LIFE LIST: SEE THE GATEWAY ARCH

Where: Jefferson National Expansion Memorial is the actual name but most just know it as the 'Gateway
Arch' in St Louis Missouri. It is called this as it is a 'memorial' to Thomas Jefferson who made westward expansion possible by acquiring Louisiana through the Louisiana Purchase.

When: June 13th 2013

Cost: You can see the arch from all over the city and the 92 acre park below the structure is totally free, there is also a museum under the arch to which admission is also free. There is a fee to go to the top of the arch.

She wasn't the only one enamored by this city, this river and this one of a kind structure.

Why this is on my list? It has been on my list since the first time I came across it a few years ago doing travel research, though it wasn't until very recently that I learned that you can go inside it to the top-this was a whole other experience on its own. It's funny that I wanted to do see this arch for years though I had no idea of its significance, symbolism nor the architectural marvel that it is. What shocked me the most was that it was built in 1965! Even today it is such a modern piece of art as well a modern engineering feat to be able to build elevators in a curved, or rather catenary shape, functional to travel 630 feet. I am dumbfounded that this massive freestanding monument, second only to the Eiffel Tower, only cost $13 million to build when Cloudgate which is minuscule in comparison cost $23 million and all you can do is look at it. Granted that $13 million would be about $100 million in today's dollars.

Will I do it again? I gotta say I LOOOOOVE ST LOUIS!!! I could easily spend a lot more time there, I have already composed a list of things I would like to do if I ever get a chance to go back so if my husband gets called back to Missouri on business I'd go along with him in a heartbeat! For instance a free yoga class is held every Saturday underneath the arch-how fun would that be!?
 One day I'd like to drive out west to see the Grand Canyon, I would make it a point to spend a night or two in St Loui. It's a long drive and when  I plan actual 'vacations' I try to pick places I've never been before but I think one way or another I'll see that 17,000 ton stainless steel beauty again one day!

Something I'd recommend? Oh yes, I think these iconic structures across the US (Mt Rushmore, Statue of Liberty, Cloudgate) are a must for all Americans to see and for those visiting the USA they are great destination locations. Not to mention St Louis is a remarkable city with no shortage of things to do and see.

Seeing the arch itself was exciting as I pulled into St Louis, it was exhilarating to see something new. I travel a lot around the USA but it's often to the same locations. By the time I was 18 I had already been in 39 of the 50 states, it was fun to see 2 more states, one with such a famous landmark. I feel like it's been a while since I've seen something new!

As far as the park goes, it is quite lovely and very well kept. Our hotel was directly across the street so in the 2 short days we were in the city there was several time that we went over to the park and ran around. It was so much fun to chase my daughter around in such an awe inspiring setting. The evening that Joel met us in St Louis we went over to the park at around 10h at night and we played, we ran around, took pictures and layed in the grass underneath the arch looking at the moon and the stars. It was my favorite moment the 3 of us have shared together. And it was so great for Z, she could run, be as loud as she wanted, there was nothing to worry about even though it is sandwiched between the Mississippi River and a major highway the park is so large that we really didn't have to worry about her getting to close to either.

You can find lots of information about the history of the arch in this article.


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