This Arch ain't McDonalds

This Arch ain't McDonalds St. Louis, MO

St. Louis, MO On our drive back to Saint Charles from Belleville, IL we could see the Arch towering about the St Louis skyline. Our eyes were affixed to it as were we drove closer and closer. You know, the iconic “Arch”… Like many landmarks across this great country, when you see it from afar, up close, or from inside, it is truly and amazing experience. The Cardinals are having a game this evening so finding a parking place for our big truck is a challenge. As luck would have it we were able to park at the Basilica next to the ARCH. The Gateway Arch was built as a monument to the westward expansion. There is new construction around the Arch creating a new park along the banks of the river. When they get the area done it will be a beautiful place to enjoy. We got our tickets in a jiffy, and while we waited, here some history: construction started in 1960, in 1963, the first steel triangle on the south leg was eased into place. These steel triangles, which narrowed as they spiraled to the top, were raised into place by a group of cranes and derricks. The arch was assembled of 142 12-foot-long prefabricated stainless steel sections and built in the form of an inverted, weighted catenary arch.
It is the world’s tallest arch, and the tallest man-made monument in the Western Hemisphere. There is a tram in each “leg” of the arch, plus an 1,076-step emergency stairs in each leg.. That is comforting… We only had a 15 minute wait as there were not that many people there at 3 pm. We proceeded to the “train” to the top. OK, well not a train, but, at this point we had no idea what it looks like. We had been forewarned that you ride in a pod to the top of the Arch but we saw no pod.
They assigned us to door #2 of 8 doors, and we waited in front of this short gray door, waiting for it to slide open. So we deduce, there are eight pods (somewhere behind the gray wall of doors) that are connected together to make the four minute trip to the top of the arch.

Over the years I have gotten better with heights. Still not a real big fan but can do it.
Okay I thought, a pod, as in oval shaped with room to spread out and enjoy the ride. No problem. Yep, that’s me not sure about getting in as the door slides open and an “alien” glow illuminates the pod. Yep again, this is the pod. Hmmm…
Nope. Egg shaped with five seats and you are really really comfy with the person next to you. There was another couple from Belgium who were supposed to go with us in pod #2. When the doors slid open to reveal the pod, he said he was claustrophobic and was not sure if he could go, I got in, George got in, and then his wife. Nope he couldn’t do it, so the three of us rode the pod to the top.
While the pod door had a small window, all you could see was concrete and wires passing by as we went up. There was no “outside” view as the pod ascended into the heavens, which we all agreed was a good thing… I remember closing my eyes a few times and sure was glad when the pod finally stopped. We climbed out of the pod and headed up short flight of stairs and were inside the top of the arch ! The floor is curved and they have a spot marked for the tippy top. It was amazing to look out and take pictures of St. Louis. After about ten minutes it was time to get down. I was done and wanted my feet back on solid ground. The good news it only takes 3 minutes to decend in the pods.
NOTE: The arch sways about an inch and a half with a wind gust speed of 50 mph. Maximum sway is eighteen inches. No wind today and no sway but I was still ready to get down! We left the Arch and walked over to the capital building and found an Italian restaurant for dinner.

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