A Short Trip To St Louis and a Few Places In Between

[Judy in Texas 150]

Day Three – we had 10:30 reservations to go up in The Arch and then 1:30 reservations for a Mississippi River boat cruise so we checked out of the hotel and headed toward the river.   We found The Arch and the parking garage without incident.  When walking toward The Arch, it was difficult to see it because of all the trees.  All the sudden there it was:

 

 

This is about as artsy as I get. 

 

 

See those little windows way up there?  That’s where we will be during the tour. 

 

 

It’s too bad people scratch graffiti into the metal. 

 

 

Again, we were early (there is a pattern here) so we walked across the street to the Old Courthouse.

 

 

The courthouse was completed in 1828.  From the National Park Service brochure:

 

“One of the most important cases in the American court system began in St. Louis’ Old Court House in 1846, when a slave family initiated a lawsuit for their freedom.  Dred and Harriet Scot’s lawsuit was not considered newsworthy at the time, however, this case ultimately reached the United States Supreme Court where the Dred Scott Decision in 1857 pushed the nation into the bloody Civil War.”

 

The Dred and Harriet Scott statue in from of the courthouse.

 

 

 

The architecture is grand.  I love this staircase.

 

 

 

The rotunda.

 

 

 

Looking down from one of the rotunda balconies.

 

]

 

A museum celebrating early St Louis. 

 

 

 

 

 

Note the apothecary jar labeled Leeches.

 

 

Reflecting in the modern building next door. 

 

 

A view of The Arch from the steps of the courthouse.

 

 

It was time to start back to The Arch. 

[Beckers 1,136]

That courthouse is stunning!!

[alexwyattmommy 181]

For a self professed not artsy person, you took some really great shots.

[CCIntrigue...aka Gwen 547]

That courthouse is stunning!!

 

 

For a self professed not artsy person, you took some really great shots.

 

I agree with both!  Great shots!

[Tri-Circle-D 2,059]

I agree- great photos!

 

Old buildings like that courthouse amaze me.  Just imagine the planning and effort it would take to build something like that without the technology and equipment that we have today.  It's amazing that these structures still stand today.

 

I am looking forward to hearing about what it's like inside the arch.

 

TCD

[caveat lector 181]

I can't wait to hear your assessment of the tram ride to the top of the arch. It's quite an experience.

Outstanding pictures!

[Big Kahuna aka John 71]

Awesome Courthouse Photos !    I can't wait to see the inside of the arch.   I had no idea that there were windows and the ability to go inside.

[Judy in Texas 150]

I can't wait to hear your assessment of the tram ride to the top of the arch. It's quite an experience.

Outstanding pictures!

 

Quite an experience you say. :rofl3:  :rofl2:

It's not for the faint of heart, that's for sure. 

 

I tried posting the section about The Arch last night but it disappeared when I hit enter.  :banghead:

Fortunately I've been writing it in Word so I'll get it posted tonight. 

 

The Courthouse was stunning, except for the hoards of school kids there on field trips.  Do you know if you stand in the rotunda, put your arms out while you turn circles and scream, that your voice echos?  Parents and teachers just stood there chatting amongst themselves and did nothing.   No reverence for the surroundings or thoughts that their little "angels" might be disrupting people who were there to actually enjoy the building and displays. The girl looked to be 15-16.  Old enough to know better. 

  :soapbox:

[caveat lector 181]

Yep. It's an educational experience for all area school kids to learn about the court house. Unfortunately, poor manners are often on display. Hope it didn't wreck your day too bad.

[Judy in Texas 150]

Yep. It's an educational experience for all area school kids to learn about the court house. Unfortunately, poor manners are often on display. Hope it didn't wreck your day too bad.

 

It didn't wreck my day.  It reminded me that I was young once.

 

This is the third time I've tried to post The Arch section.  Hopefully the third time is a charm.

 

 

I soon found that The Arch is only a small piece of the National Park known as The Jefferson National Expansion Memorial. 

