2019 EB Day 15 - Highs & Lows

Leaving the Wagon Wheel in Cuba we wound our way along a road lined with lush overhanging trees.

A feature of the last half of this trip has been the level of greenery, Trees encasing the old highway which would lead us to Meramec Caverns.

Reputedly, Jesse James hid out here at one point while running from the law.

It was a well received hour plus, wandering several hundred feet under ground in a cool temperate climate unlike the high humidity 34 degrees outside.

We diverted onto a 'new' piece of old road north of the usual track into St Louis to meet up with Phil & Debbie Becker (from the old Texaco Gas Station in Dwight) who were heading west for a photographic shoot with their latest creation.

'Their', as in Phil builds it and Deb pays for it he reckons! Like their previous builds this one is already attracting attention and will likely be a winner in more ways than just our hearts.

A stop in St Louis means the Gateway Arch and a monument most had no idea existed.

It did have special meaning for our resident architect Suzzane who was well aware of the structure's artist-architect, Finnish-American Eero Saarinen.

The facility has had several improvements in the last few years including a well presented museum...

...but the view from the 600 feet up is the show stopper, highlighting just how much water is currently pouring down the mighty Mississippi... the shadow of the huge arch reflected in the murky surface below.

Once again we are unable to walk the Chain of Rocks bridge with water across the roads that lead to what was once the main connection between Missouri and Illinois.

Threatening clouds loomed as we made our way through the old old part of town, clearly the other side of St Louis.

The heavens finally opened up scattering cars and people as we sheltered under the roof of a gas station for the end of day 15, refuelling in readiness for another adventure tomorrow.

Craig caught the eye of a local cop, also staying out of the downpour, discovering he knew a bit about the ANZACs - some of his army mates were taking part in what sounded like joint manoeuvres down south in Florida.