For the last 5 years, we have gathered a few friends to join us at Waffle House for a tasty Christmas Dinner. Despite our Northern Migration, the tradition continues. Today we packed up the dogs, a change of clothes and pointed the car toward St. Louis, Missouri.

303 miles later, we landed at a Waffle House (unit 1138 to be precise) and settled in for dinner. After noshing on a grilled cheese sandwich with tomato and an order of hashbrowns, scattered, diced and covered, the journey continued.

Next stop, the Ameristar riverboat casino for some holiday gaming. I was shocked to find the casino pack to the gills with holiday gamblers. The casino was in the Christmas spirit or I was on Santa’s Super Nice list. Not only did I get hours of entertainment, I walked away with presents from the roulette table.