 

“…The Gateway Arch reflects St. Louis' role in the Westward Expansion of the United States during the nineteenth century. The park is a memorial to Thomas Jefferson's role in opening the West, to the pioneers who helped shape its history, and to Dred Scott who sued for his freedom in the Old Courthouse...”

 

The exhibits and entry areas for the trams are under The Arch.  I had no idea. 

 

 

There is a theater showing a movie about the Louis and Clark Expedition.

 

 

The exhibits are in chronological order.

 

 

 

 

 

Please pay attention to the words in this picture.

 

 

 

It was time for our tour.  We went down one more level into the “holding area” where there are exhibits about the building of The Arch.

 

 

Then it was down yet another level to the trams. 

This is a horrible picture of me but it shows how big the doors into the tram pods are (or aren’t!).

 

 

We were told not to take pictures once the doors opened and while we were in the pods.  I found these two pictures online.

 

 

We didn’t get to see the backs of the pods.

 

 

From the National Park Service website.

 

“Riding the tram to the top of the Arch is like stepping into the future as it was envisioned in the 1960's. Each of the 16 tram cars, or "pods", holds five seated persons. While taking the 4-minute journey to the top riders may look out a small window for a view of the Arch interior. Once at the top visitors may stay as long as they like in the observation area, which features 16 windows looking east over the Mississippi River and the Illinois communities and countryside, and 16 windows looking west over the city of St. Louis. Finally, a combination of the elevator principle and the Ferris wheel principle was developed into a train of capsules, and Bowser had his solution:

         • Eight small capsules, used in each of the two Arch trains.

         • Each train capsule has a 5-foot diameter barrel that is open on the front and closed on the back.

         • There are five seats in each barrel, so the weight of the passengers helps keep the capsule in an upright position.”

 

Note that it says the pods (capsules) are 5 feet in diameter and hold 5 people.  The first thing I did when I sat down was bang my head on the side.  We couldn’t sit straight up. 

 

We had 5 full sized adults in ours on the way up and four on the way down.

 

If you are the least bit claustrophobic, the ride to the top is not for you. 

 

The top of The Arch isn’t very big. 

 

Size of Observation Room

7' 2" x 65' x 6' 9" high (2.18m x 19.8m x 2.06m)

 

…and the windows aren’t very tall.

 

Size of Windows

Approx. 7" x 27" (180 mm x 690 mm)

 

 

The windows line each side and have carpeted ledges so you can lean on them to have a peak out.  That means the inside view is of butts... lots of butts.

 

 

The Old Courthouse:

 

 

Cardinals Stadium:

 

 

I tried to get a picture of the St Louis Rams stadium but the camera focused on the window.  It’s that white thing in the middle right of the picture.   

 

 

The Mississippi River.  We are going on a boat cruise later.  You can see the boats at the dock in this picture.

 

 

We didn’t stay up there long.  I thought there was something unsettling about it. 

 

We were in car 3 on the way down.  Here we were walking down the steps to our car.

 

 

Here we are back at the bottom looking back at the next group of people heading up.

 

 

This is an example of the tram car in the main lobby so people can take pictures. 

 

 

We stopped at the Mercantile next to the gift shop:

 

 

 

 

 

Next up, lunch.  Anyone (except the “Show Me” folks) heard of Provel cheese?

[Beckers 1,136]

Omg! There is no way I could go in the pod.

[CCIntrigue...aka Gwen 547]

Me neither!

[DaveInTN 3,247]

I wanted to go up there a couple years ago but we figured it would be too much of a hassle with the kids in those pods. I am thinking we were right.

So how come no views of East St Louis?

I am waiting to hear about the provel cheese.

[Tri-Circle-D 2,059]

 

 

 

From the National Park Service website.

