St. Louis, MO
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| In a pod with our new friends from Chicago! |
Gateway Arch National Park
Today we went to Gateway Arch National Park, the smallest National Park. Up until 2018 it was a National Monument but in 2018 it became a National Park. We went back in 2015 and they have done a lot of improvements to the museum and surrounding area but the arch is still the same old arch.
We went on a Tuesday afternoon so it was pretty dead. They were only running the North Tram Station to the top. Most of the groups got their own 5 person pod but we were combined with 3 friendly folks from Chicago. They were quite jovial and made the trip up and down fun.
Things have changed since we last visited. The grounds around the area are really pretty and construction is finished. The entry is impressive and the attached museum is extensive. Once we got there we paid the extra $4 each to see the movie and it was well worth it. They thoroughly documented the building of the arch and it really makes you appreciate it.
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| We took transit downtown and then walked and I took photos as we got closer |
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| Donna posed in the model of the pod |
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| Today we figured out that the St. Louis flag represents the 2 rivers that converge at the city. |
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| I got to dress up, at least I think I did. There was a bit of fabric and a boat I could get into so I dressed up as best I could. Not sure what the curator intended. |
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| Today Donna headed out on our Whistle Stop Tour. I am going to miss her. |
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| A monument to commemorate a monument |
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| We had our pick of seats in the movie. Seating started about 10 minutes before the movie started so they showed commercials for National Parks. |
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| A replica of the last piece, the key stone. |
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| We got lucky pod 7! |
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| As you ascend, you first travel to the right |
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| And then up |
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| and finally to the left as you reach the top |
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| The Tram stops just before the top so you have to climb a few stairs to reach the actual top |
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| Great views of The Baseball Stadium |
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| Not much is going on in East St. Louis, IL except a water treatment facility. |
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| It's me at the top! |
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| People come up here and all they want to do is look somewhere else. |
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| The Mighty Muddy Mississippi |
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| You can see the curvature in this shot. |
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| I am not one for stuff like The London Eye or other Ferris wheels but The Gateway Arch is really cool and getting up there and back down is half the fun. |
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| Donna pointed out the dog on the grass so I used my 4x optical zoom to make this cool photo. |
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| Oh look, it's Bargy McBarge Face! |
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| I was the only one that knew we were taking a selfie |
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| Time to return to Earth |
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| You can read about the Tram System here. |
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| Makes me want to play Halo again. |
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| You are allowed to touch the arch! |
That's it for today. If you haven't done The Arch make sure you do when you visit. Yes it is touristy but it is really cool. If you missed my post Chocolate Chocolate Chocolate and Tacos check it out. We had Chocolate and Tacos if you can't tell by the title.
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