From Wiki: The Gateway Arch is a 630-foot-high monument in St. Louis, Missouri. Clad in stainless steel and built in the form of a flattened catenary arch, it is the tallest man-made monument in the Western Hemisphere, Missouri's tallest accessible building, and the world's tallest arch. Built as a monument to the westward expansion of the United States, it is the centerpiece of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial and has become an internationally famous symbol of St. Louis. The arch sits at the site of St. Louis' founding on the west bank of the Mississippi River.
Above, Miss Nancy standing under the Arch, after the video, “Lewis and Clark: Great Journey West” in the Odyssey Theater.
Above, under the huge arch in the basement, are several attractions, museum, and two theaters. Great tourist traps. We were there! :-) And I bought a L & C history book.
The waterfront on the banks of the Mississippi River, a large renewal and revitalization is underway, and I'm told by our local friends, Bob & Lourene Clark, that it is going to be beautiful when completed...you got it, another serious tourist trap.
Bob & Lourene, who now reside in Ballwin, are members of the Lafeyette Church of Christ, where Bob is the pulpit minister and Lourene is a very active not-in-title Deaconess there. She does everything there, except preach or serve in any official deacon/elder capacity. We have known these two hard-working wonderful people for over 30 years, specifically when he was our minister back in the 80's & 90's in Chesapeake, VA.
Above, Bob & I after Sunday services in the Lafayette Church, after a fine step-on-you-toes sermon. Are there any other type? Below, Nancy & Lourene, (holding her left-over piece of pizza from lunch.
Above, Lourene doing the engineering for the acapella group that was practicing in the auditorium prior to services.
A couple more views of an engineering marvel
While in St Louis, we took in a side tour of the Ulysses S Grant NM. From Wiki: Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site is a 9.65-acre National Historic Site located 10 miles southwest of downtown St. Louis, within the municipality of Grantwood Village. The site, also known as White Haven, commemorates the life, military career, and Presidency of Ulysses S. Grant. Five historic structures are preserved at the site including the childhood home of Julia Dent Grant, wife of Ulysses S. Grant. The couple lived in the home from 1854 to 1859. White Haven was a plantation worked by slaves at the time Grant was married to his wife in 1848 and remained so until the end of the American Civil War.
Above, White Haven Homestead (not so white these days) and below, our NPS guide for the short tour through the grounds.
We spent more time chatting with the two guide about history, other National Parks and other items of US History, than actually exploring the grounds. Still, it was an interesting time in the Site.
Ulysses S. Grant served two terms as president, from March 4, 1869 until March 4, 1877. He was the eighteenth president, following Andrew Johnson and preceding Rutherford B. Hayes. 
Julia's Father, Colonel Fredrick Dent, and Grant had many a heated discussions over politics and the topic of slavery. White Haven itself has a storied history and anyone wanting to explore this topic, would enjoy the events surrounding it and Mrs Dent.
Well, that's a wrap on our visit to St Louis, this 19th day of August. We enjoyed our time there, especially with our dear friends, Bob & Lourene, and look forward to being with them again in the not so distant future. So, from Stephens Point, WI, RVing Beach Bums signing off, Sept 15, 2014.
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