Shopping for Anchors & Trousers, and a Visit to the Curiosity Museum

Saturday, August 31 2019
Day 22 on the Loop – Alton, IL (0 miles)

 After a late start I drove to the West Marine in St. Charles to pick up some lines for the two additional round fenders I had purchased after experiences in the locks taught me that I needed more protection for Sunny Tug!   

 While I was there I also picked up a smaller anchor that I am going to try as a stern anchor, when one of those is called for when anchoring out.   The shopping center was great in that a Bass Pro Shop was just opposite West Marine and there was a Duluth Trading across the way, and a Firemans' Sub shop for lunch!   

 I had a $25 gift certificate to Bass Pro Shop and used that to help buy three shirts, which I will need for my upcoming trip to Britain.  Funny to think that "dressing up" now consists of putting on a button up shirt.   I have also ordered some slacks and black shoes online to complete the outfits.
I drove back and parked the car at Alton and then walked to The Curiosity Museum.  It is indeed a curious place.  It was formerly known as the Historic Museum of Torture Devices, which gives you an idea of focus of this.  It is listed as number 4 on TripAdvisors' list of things to do in Alton.  It is only open on weekend afternoons and an older lady, Janet, collects the admission fee of $6 (cash only).

I'll spare you the torture devices, but will say that it does have quite a collection.   Quite horrific if you allow yourself to think of the pain these devices inflict.    Here are some of the other bits and pieces that were on display.

Always wondered what was in a vampire killing kit.  


Can I nudge that result just a little bit?  ;)


To recoup from all of that I stopped by The Alton General Store.   The store is in a building built in 1904 and contains wood from a structure used in the German pavilion at the St. Louis World Fair of that year.    There were Quaker "Hearts and Hands" motifs and the words "The Quaker Shop" above the door.  I'm not really clear how all of those tie together, but it is a nice building.

1904 Alton General Store


Wood said to be from Bavaria, carved for a building at the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair

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