View from the top
This past weekend, we took the kids to St. Louis, a trip that included a trip to the top of the Gateway Arch. I had to put on a brave face for the kids because my heart was about to beat out of my chest going up in that tiny tram.
Sunday’s beautiful weather also included a bit of a breeze, which was strong enough to make the top of the arch sway a bit. Eep.
While St. Louis doesn’t boast the impressive skylines of Chicago or New York, it does have a few architectural highlights. Visible front and center, of course, is the Old Courthouse, the site of the infamous Dred Scott Decision.
The red-brick building just off the northwest corner of Kiener Plaza is the Wainwright Building, considered one of the first modern skyscrapers. Because it was built in 1892, it actually wasn’t named for the Cardinals’ 2006 World Series hero.
St. Louis, like every other city, also has its share of lowlights. At lower right is the Adam’s Mark Hotel, which used to be called the Pierce Building. In the 1980s, the building was ruined by fitted with a ghastly, Watterson Towers-style facade.
[rant] I suppose it seemed like a good idea at the time, but an example of such retrofitting in our town further shows that re-skinning an older building almost never is a good decision. The metal cladding on the tower at Sixth and Monroe streets is an eyesore and merely provides roosts for hundreds of birds that the alleged Bird Whisperer is whack-a-moling around downtown. [/rant]
And finally, at the left edge of the photo, we have what is affectionately called Lake DeWitt. Named for the de facto owner of the Cardinals, Lake DeWitt is the footprint of the previous Busch Stadium. More than two years after the Concrete Doughnut was knocked down, the area still remains barren despite the millions of taxpayer dollars handed to DeWitt and Co. for development of the so-called Ballpark Village.
Besides the Arch, we also hit the Science Center, as well as the unspeakably awesome City Museum, pictures of which I hope to have up soon.
March 5th, 2008 at 3:28 pm
One can never go wrong with a trip to the Gateway City. How much more “impressive” a skyline does St. Louis need with the Arch welcoming west- and southbound travelers?
And yes, the City Museum IS unspeakably awesome.
March 5th, 2008 at 7:27 pm
I wonder if Dapper Dan’s still holds the corner of Washington and Tucker.
March 6th, 2008 at 8:57 am
Can I pick your brain for a sec about City Museum? Was it unspeakably awesome for your kids too? We took our kids to the Science Center a few years ago, and while there were some things for them to do, it was a bit over their heads. We’ve been to the Magic House twice and they love that place. My oldest son is almost 12 and youngest almost 4, so we’re looking for a fun place to go that can span that finicky 8 year span. City Museum???
Incidentally, for St. Louis summer fun, we took our gang on the one hour river boat cruise last summer. That was tons of fun and less than $50 for 7 of us.
March 6th, 2008 at 9:15 am
Whoa! I can totally see the curvature of the Earth. Nice shot.
March 6th, 2008 at 10:28 am
Nancy: The City Museum definitely will accommodate that age span. My kids are almost 7 and almost 4, and they love it.
March 6th, 2008 at 10:57 am
One of the first things I noticed in looking at the photo was the same thing that manx picked up on. The Arch is obviously high enough to be able to see the curvature of the earth.
Awesome photo! Was it taken using your iPhone?
March 6th, 2008 at 11:02 am
Zebra: No, it was taken with my regular camera. And thanks.
March 6th, 2008 at 12:39 pm
Curvature of the earth? What are you getting at?
Nancy- I can vouch for the City Museum definitely accommodating 12 year olds and 4 year olds. And 40-year-olds with really bad knees. The place friggin’ rocks.