My Dad and I made a short, but sweet stop in St. Louis. Due to lack of time, we only stopped for some top-notch BBQ and the Gateway Arch. This was a pity, since St. Louis appears to be one of the great cities in the U.S.
Driving in from the east, the awe-inspiring view of the Arch is visible for many miles. It's the perfect location, as Lewis and Clark set out into the unknown from here. Named after King Louis IV, the french settled here in the late 1700s, before the U.S. gained control with the Louisiana Purchase. At one time St. Louis was the fourth largest city in the U.S. and it hosted the 1904 Olympics. It's been in decline for most of the latter part of the 20th century, but parts of the city are making a comeback. Hopefully this will continue, as it has a great location and a wonderful and unique history for the U.S.
After stopping at Pappy's Smokehouse for some BBQ, my Dad and I picked up our tickets to take the tram to the top of the Arch. At 630 feet it's the highest monument in the world. It's also the tallest structure in St. Louis. The tram to the top is not for the claustrophobic. A pod fits five people, not so comfortably. It takes about 4 minutes to reach the top. It's built with a combination of steel and cement and it's able to withstand 160 mph winds with only a few inches of movement. It's an engineering marvel.
Once on top, the Arch provides commanding views of the city and the Mississippi River below. Busch Stadium, home of the Cardinals, is clearly visible. Carry up a pair of binoculars and one can watch the game.
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| Dad at the base |
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| A tight squeeze |
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| Busch Stadium |
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| The view south |
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| View north |
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| City Hall |
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| The great city of St. Louis |
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| Big D at the top |
It's a shame about the decline of St. Louis. As you said, the location is perfect. It's a city that still has so much potential. It could be such an amazing place.
ReplyDeleteI felt pretty uncomfortable when taking the subway there. Some bum started following me down the stairs to the train, so I made my way back up and waited for him to leave. Then there was a seen on the train. Cops boarded the train and arrested someone sitting just a few rows behind me. I was worried that there was going to be a shooting or some other very violent incident. After I got off the train, I waited at a bus stop. There was a pretty scary group of people waiting for the bus. All I kept thinking was how I wish I'd had a gun.
I also met some religious freaks there. By the arch, there are big cement steps that go down to the river. There was a guy standing on those steps holding a flag pole. His flag was not one I'd seen before. I walked over to him and asked him about the flag. He said that it was the flag of Jesus' army. He said that he was a leader in the army for JC. He wanted me to join the army. I passed.
The arch is amazing. I think it is one of the most amazing monuments in the world.