The 'Arch'

Diane was insistent that we go to St. Louis and photograph this iconic monument.  It was on her 'bucket list'.  We went along with that and boy am I ever glad we did!!  The arch is the centerpiece of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial. It is more formally called the 'Gateway Arch'. For starters, here are some impressive facts.  It is the tallest monument in the United States at 630 feet in height.  it is the world's tallest arch. It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1987.  The monument, dedicated to the American people, expresses the important westward expansion that was essential in building this country.  The tribute to President Jefferson celebrates his vision of our country as he was an ardent supporter of exploration and early development of the western territories.

We agreed to leave early in the morning and start our adventure at the Malcolm Martin Memorial Park.  We had done some research on the best place to photograph the arch and this was one place that had high marks.  From here, we looked across the Mississippi River westward toward St. Louis.

This is the park showing the slow rising walkway on the left with the arch in clear view in early morning light.

This is an important image to have in your 'bucket list' file.  There is a lot of information about how the Old Courthouse would be used as the centerpiece in the arch's orientation.  The arch frames that important city icon.  You can also notice that barges are already moving down the river in the early morning hours.

A fish-eye photograph showing the two bridges on each side.  Bridges crossing the river are the transportation lifelines of St. Louis and were a major consideration in the design and placement of the arch.

Surely, the sun rises and the picture changes.

The Old Courthouse, now a museum.

Who is this?  Impersonator?  Eddie?

We left the Memorial Park and headed across the river to get closer to the arch.  Right away one feels a sense of private openness.  The whole memorial space was designed to provide a sense of in an integrated and yet separated space.  Nearby traffic is barely noticeable as it is hidden by berms and trees.

If you look really really closely you might discern some people standing at the bottom of the arch (towards the left).

We were very disappointed to find out that the two reflecting pools had been drained for maintenance.  Tom had been there when they were full and he told us that reflections in the pools were one of the best parts of the experience.  But, due to the 'magic of Tom' we have a chance to see what that would look like!!

At the top you can spot the windows that allow visitors that pay to take the tram to the top a birds-eye view of the city and river.  We had reserved tickets to take the tram ride but there were delays, probably because of mechanical issues, and we decided not to waste our limited time waiting around on an off-chance they would be resolved.

The architect for the Memorial was Eero Saarinen.  He worked closely with Dan Kiley, a landscape architect.  The arch is clad in stainless steel.  It is the most famous of the weighten caternary arches (flat at the bottom and skinny at the top).  There is actually a mathematical formula for this kind of arch!

The patina or reflections on the stainless sheets was interesting.

One of several informative signs alluding to the importance of St. Louis as a starting point for westward expansion.

Looking northward from the edge of the mall.

For me personally, the item of the Gateway Arch is only a half check off my bucket list.  I want to go back when construction and maintenance is finished.  I would like to take the tram, a marvel in design in its own right.  Besides, I only have a half check on another item, the Missouri Botanical Gardens.  That trip is coming up on a future blog posting.  So, I think I shall visit St. Louis again (sigh).  I bet I can talk Diane into meeting up for a repeat!!

Swans and Flowers

The only swannery in the world, the Abbotsbury Swannery, is located in Dorset, England.  Occupying about 25 acres, it is the nesting sanctuary of about 600 Mute Swans. The swans are free to come and go.

The swannery was established by the Benedictine Monks who built a monastery at Abbotsbury during the 1040s.  The monks farmed the swans to produce food for their lavish banquets.  The monastery was destroyed in 1539 but the swans continued to return.  The sanctuary is now under the stewardship of the Ilchester Estates, a holder of large properties in the area.

Visitors can help feed them at noon and 4 pm daily.

Len must know that I owned an herb store in Scottsdale at one point in my life!  Many of my herbs were used to support good health.

The Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens is located right next to the Swannery.

Thanks Len!!

Dillard Mill

The photograph of Dillard Mill that you see below is actually the second mill built on this site.  The first one was built in 1850 and was named the Wisdom Mill after the owner, Frances Wisdom.  It was purchased by Joseph Dillard Cottrell who changed the name.  It burned down in 1895.  The current mill was built by new owners of the property and built on the same site using the existing dam.  The new mill was built with an underwater turbine and was completed in 1908.  It remained in business until 1956.  It is located on a 132 acre private property but is administered by the state of Missouri.

This is actually the back of the mill.  When we arrived it was late in the day and we found the front of the mill to be completely shaded.

In addition to the shade, there was a wedding in process!!  We gave them full privacy and photographed other areas before heading into the mill to check it out.

This mill was powered by damming Huzah Creek.  Beyond the dam is a collection pond that is just gorgeous.

On the right is the gate that would have controlled the amount of water flowing past the turbine.  The overflow would go to the left where you see some water going over the dammed area.  There is still some water flowing through the open gate, but you cannot see it from this location.

Dillard Mill is one of the few restored and fully operational mills.  All of the original equipment remains in place.

We asked if the mill still ground grain.  "Oh no!!! It would take us two weeks to clean up the mess it would create.  We could not give tours in such a mess."  Ok then, we will just watch the wheels whir and pretend.

Millstones were the primary means of grinding grain until about 1875 when roller mills came into general use.  The invention of the roller mill caused a revolution in the milling industry.  Wheat could be ground and sifted several time until all the useable flour was extracted.  This gradual reduction roller milling process required the stock to make several trips between floors while passing through a succession of machines.  The bottles above show the various stages of grinding taken to get to the final flour product.

The day we toured it was hotter than heck!  There is no refrigeration units adorning the roof or windows.  I could only imagine the heat in the late summer when real grinding was underway.

I tired of all of the machinery and while on the third floor decided to check out the view.  Below is the water flowing through the open chute!!  I was surprised.  The window was open so I leaned over . . . carefully!  Click!

When we were done with the tour on the inside we were offered the opportunity to go around the back for a better late day photo.  To do so we followed one of the people associated with the mill.  The area he took us to is on private property but he has permission to use it when he wishes.  We were so glad that we were able to see it from this side as the other side was so dark.

We got lost on our way back to our car and ended up walking a lot more distance down the road than we really needed to.  Sigh!  Some long days end that way.