Arch-Capitol-Truman

Day 2 of Don and Carolyn's Great Adventure

   Spent the first night in motel a short 5 minute walk from the Arch.

   After a free breakfast, we partially loaded our car for the trip out of the city, then walked to the Arch for our previously purchased tram ride to the top.

   This was a pretty cool operation: A tram ran to the top every 10 minutes from the museum level of the main building. The capacity of one tram was 40 persons (8 tram cars each seating 5 persons).

   Carolyn and I had a car all to ourselves. Several other cars carried less than 5 on this run.

   A 4 minute ride to the top, "as long as you wanted to" time at the observation windows there, then a 3 minute ride back down, where they loaded up again and rose back up, all of this from 9:10 in the morning till 4:30 in the afternoon.

   We had a great view back toward St. Louis with the Old Courthouse right in front as we faced west, and the Mississippi River and country to the east in our sights.

   As we stood in the top of the Arch, someone called the group's attention to an event that had just happened. A proposal had been made by a young man to his intended, and she had said "Yes". Much laughter and congratulations followed and everyone, including the prospective bride, I'm sure will remember that unique day..(Young man in blue shirt and girl with long brown hair, both smiling)

   Coming back to earth, we walked up to the Old Courthouse. A quick history: Original built in 1828,  another newer courthouse was built in 1850 but used the eastern wing of the 1828 one, then later the eastern portion was replaced by a new part and the present day building served until 1930. It is run by the National Park Service along with the Arch Gateway grounds.

   The famous Supreme Court case in the 1850s began its legal journey here in this spot, known to us as the Dred Scott case. A sculpture of Dred and Harriett Scott stands in front.

   We had to check out of the hotel by noon and retrieve our car for Wednesday's road portion of our adventure.

   Our next stop, Jefferson City, to see the capitol of Missouri, which was unfortunately being renovated as you can tell. Earlier pictures of this magnificent structure show it in a better light, but when out on the road, you take what you can get.

   On to Independence, where we will visit with President Harry Truman, and chart the beginnings of the Oregon Trail tomorrow.

   Stay tuned.