The Arch

Monday was arch day.  The Arch like Mount Rushmore was built to attract people.  In both cases it seemed to work. We had purchased tickets online so we had our day planned.

Arriving you go through security and then underneath the Arch to a Museum. At our appointed time we lined up for our tram to the top. The tram is really a funicular that has cars that rotate as the ascend to stay level.

Each tram has 8 cars and they fit 5 people. 5 small people.  The doors are like an elevator with inner and outer doors.  The inner ones are partially glass so you can see the inside of the arch as you ride up.  

When you get to the top, there is an observation area with slit windows allowing you to see the Missouri and Illinois sides.   After taking in the view and snapping some pictures, we lined up for the ride down.  Up takes 4 minutes but down is a quick 3. 

Contrast the Missouri side with the Illinois sides of the river.  This is all a factor of elevation.  St. Louis is on higher ground.  Even so they have a big wall to avoid some river flooding.  The other side is a flood plane so less city, more trees. 

We then left the arch and headed down to the Mississippi River where we boarded a tour boat for a quick cruise up and down the river.  After our cruise we headed back to the museum and watched a movie on the Arch construction.

We decided to kick back and chill for the late afternoon as we are on vacation.

I spent a good bit of time looking at the weather.  Michael was still on our minds but  the weather was good to get to Kentucky.  I had called ahead and confirmed that hangar space was available if needed so we were set.  We turned in early so that we could get a good start in the morning. We were flipping back from central to eastern time. 

Some extra arch pictures for your enjoyment.  It really is photogenic.