Yesterday, after getting settled at the hotel we headed to the Gateway Arch. From afar this is a beautiful sight (see attached). Up close it is also very pretty but the 4 minute trip to the top is a different story. First we had to wait on line with a group of middle schoolers who must have forgotten to take their Ritalin in the morning. After about a 20 minute wait with these kids we were crammed into a cubicle for 5 (but much more appropriate for 2) for the four minute ride to the top. Once at the summit we found loads of people struggling to see out of the tiny windows. The views were nice but getting a chance to enjoy them was slim.
After the Arch we made it to the nearby courthouse where Dred Scott and his wife Harriett first pled their case for freedom in 1846. It was 11 years later that Judge Taney presided over the Supreme Court which decided that Dred was just property and not a human worthy of the rights of other men.
We then headed to Busch Stadium to watch the Pirates vs the Cards. I only wish the game was as great as our seats. The Bucs lost in extra innings 2-1. We saw all the action seated so close to the Pirate dugout we could almost smell the tobacco juice.
We had a near tragic problem at the game. We didn’t anticipate extra innings and Patrice’s Kindle battery almost died. Luckily we went to “Free Phone Charger Night” (see attached) and disaster was averted.
Today was a case of deja vu all over again, when the Pirates lost to the Cards 2-1 in extra innings. Although the games have been less than I had hoped (there is always tomorrow) I did find the stadium and game day experience very enjoyable. Our seats have been fantastic. Busch Stadium is beautiful inside and out. Inside it is filled with a sea of red except for me in my Pirate shirt and Patrice in her matching yellow and black (see attached). We will do our best tomorrow to change the karma before we head south to Memphis.
Robert
Robert Reiss Travel Blog and Other Ramblings 