Southern Illinois becomes soft rolling hills. Nice after all the flatlands north of there. Stopped by the grave/memorial to Mother Jones — at a United Mine Workers cemetery — the only one run by & for union workers. Obviously well cared for.
Remember I said there would be more service station nostalgia, here’s another.
I finally reached the Mississippi River and despite Google Maps directing me to a bridge that was 100 feet away from the one I was one, I finally found my way to one of the original bridges carrying Rt 66 across the Mississippi.
Chain of Rocks Bridge. Because of the rapids and fear that the stanchions of the bridge would interfere with boats on the river, the bridge has a 30 degree bend about 2/3 of the way across. Wild. It fell into disuse due to the need for larger bridges, and was rehabilitated as a pedestrian/cyclist bridge. So cool that I got to walk across the Mighty Mississippi.
I then made it across a much bigger bridge with my car and had 2 fabulous days in St Louis. The brother & SIL of one of my cousin-in-law who grew up in St. Louis gave me a fabulous tour of the Missouri Botanical Garden and of some of the enormous parks in St Louis. Forest Park was the scene of the 1904 World’s Fair in St Louis — and I can see how it could all fit. So much to see.
But fear not — there were also snacks for the human
I also got a tour of the St Louis Art Museum (SLAM: world’s best acronym) with some amazing art. In one gallery I spotted this piece: a picture of the Cambridge waterfront in 1880. Looks a little different nowadays….
I went to a showing of Shakespeare in the Park – the Tempest, that night. Great show with an interesting change of genders for Prospero and the King of Naples — both women. Brought out a different feel to the play.
The next day had to get my National Park Passport stamp at the smallest national park: the St. Louis Arch. I had seen images of it but hadn’t realized quite how large it really is: 630 feet high and wide. Amazing engineering and construction work done in building it. I’m in awe of the whole project.
I chose to take the tram up to the top view platform. Space age 1960s look to the trams, and a 4 minute ride up there. What a view!
And directly in front of the Arch is the courthouse where Dred Scott sued for his freedom. And if you don’t know that result — look it up.
Finally I added learning more about the area’s history with a visit to the Missouri History Museum. (BTW: almost all these museums are free…..) Had a wonderful tour of the 1904 World’s Fair exhibition exhibit. Wish I could have gotten some good pictures. It was HUGE!
Finally finished off the St Louis time with a stop at a local institution: Ted Drewes frozen custard shop (a richer version of ice cream). Its been there since 1929. They specialize in something called a “concrete” which is basically what we know as mix-ins. However, they only start with vanilla and add to that. Lots of flavor possibilities –a great after a long day of sightseeing.
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