The St. Louis story continues…

In a post by High Tide, I was told there are more participants of S&M in St. Louis than in any other city… Don’t know where the stat came from but it is an interesting note…

Matt and I were having a discussion last night about America and his concern that we are slipping into darkness – he spoke with a friend from Atlanta who is moving from that city because of the crime. But, I reminded him, look to New York City. Sure, there is still crime but the people cleaned up Union Station and Times Square (to a certain extent) so that it is once again a tourist destination. Yes, there are people shooting at rescuers in Louisiana but most people just want to be in a safe, dry place.

St. Louis is, in my opinion, a good example of the battle between the producers and the looters/moochers. The producers want the downtown area to thrive – shops, stores, businesses of all kinds, residential warehouses, etc… but the looters/moochers don’t want to lose control of the area. Across the nation, cities are reviving their downtown areas and reclaiming a vital part of our history and heritage. I hope St. Louis can do that – I would hate for LeCleede’s Landing and the area around the Arch & Courthouse to become too dangerous for ordinary citizens to walk the streets. Of course, those ordinary citizens should put their own trash in a trash container or, like we do in the mountains – bring it in? Pack it out… reminds me of the precepts in the "Broken Window Syndrome" Here is an address where you can find a brief explanation. http://www.sjvgreens.org/broken.shtml

We checked out of our hotel Tuesday morning but the staff graciously allowed us to leave our car parked in the secure garage while we visited the Arch. The morning was beautiful – a little hazy but not too humid. On the walk to the Arch, we'd catch glimpses - your eye is always drawn to it. But walking up to the Arch itself, we were amazed at the size. Each individual section is probably 6 feet tall. It would be very easy to take way too many pictures. I am certain the changing colors of the sky reflect on the Arch changing the way it looks throughout the day and with the changinging seasons. The shape and size are surprising even though I thought I knew what to expect. The man who designed it died before it was completed - such a pity. The Jefferson Westward Expansion Memorial is a wonderfully fitting tribute to the opening of the West.

To enter the Musuem, you have to go down one of two
ramps at the bases. Below are two large musuems, theatre, shops, and the tram to go to the top. I won't go into all the things to see there but it is well worth the time - and very educational. The trams that ascend to the observation deck are deep in the two bases. There is one tram going up each "leg". The cars are like pods - kind off egg shaped. As the car rises, the ratching system periodically turns the car so the passengers remain upright through the curve.

The curve you see in the pix of the deck is accurate - and the view is spectacular. In one shot, you can see the two bases of the Arch. You can see the new stadium being built along side the original one - the Cards will finish this season in the old one and then it will be torn down to complete the new stadium. So much progress and commerce... it is a good thing.

We did ride the riverboat and were able to see the city from the river - one building that looks like it is straight out of a Batman movie is the Union Power and light building. In fact, the first time we came through St. Louis, Matt asked me if that was where the Joker lived. He doctored the shot with Adobe and it looks wonderfully sinister... It was opened in 1904 specifically for the St. Louis World's Fair to provide steam-powered electricity and is still in use today providing power to downtown. The shot at the beginning of this post was taken from the riverboat - Matt took so many pixs of the Arch and didn't want them all to look the same. I must brag a bit, yes, I must, on Matt. He is so creative and has spent time just playing with Adobe. No formal training with the software but such talent. As a photographer, he 'sees' things a little differently - and is able to use the software to enhance the way scenes look to him.

After our time at the Arch, we went to the Soulard section of St. Louis. What a great neighborhood. Again that "two worlds" situation - lots of happily busy people eating lunch, taking care of their homes, enjoying the beautiful day. We ate at a restaurant called Norton's. A very eclectic menu - a good reflection of the city itself.

After lunch, we walked a few blocks to take photos of the area when a man, clearly altered, stumbles toward us. He has a brown paper bag he was rumaging through; he tossed the bag to the street in disgust, swore vehemently and stumbled toward a shelter. I thought he may be going there for food or rest but instead he went down the steps and urinated on the door. The contents of the discarded bag? Grapes. No judgement, just observation... I don't have enough information to make a judgement on his status but, as a visitor to the city, there were a few moments when we felt he could be somewhat dangerous.

Souldard isn't a touristy place - just a great neighhood reclaiming itself - people going about their lives... definately worth a stop to see the beautiful old homes and quirky bars and restaurants.

Enough for now, I hope you have enjoyed. We travelled Rt 66 from Springfield MO to Tulsa and stopped in Claremore, OK to see the Will Rogers Musuem. I'll write about that next time.