St. Louis, MI

Escaping the anti-climax of Hurricane Irene, we headed south-west into 'The Show Me State' of Missouri. We had a cholesterol-busting brunch at a Dairy Queen and an all-singing (The Chiffons and the soundtrack to 'O Brother, Where Art Thou') short drive on I-55. We headed to St. Louis (don't forget, locals pronounce the 's') and the 'Journey to the Top' (Gateway Arch at the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial).

Hard to believe that an elevator took us to the top of a catenary arch (the pods you sit in look like something out of 2001, and work the same as the London Eye). The view from the top (on both sides) was expansive, as the local area is incredibly flat. For many years, the top of the courthouse was the highest thing around, and Mississippi River boatmen used it for many years as a navigational aid. On the other (Illinois) side was the Gateway Geyser - the tallest fountain in the world! Don't lean out too far though, if you don't have a head for heights (like me) - it will give you the willies! I had to check a few times, though - a cheap thrill, to be sure.

Then we jumped aboard the Tom Sawyer Riverboat, for a leisurely (and informative) cruise on the Mississippi. Not quite running on steam, nor using the paddle at the rear - it couldn't really be called a paddleboat steamer. It was very hot, and instead of a cool lemonade and a maid fanning my brow, I made do with a refreshing local beer (made across the river) called 'Budwiser', not sure if you have heard of it? The river is still worked, and we saw a couple of tugboats pushing mighty long barge-loads (up to 30!) down the river like a railway line. We are now safely ensconced in our Motel 6 in Saint Robert, after a mighty fine meal at the "Cracker Barrell". Tomorrow we head off for the Meramec caves and continue our journey to a town called Hot Springs in Arkansas.