The Gateway Arch

 

New construction for expansion with more parking and more museum room. Another reason to go back in a few years and see the improvements; :-)

 

This was my 7th 'trip' to the Arch, (though I do not count going twice in 3 days as two trips, I just count it as one). During this trip; I'd just arrived, and was in my normal state of awe, wonder, and respect. After gazing for 4-5 minutes, Pam thought she'd photo me. I was having flashbacks as to what I already knew about the Arch, and was reflecting on those thoughts.

 

Did you know that the Arch was originally envisioned back in 1939? That no one died during construction, though 13 were expected to? That the federal laws of today relating to ecology, water lands, unions, OSHA, and territorial rights would have likely prevented it from ever being built? 

 

Experts today say that the Arch would have had a .042% chance of being built with the same standards of construction, safety, reclamation, and unions; using laws of 2012 vs. 1959.  In 1959 it was a huge risk, and literally took "3 acts of Congress" to make it happen. 

 

And that was with 1/919th of the federal laws in force today as compared to then.  I am so glad that the 1959 politicians were somewhat saner than the ones of today.

 

One of my favorite angles. From this, you can really get a feel for the amount of trigonometry, algebra, geometry, and calculus that went into engineering and construction of the Arch. This angle always reminds me about the men taking measurement readings by the stars at night for required alignment adjustments. If they were off 1/64th of an inch, it would have been disaster at the top, as the curvature would have increased the spacing from 1/64th at the base to over 2' at the top.

 

The men were not able to take accurate readings during the day because the sun heating the stainless steel skewed the refractory settings. Plus, also from this angle, you can almost still see how the huge fire hose water cannons were used to cool the sides on the last day of construction to allow for 1/2" of steel stretching at the top during the final piece of installation. Fascinating.

 

An amazing feeling, shooting straight up. The sway is non-detectable; but you know it is there. The equilibrium at the apex; wow, it just blows me away. The engineering that went into construction of the Arch is so advanced that I had to buy the new book this trip; which I devoured over the course of 2 days. A fascinating read, and now a centerpiece in my bookcase!

 

Of course, the ubiquitous pose of 'holding up the Arch'.  Totally cheesy, but I don't give a rip.

 

During my second visit this weekend, I got there when the doors open, and only had to wait 10 minutes to get in.  When I left 4 hours later (yes, I could have stayed longer), the line to get in was 90 minutes.  The tram to the top was a 2 hour wait for that group.

 

The Lewis & Clark museum was still great, the book store was much improved, the 'building the Arch' movie was still inspirational. The only thing new was a wild-west candy store; and it was packed. Peeps gotta have their sugar.

 

The photo as I am walking away from my most recent trip.  I will be back.  I love the Arch too much not to return.  I must have been an engineer and/or architect in a former life. I love the math involved in those vocations too much not to have experienced it.

 

If you have never been, go.  It is so worth it.