the Purina Complex showing Gabe to Best in Breed at the St. Louis cluster shows.

Linda G. with the cute, adorable Gidget in Wentzville, Missouri

Fergie Fetch-A Sheltie at Play

Fergie-a four and a half month old red sheltie is quickly adapting to Colorado after arriving

from Florida via Kentucky.

Fetching the little pink bunny. The all important litlle pink bunny was the toy handed to me when I received Fergie. It is her first play toy and her favorite.

Learning is easy when you are young. She sits when asked to sit, fetches and stays. She relieves herself outside or her puppy pen- nowhere else. Not bad for 4 1/2 months.

Not letting go of the pink bunny.. actually she does. She fetches her toy and drops it in front of the thrower.

Fergie knows to drop the toy in order to get someone to throw it for her. She brings it to your feet for consideration. Next up, agility training for coordination and flexibility.

Fergie's Blog Part 2- At Home In Colorado

With 7 inches of snow on the ground and single digit high temps you would think small sheltie pups would not like the snow. Not the case here.

Fergie the little snow dog in Colorado.

Face Off- Fergie thinks she is a cat and Merlin thinks he is a dog. They do play together but Merlin is laying down cat law.

Fergie in her puppy pen after cleaning and toy organizing. She is waiting to be fed. Guess who is the entertainment.

Fergie and the dirty sock. With frigid temps outside-that means creative puppy playing inside.

The Snow Dogs- Fergie and Destin

Fergie and Merlin Detente

I am so looking forward to Spring. If not Spring, then at least some warm and dry weather. Maybe Utah.

Fergies Blog- A Little Red Sable Sheltie from Kentucky- Raisin in the Sun

Fergie aka Raisin in the Sun

Fergie is the culmination of a lot of hard work-looking for an animal that has soundness. She is a Shetland Sheepdog from a strong line of sturdy little red dogs. I am pleased to have her in the family.

Fergie at Cape Canaveral National Seashore

Fergie and the Other Dog-Mirror, mirror on the wall.

Fergie and the fighting nemesis. Titusville, Florida

Fergies Kitchen in Colorado

Fergies Puppy Pen in Colorado

Fergie in Dade City shortly after leaving Brooksville Cluster Shows

Fergie in Dade City, Florida

Fergie in her coat. Freezing in Florida.

Fergie's Designer Duds-made in Florida by a vet assistant.

Fergie and friends in Florida.

Fergie Love-In

Fergie Lead Training