9:25 A.M. We crossed the Mississippi River and the Missouri state line. It is an industrial area, a green metal bridge, ugly. and depressing. Everything around here for miles has been flooded not only from yesterday's rain, but the snow melting from further north and flowing down the Mississippi. We found the RV campground and it's nice- all concrete, no mud. The people are nice too. This site is located in downtown St. Louis about 1 mile from the Arch.
We found our way easily down to the Gateway Arch to the West quite easily. Either the town is efficiently laid out or the new Magellan makes it easy. The Arch is not golden, but silver colored metal, 630 ft tall and you can ride to the top to view St. Louis. We are surprised at its height! It's real name is the Jefferson National Westward Expansion Monument.
Spending the whole day here was easy. Below the Arch there was a museum with artifacts and history of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, the events leading up to that era and the historical events that occurred because of it; an hour movie about the Lewis and Clark Expedition in 1806 narrated by Jeff Bridges; a replica of a general store of the 1800's called LeveE Mercantile Store which was quite informative. Before we took the tram to the top of the Arch we watched a discovery movie that explains exactly how, where and why it was built. It encompasses Thomas Jefferson's policy of westward expansion of our country, is built on the spot where Lewis and Clark embarked on their journey, and it matches the wonder of the cantilever bridge which Eads built over the Mississippi River with its 3 arches. That was a marvel in its time and the bridge is still in service!
When it was time to take the tram we realized how very small the car was where we were to ride. Jimmy is claustophobic and this thing was quite tight to fit 5 people; literally a four foot square . So I went up by myself and took the pictures. It really wasn't as great as the Empire State Building. It led to a small hallway with tiny windows on both sides. No telescopes to see far away; nothing marking which way is north, south, east or west, no identifications of the buildings you are viewing. Pretty unimpressive. Jimmy didn't miss a thing. Check out the pictures.
We left and drove to Union Station which is the old train station refurbished in a downtown area somewhat like Jax Landing or the Inner Harbor with unique shops and restaurants. We ate at Houlihan's and it was delicious. Apparently when the railroads became important in the 1800's, St. Louis was at a loss because they were left out of the loop due to no railroad bridges over the Mississippi and the Indian Mounds were so numerous and high it was too costly. When they finally were able to acquire them, they really value them.
As we were driving around St. Louis we realized the Basketball Sweet Sixteen is being held here this weekend. That's why there are so many tourists; thought the town would be relatively empty in the cold weather. The Loop is an ecletic collection of restaurants, pubs, cafes, unique shops and nightclubs on Delmar Blvd. One is called "Blueberry Hill". Outside of town is Ulysees S. Grant's Farm which he actually farmed himself, but is now owned by the Busch Family. They house their 35 Clydesdales there along with other farm and zoo animals. We won't be able to visit there since it doesn't open until April 15th. But we learned in the museum the Sante Fe Trail starts at Independence, Missouri where we will be tomorrow. We are also stopping at the Truman house.
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