 

“Riding the tram to the top of the Arch is like stepping into the future as it was envisioned in the 1960's. Each of the 16 tram cars, or "pods", holds five seated persons. While taking the 4-minute journey to the top riders may look out a small window for a view of the Arch interior. Once at the top visitors may stay as long as they like in the observation area, which features 16 windows looking east over the Mississippi River and the Illinois communities and countryside, and 16 windows looking west over the city of St. Louis. Finally, a combination of the elevator principle and the Ferris wheel principle was developed into a train of capsules, and Bowser had his solution:

         • Eight small capsules, used in each of the two Arch trains.

         • Each train capsule has a 5-foot diameter barrel that is open on the front and closed on the back.

         • There are five seats in each barrel, so the weight of the passengers helps keep the capsule in an upright position.”

 

 

 

What are the people from the National Park Service smoking?

 

Cramming into a 5 foot diameter barrel is a vision of the future as seen from the '60's?

 

What?

 

Did these people never see the Jetsons?

 

That was my vision of the future in the '60's.  And I'm still waiting for my stinking flying car and robot.

 

I had no idea that is how folks got to the top of the arch.  I think I could do it, but I know I wouldn't like it.

 

TCD

[Judy in Texas 150]

I wanted to go up there a couple years ago but we figured it would be too much of a hassle with the kids in those pods. I am thinking we were right.So how come no views of East St Louis?I am waiting to hear about the provel cheese.

I assume you have been through East St Louis.

For those who haven't been - per Wikipedia... "The city, now small in terms of population, has drastic urban blight. Sections of "urban prairie" can be found where vacant buildings have been torn down and whole blocks have become overgrown with vegetation. Much of the territory surrounding the city remains undeveloped, bypassed by developers who chose more affluent suburban areas. Many old "inner city" neighborhoods abut large swaths of corn and soybean fields or otherwise vacant land. In addition to agricultural uses, a number of truck stops, strip clubs, and semi-rural businesses surround blighted areas in the city."

It can't be easy getting flooded every few years.

Here is a picture I found online.

If you are wondering what happened to the casino boats, they are gone.

[alexwyattmommy 181]

Lots of butts, that made me laugh out loud. :D

 

What a cool experience.  I really need to plan a trip out towards the West for next summer.  This looks like a good place to include.

[Judy in Texas 150]

What are the people from the National Park Service smoking?

 

Cramming into a 5 foot diameter barrel is a vision of the future as seen from the '60's?

 

What?

 

Did these people never see the Jetsons?

 

That was my vision of the future in the '60's.  And I'm still waiting for my stinking flying car and robot.

 

I had no idea that is how folks got to the top of the arch.  I think I could do it, but I know I wouldn't like it.

 

TCD

 

It wasn't too awfully bad as long you can remain positive that everything will be OK.  The worst part for me was banging my head when I sat down.  If the trip had taken much longer, one of the guys in our pod may have had issues.  He looked very nervous. 

 

I can see it being very easy to be positive that it's not going to be OK, it's going to get stuck, I'm going to sufficate, I'm going to get sick.  The pods "wratchet" a bit as they go around the curve.  It's not a completely smooth trip, 

 

There are a number of stories online about people who had less than stellar experiences. 

 

I would do it again but I'd try to pick a time when it's less crowded.  The top felt like a can of sardines. 

 

PS:  The pods have a little window in the door that look out at the inner workings of The Arch.  There are steps all along the way.  I wonder if they let people walk down if they don't think they can do the trip down in the pod? 

[Beckers 1,136]

Was there some air blowing on you? Can you imagine of you were in there with a stinky person or 2?

[Judy in Texas 150]

Was there some air blowing on you? Can you imagine of you were in there with a stinky person or 2?

I don't remember there being any sort of fan. Fortunately we didn't have any people with questionable hygiene in our pod. You are grouped at your pod door for a few minutes before loading. See who you are going up with. There is room to leave if you you want to pass on this trip. You might have to wait a bit to get assigned to another trip up, though. You are assigned to a specific pod before you go down to the loading area.

