Second on the 2nd: the Arch

 

I like to share a second look based on the guest host at Art Journal Journey, and this month the host is Wendy whose theme is Doors and/or Arches.  If you have been around my blog for any length of time at all, you know I love houses, which in turn have doors.  In fact, I have an entire altered book dedicated to houses.  Therefore, when I had a chance to feature an arch instead of a door, I immediately knew what I wanted to feature.

This is a small part of several blog posts, two of which I created back in March, 2019.  These posts feature what was originally called the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial in St. Louis, MO.  It is now called the Gateway Arch National Park. U.S.  The following is from these various posts.

Some of you might remember my rant about the Statue of Liberty, which in turn led to my comparing it to the Arch: 

Years ago, I traveled to New York to see the reopening of the Statue of Liberty, a project I believed in.  I contributed for three years while they worked on the Statue.  I was there on day four of the reopening.  I was young and dumb, and got sucked into Lee Iaccoca's promises, since I thought it was a good cause to repair the Statue.  I even got my name as a contributor in the computer in the basement area under the statue.  When I got home, people asked what I thought of the Statue of Liberty.  I told them how disappointed I was.  It was NOTHING like the Arch, which I had already visited several times.

First, when you visit the Arch, you may take as much time as you like to take photos, appreciate the beauty of both the river and the city of St. Louis from high above.  Even though I'm extremely frightened of heights, this didn't frighten me, and it was exhilarating.  For the Arch, you take a tram to the top and stay as long as you like.  There are viewing areas/windows that allow you to see from both sides.

When I visited the Statue of Liberty, I climbed the 354 steps, many of them tight.  I was in excellent physical health, but many people would not have made it.  My friend Sally wouldn't have even fit in the tight 19 inch staircase which winds to the top of the crown.  Back then, they allowed people who wanted to climb to the top to do so.  Now they only allow a limited number per day to climb to the crown.  Once up top, we were forced to keep moving.  I only had a brief time to take a few photos from the viewing windows and had to move on.  Such a disappointment.  It also wasn't as high (tall) as I anticipated it would be, either.  Certainly not like the Arch, which spoiled me for views and beauty.

While at the arch, you learn how it was created.  Much of the final work had to be done at night or early morning, since once the sun heated the arch, it distorted the two legs (until they were assembled, that is).

Old Courthouse in St. Louis, Missouri, USA, as seen from the top of the Gateway arch. Compliments of Wikipedia.

Because I'm so short, I had to climb up on the viewing platforms to see out the tiny windows (about 7 inches x 27 inches or 180 mm x 690 mm).  However, I was able to stay as long as I liked.  At the time of this posting, it cost $10.00 (USD) to go to the top of the Arch.  The first time I went up, it was $3.00 (USD).  The second, third, and fourth times were $3.50 (USD).  After checking the current prices, the cost for one adult Monday through Thursday is $17.00 (USD) and $19.00 (USD) Friday through Sunday.  Also forget what I said above about taking as much time as you like.  Now, the tram ticket site tells us: 

Guests will be limited to under 10 minutes at the top of the Arch. Please follow tour guide announcements.
Now let me tell you about the Arch.  One thing to remember is, it was 630 feet (192 meters) high and 630 feet (192 meters) from each of the bases, too.  Many call it a parabola, and it even looks like one, but that is technically not true.  It is really a weighted catenary (meaning the legs are wider than the upper section), made up of 142 wedges that are equilateral triangles.  I got the information about these specific numbers from this fact sheet.

One of the things that surprised me was how the Illinois side of the river has been cleaned up.  

This is my own photo I took from the Illinois side back in the mid-80s.  You can see I had to walk through practically a forest of debris and dead trees to get this shot.  

I took the photo out of the frame, but because of the matte finish, it was still hard to see.

One of the years I was there for a July 4th concert (I went every July 4th for many years), I broke down and purchased a VP Fair beer.

VP stands for Veiled Prophet, and this organization has been going strong for well over 100 years.  Either I'm getting old, or I no longer know current artists, but I've never heard of the ones they are listing for this year's fair (2019 is not shown in the listings anymore). 

These live in my basement and they are part of a larger St. Louis vignette.  I also have a photo from the Illinois side of the river I took one year during the daytime.  However, I didn't have time to look for it.  On the other hand, you can see I photo bombed my own photo!

One photo I'm especially proud of (yes, my scanner was obviously dirty when I took this scan)

is this one I took in front of the Old Courthouse, which was made famous by the Dred Scott case.  I like how I captured the rainbow in the fountains.  Although it is impossible to tell from the spot where I took this photo, the name of the statue is The Runner and  yes, he is running.

 

_____________________________________________

 

Now it's time to share your own Second on the 2nd.  The rules are quite simple and everyone is welcome to join the fun look back.  All you have to do is bring back a post that you are especially proud of, or perhaps one you shared before anyone knew your blog existed.  Any post, any genre, any artistic endeavor is acceptable, as long as it's been published sometime in the past.  Then link below (direct links only, please) and Bleubeard and I, along with other Second on the 2nd friends, will be by to visit.  Please note this link is only good through 4 p.m. my time on Monday afternoon when T Tuesday goes live.