Today was all about The Arch. I found my way from the motel into the city without incident and found a parking lot that charged $1/hr. Walked towards the river so I could view and appreciate the mighty Mississippi - water level is very high and the water is very muddy! The water was over the banks and has flooded the lower roads - they had snow plows pushing back the water. That didn't make sense at first, but then I realized it pushes debris back into the river and limits the amount of mud that stays on the road once the water recedes. I went down the stairs and walked the sidewalk next to the flooded roadway and approached the Arch from there - an impressive site no matter which way you approach it. Alas the high water meant they weren't running the Riverboat Cruise, so that part of my plan had to be canceled. I headed down the ramp leading below the Arch shortly after I arrived, when the line was minimal. You have to go through security just like the airport. Once you are below the ground there is a museum (that I skipped), some shops for tourists, the the entrance to the trams that take you up to the top. There is a north tram and a south tram - they each have 8 little pods that hold 5 people, quite cozy. It's a 4 1/2 minute ride to the top of the Arch where there is an observation space with magnificent views to the east/Mississippi River/Illinois and the west/Missouri. Ride back down is 3 minutes, I think. Before they added the trams the only way to the top was to climb stairs ~ lots and lots of stairs!
When I got back outside I sat in the shade and enjoyed the beautiful day. It's Marine Week in st Louis and there was lots to see in the area. The line to go below the Arch was really long by then so I was glad I had gotten there early. Wandered around and took some more pix.
Headed back to the motel mid afternoon. Went and sat in the shade by the pool and read my book.
Early evening I headed back into the city. I wanted to get some pix of the Arch with different light. Ended up driving across the river to East St Louis (which is actually in Illinois) and got some pix from there. Hmmm... parking lot where I parked to take the pix just happened to be at the Casino Queen! So I went in to try my luck and of course had none. Still a good time and even better light with sun setting when I left.
Wonderful weather & wonderful day.
Here are the photos ~ The Arch.
So beautiful and peaceful! You would never know anything was amiss on the river.
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