We can hardly compare ourselves to the Pioneers; If we wanted to, we could get to the West Coast from the East Coast in a few days as opposed to six months, we have food and fuel stops at our whim, heat and air conditioning is available with just a flick of a switch and there is a pretty good chance that we will get to the West Coast alive. So, as we enter the middle states, what used to be the edge of the Western United States, I think it is important to give a serious nod to what the pioneers actually did and the Gateway Arch in St. Louis seemed like a good place to start. Oh, and the Hippygeek really wanted some ribs.
The concept for the Arch began in 1933 as a monument to those who helped to promote western expansion and a way to revive the ailing St. Louis waterfront during the depression. When completed, in 1965, it became the tallest (630 ft.) manmade monument in the United States and the tallest stainless steel monument in the world.
The day we arrived, the waterfront was still under a good bit of water from the tremendous amount of flooding they have had the past month but, the Arch was still open to the public.
I had absolutely no idea what to expect with regard to exploring the Arch but when we entered the “pod”(they call it a tram) to ride to the top, I thought we were preparing to be jettisoned to another planet. The small round structure just fits 5 average sized adults, has a backlit glow and a very tiny window with which you can view the internal structure of the Arch during the ride. Those with claustophobia should avoid the 4 minute ride to the top. The Dudes, on the other hand, thought “it was cool”!
At the top there are 32 windows 7” x 27” with which to view the surrounding country side. We were lucky enough to be treated to the 30 mile view seen on a clear day.
There is also a visitors center beneath the arch which includes the history of Western Expansion and a beautiful park which spans a 1/2 mile along the waterfront. We got to see quite a lot of the park since we could only find space for the RV in the parking lot of an abandoned building many blocks away(One of the disadvantages of traveling in the “big rig”.
To appease the driver(one must always keep the driver happy), I searched out a “rib joint” to have an early supper and found a place called Pappy’s Smokehouse. It was ranked one of the top ten in St. Louis by Urbanspoon and the Travel Channel ranked it as one of the top 100 restaurants in the U.S. so, it sounded worth a try.
After we loaded up 3 parking meters to avoid getting ticketed, we went in to give it a try. Adam Richman of Man vs. Food was a previous customer as evidenced by his picture next to the cash register. Now I don’t have anything against Adam personally but, I don’t support the gluttonous show. In fact, I can’t even watch it because IT IS SO WRONG! But, in a sick way, it is the American way; shovel as much food in your mouth as possible, have people cheer you on and then make a show about it. The one thing I do admire about him is that he at least chooses high quality food to stuff his face with.
The food was excellent and the Hippygeek was very happy. Skip, the owner, came by to check on us and gave the Dudes each a”Pappy’s Smokehouse” T-shirt and said that if we send him a picture of us from Alaska, he would hang it up in the restaurant. You can be sure we will!
It appears that we have come along way since the pioneers; from a time when people were willing to risk everything for a better way of life for their families to a time when our better way of life affords us the ability to sell gluttony for fun. Hmmmmm.
“All progress is precarious, and the solution of one problem brings us face to face with another problem.” Martin Luther King Jr.
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