Arch

We visited Gateway Arch national park in Saint Louis, Missouri today. The entrance is between the arch legs in that round building. We paid for the movie and the tram ride. If you are at all claustrophobic or afraid of heights, I suggest you do not see the movie before you take the tram ride. The movie was good but watching the construction process from 1962 to 1965 was nerve wracking. This arch was construction before OSHA. No one wore safety harnesses or hard hats. We had a beautiful sunny day to see the arch. A museum talks about the Saint Louis area from the 1700's to present time. Saint Louis has been in the hands of the native Americans, the Spanish,  and the French. Each ruler meant adjusting to new rules for the people in the town and the slaves in the town.

Here is the view to the west from the top of the arch. We rode up in a little room with seats for five people. The ride up took 4 minutes. The ride down takes 3 minutes. The tram rooms are self adjusting. As you ride down the curve of the arch, your tram adjusts to a flat angle before going down to the next level. 

That is Busch stadium for you Cardinal fans.

This is the view to the east. Illinois is across the river. I am really glad we decided to stop and visit this arch on our trip.