When we are back in Wyoming, western Wyoming that is, its important to be bear aware. Likewise when we are in a big city, and we are currently in St Louis, it pays to be aware of high crime areas. We are definitely in one of those places. Its not that we wanted to be as the purpose of our stopping here was to see the Gateway Arch and perhaps ride to the top.
So the first night after our arrival, Renita came to bed and told me there were sirens, lots of them, just up the street from the rv park. Going back to sleep, I watched the news the next morning and discovered that there had been a triple shooting just across the street from the park.
Wondering if the police would still be there, Molly and I walked to the intersection and found out that the shooting had been at a bar which is also across the street from the Central Division of the St Louis Police Department! Oh and we later discovered that the shooter had not been apprehended!
Still we wanted to see the Arch and we headed down to the riverfront where we hoped to find a spot large enough for our truck. There the parking attendant informed us that the riverfront parking lot was flooded due to the recent rains. Driving around we found a private lot where we could park and soon were walking across the arch parkway.
It was cold and blustery so the line for the security check was short. Hurrying to the ticket kiosk we were able to purchase a ride to the top, yeah! As we bought the tickets the agent asked us if we were claustrophobic, acrophobic, or prone to motion sickness? Replying in the negative we walked away only to find a single car display in which we would ride to the top. It sure looked small and I hoped it would be a quick trip.
Just before we loaded into the the car, its an eight car elevator that carries forty people, a supervisor came down and told the us and the others that something was wrong with the our elevator train and so we had to walk to the North tram. He also told us that the longest problem ever encountered caused the people to be trapped partway up for five hours of darkness.
Still we entered the car and were quickly at the peak of the Gateway Arch. There we found a window and peered down on the city. The baseball stadium was the main structure we recognized and Renita even spotted a helicopter flying below us.
Finishing our view of the sights, we waited in line for the next downward elevator and as we stood there I felt sideways movement. There were high winds and of course you guessed it the whole structure was moving sideways. The agent told us not to worry as it had been known to sway as much as eight feet during tornado alerts, (I didn't ask her about movements from earthquakes).
After entering the elevator train, it took us quickly back down the Arch way, (the trip up takes four minutes and the trip down three). Before leaving we took the time to view the historical displays of westward expansion and we highly recommend the attached museum.
Walking back to the truck we stopped directly below the middle and I told Renita that Devils Tower was the same height as the Arch. It helped me to further appreciate the size of the structure we had just been in. So if your in the area, this is one stop you need to make! Just don't forget to be aware of your surroundings. Its a lot safer to be in bear country! Clear skies
Nice post, we thought the arch was real neat. Travel safe.
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