[Tri-Circle-D 2,059]

It wasn't too awfully bad as long you can remain positive that everything will be OK.  The worst part for me was banging my head when I sat down.  If the trip had taken much longer, one of the guys in our pod may have had issues.  He looked very nervous. 

 

I can see it being very easy to be positive that it's not going to be OK, it's going to get stuck, I'm going to sufficate, I'm going to get sick.  The pods "wratchet" a bit as they go around the curve.  It's not a completely smooth trip, 

 

There are a number of stories online about people who had less than stellar experiences. 

 

I would do it again but I'd try to pick a time when it's less crowded.  The top felt like a can of sardines. 

 

PS:  The pods have a little window in the door that look out at the inner workings of The Arch.  There are steps all along the way.  I wonder if they let people walk down if they don't think they can do the trip down in the pod? 

 

You make it sound so appealing!  Not!  My big concern would be who was in my pod.  I think I would be OK, but I would not want some nervous person in there with me.

 

Still, I would love to visit there.  I love hearing about the Louis and Clark Expedition, and would love to see the displays about Dred Scott.  It is incomprehensible that the US Supreme Court issued such a decision.  And think about the fallout.

 

TCD

[caveat lector 181]

Useless trivia alert: they built the arch starting on each leg with hopes of meeting in the middle. Kind of like adding the keystone as the final piece. However, they didn't plan for the intense heat when it was time for the keystone which caused the gap to be off from their calculations. They had to use giant water hoses to cool off each leg to make things fit. I bet one of our engineering fiends can explain the expansion / contraction of metals related heat better than I, but you get the picture.

Sorry for the hijack. Back to Judy's awesome TR!

[ajcjmom 8]

DH is from Southern Illinois, about 1 hour south of St. Louis.

 

Just after high school he worked in East St. Louis.

 

One day he went to the corner market to get lunch, market was closed because of a dead body.

Somebody got shot and they were still there doing the investigation. I don't think he ate lunch that day!

 

 

He has also been up the arch. He says it sways a lot. I said next time we go to St. Louis, I am not going up!

[Judy in Texas 150]

Useless trivia alert: they built the arch starting on each leg with hopes of meeting in the middle. Kind of like adding the keystone as the final piece. However, they didn't plan for the intense heat when it was time for the keystone which caused the gap to be off from their calculations. They had to use giant water hoses to cool off each leg to make things fit. I bet one of our engineering fiends can explain the expansion / contraction of metals related heat better than I, but you get the picture.

Sorry for the hijack. Back to Judy's awesome TR!

Another piece of trivia from the National Parks Service website:

"Why are the windows so small?

Over 500 tons of pressure was used to jack the legs of the Arch apart for the last four-foot piece to be inserted at the top. A larger window would not withstand that pressure."

Add the heat to the equation and that's quite an effort to get the last section in place.

DH is from Southern Illinois, about 1 hour south of St. Louis.

Just after high school he worked in East St. Louis.

One day he went to the corner market to get lunch, market was closed because of a dead body.

Somebody got shot and they were still there doing the investigation. I don't think he ate lunch that day!

He has also been up the arch. He says it sways a lot. I said next time we go to St. Louis, I am not going up!

It must have been windy the day your husband went up. It was calm the day we went up. I didn't feel any swaying.

Also from the National Park Service website:

"Is the Arch moving?

The Arch is designed to sway as much as 18 inches, and can withstand an earthquake, however under normal conditions the Arch does not sway. It takes a 50-mile an hour wind to move the top 1 1/2 inches each side of center."

[DaveInTN 3,247]

My brother used to live in O'Fallon, IL, and we would travel through East St Louis to get into the city to do things.  Reminds me of certain sections of Detroit.  Ok, by certain sections, I mean pretty much all of Detroit.  I would not want to break down at night.  Or at 11am. 

[CCIntrigue...aka Gwen 547]

I equate going up in that pod with being in an MRI tube with 5 people.  Nope, don't wanna do that.