Halfway There...

We arrived in St. Louis, Missouri yesterday in the late afternoon... just in time to go to the St. Louis Arch before they closed!  I was so excited to see the arch and go up to the top.  My structural design professor in college helped design the arch back in the early 60's, and we learned all about the design and construction...I've been wanting to see this fascinating structure ever since!

Here is Picasso, our roving reporter, who wanted to report the weather first..."cloudy with a chance of dog treats, WOOF!"

What a truly simple & elegant design. The cross-section of the arch is a hollow steel triangle. Inside the triangle "tube" is the structural system, stairs, mechanical systems and a series of circular-shaped pods which take the tourists up to the top of the arch (5 people per pod). Picasso stood outside and protested on behalf of all pets that are not allowed inside the arch. *woof!*

  

Here we are at the top of the arch.  The windows are little slots, and you have to lean at an angle over to the window to see outside.  The view is amazing.

  

The fall colors look beautiful from the top of the arch.  The bottom photo is a view of one of the bases of the arch, viewed from the top, which is 63 stories high.

We left this morning for a full nine hours of marathon driving.  We drove through Illinois, Kentucky and arrived in Knoxville, Tennessee late this evening.  The weather was light rain, but we enjoyed some very nice scenery.  The fall foliage was surprisingly beautiful in Illinois and Kentucky.  Tennessee is very lush with rolling hills and lots of trees (along the highway, at least).  Brian made me aware of the cruise control, which I have come to really like! It keeps me within the speed limit range and I can relax my feet!

Picasso, needless to say, was pretty happy to finally arrive in Knoxville.  He immediately settled into the reclining lounge chair when we entered the hotel room...

Picasso is very happy, as he awaits his evening treat... good night.