Sunsets in St Louis

The Examiner: http://www.examiner.com/x-1948-SE-Missouri-Senior-Travel-Examiner

One of the great views of St Louis is from the top of the Gateway Arch. On a winter day, the last few tram rides to the top have two great advantages. First, there are no lines in the winter. Second, this may be one of St Louis’ great sunset spots in the winter.For most of the year, the Gateway Arch and Museum of Westward Expansion are open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (winter hours). Tram tickets are $10.00 on site. Or, you can order tickets on line at www.gatewayarch.com A $3 processing fee is charged per transaction on line.

Save a few bucks and buy tickets when you get there, because there is rarely along line in winter.

The park is beautiful and a great place to walk on clear winter days. Parking is never crowded when the weather is cold. Once inside, the weather is of no concern. There is plenty to do with movies, the fabulous interactive museum and the tram ride to the top of the arch.

Take Your Best Shot

When we got to the top, lots of people began taking bad photographs in the sun’s setting glare. The windows are only seven inches tall. Still, the city scape is gorgeous from the western view. Illinois seems to stretch out forever on the eastern side of the Arch. One lady wasn’t getting any photos, good or bad. Since she was aiming her tiny camera out several windows, I asked as we were leaving, if she got some great photos.

“No,” she said sadly. “I couldn’t figure out how to work the camera.”

Going up to the top of the Arch is something I’ve been meaning to do for years. Now that I’ve been there and done that, I probably won’t go back on the tram to the top. I figured this lady wasn’t ever going to get her photo if she didn’t get it today. “My daughter gave the camera to me before we left on vacation. We are on our way to Branson,” she said.

“Come on, lets go back, I’ll help you,” I said. She was grateful, and we raced back to the tiny windows to get that photo.

Turns out, we didn’t get the shot with her camera because the camera battery was dead. So this photo is for that lady. It’s always good to check your camera and know how to use it before you plan to use it.

“Thank you anyway sweetie. At least you showed me how to use my camera. Now, I’ll be able to recharge and take pictures in Branson.”

For more info: For pricing and group reservations, call toll free at (voice) 1-877-982-1410 (Monday-Friday 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. CST). Another good thing, very knowledgeable park rangers have more time to answer questions and talk to you in the slower hours of winter.