21 January, 2010

Sky Watching from the Top of the Gateway Arch in Saint Louis-SkyWatch Friday


Today we are finally going up in the Gateway Arch. Yes, we are going up 630 feet or 192 meters to the top of this beautiful structure designed by Finnish-American Architect Eero Saarinen.

Passing through the doors, passengers in groups of five enter an egg-shaped compartment containing five seats and a flat floor. Because of the car shape, the compartments have sloped ceilings low enough to force taller riders to lean forward while seated (for this reason it's recommended that the tallest of the five passengers in the car sit in the center seat facing the door). Eight compartments are linked to form a train, meaning that both trains have a capacity of 40, and that 80 people can be transported at one time. These compartments individually retain an appropriate level by periodically rotating every 5 degrees, which allows them to maintain the correct orientation while the entire train follows curved tracks up one leg of the arch. The trip to the top of the Arch takes four minutes, and the trip down takes three minutes. The car doors have narrow windows, allowing passengers to see the interior stairways and structure of the Arch during the trip. I will say the pods are a tad claustrophobic and restrictive.

View looking out to the mighty Mississippi River that divides the State of Missouri and the State of Illionis. I like that I managed to capture a reflection of the arch in the River.

View looking toward City Garden and City of Saint Louis proper.

View looking toward Edward Jones arena where the Saint Louis Rams play football.



View looking toward Busch Stadium where the Saint Louis Cardinals play baseball.

I hope you enjoyed your view from the top of Gateway Arch today. These photographs were taken in August of 2009.

Please check out SKYWATCH FRIDAY  and share in the new year's spirit. Skywatch Friday was created by Dot, and perfected by Tom and is now hosted by Klaus. Skywatch members are Wren, Sandy, Sylvia, Fishing Guy, and Klaus.

52 comments:

Sylvia K said...

Fantastic captures! And what a view! Wow! I've been to St. Louis, seen the Arch, but didn't get to the top! What a fun way to start my day!!! Have a great weekend!

Sylvia

Daryl said...

How cool... thank you .. I had no idea there was 'ride' involved .. does Disney know? LOL.

Regina said...

Wow Great arch and sky!
Great photos of St. Louis. Such a huge stadium.
Enjoy the weekend.

Gaelyn said...

Sounds like a Disney ride. Wow, what absolutely awesome views. Love the arch reflected on the river.

Ramosforest.Environment said...

Great shots.
Luiz Ramos

Rajesh said...

Fabulous captures you have got from the top of the arch.

Elisabeth said...

Love the first shot...excellent composition and color. Happy SWF!

Eaglesbrother said...

Nice shots from the top.

Tash said...

I LOVE the Arch...everything about it. Went up to the top in April 2002. Aren't the little 'cars' ingenious? Thank you for a great re-visit. (I bought the video of the construction & enjoy seeing it every so often.)

Rune said...

Fantastic captures! :) Must have been quite an experience to come up there.

Barb said...

Looks as though you had a 360 degree view. My sons (6'4") would have a hard time fitting!

Glen Hartjes said...

Very nice shot of the arch, makes me want to ride to the top!

Dewdrop said...

I love the angle on this shot!

Anonymous said...

that first image is such a classic view, postcard shot.

Carolyn Ford said...

I love the perspective on that first photo! Wow! That is impressive!

Guy D said...

Great shots but that first pic is one of my favourites so far this week, its outstanding.

All the best
GuyRegina In Pictures

Anonymous said...

Lol @ Daryl.
What an amazing post. So very exciting and such awesome views.

Jim said...

First shot. Awesome.
Sydney - City and Suburbs

Jan K. said...

Great series, Erin. The first and the third are my favorites.
Enjoy your weekend!

eileeninmd said...

Cool photos of the Arch and from the arch. Great views!

Alexander said...

Lovely photos of the arch and the city. Gorgeous captures.

Have a fantastic weekend.

Alexander
Alex's World! - http://www.kakinan.com/alex

Amanda said...

wow! I really especially love the first picture!! What a great shot! Happy Skywatch =)

Anonymous said...

I've been up at the top of the Arch! It's an amazing structure. Thanks for featuring it, Erin! Great photos - especially the first one - great angle.

Lew said...

Great sky shot of the arch and blue sky! And fantastic view of the city from the top. The sleet started here about 9:15 PM. suppose to be snow/sleet/rain until tomorrow night - about 2 inches total.

XoXo said...

These are magnificent shots! I like the first photo most, great composition and angle.

Larry D said...

Great photos, I always wondered what it looked like from up there.

magiceye said...

amazing captures!
thank you for the ride!

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Erin: What a neat series of photos base around the Arch.

Ebie said...

Oh Erin, the view is so breath taking! Your angled shots are so impressive.

What an experience!

Take care, we all have very crazy weather!

Redzlan aka Tabib said...

Great architecture and nice blue sky.
I don't think I can ride that, phobia of height!.

Unseen India Tours said...

Amazing series of fantastic shots !! They are simply nice and beautiful !! Thanks for sharing !!

alicesg said...

Lovely photos of St Louis. Love the shadow cast by the Arch. Have a nice weekend.

Shannara said...

Fantastic captures. Nice shadow too...

Janice / Dancing with Sunflowers said...

Beautiful series of photos, Erin. I think you showed the first photo back in August? (Or if you didn't someone else showed one very similar!) Anyway, I think it's stunning - beautifully composed and love the shining metal against the sky. The shots from the top of the structure are great - a memorable day out. Hope you have a good weekend.
Janice.

MedaM said...

I am impressed with this post. It is interesting and exciting and for me also informative. I really enjoyed. You took great photos from up there. Thanks for sharing.:-)
Have a wonderful week!

Joe Todd said...

Outstanding SkyWatch post. Enjoyed all the photos and commentary. If I ever get there I'll know what to expect

Adrienne Zwart said...

Wow! Great captures! I'm not sure I knew that you could ride to the top. Thanks for sharing your view. :)

Maria said...

What a GREAT Sky Watch!
I loved all of your photos! The one that captures the reflection of the arch and the Mississippi is one of my favorites of the weekend!
Thanks for a great tour!
~Maria

Splendid Little Stars said...

wonderful, wonderful photos! I have driven by there on my way East from vacations out West but have never stopped. One time, we saw a rainbow right next to it.

earthtoholly said...

Wow, great shots, Erin! We were here about 4 years ago and the new stadium was under construction. We got some pics, which I posted awhile ago, but they didn't have the artsy feel of yours. I especially like your shot of the "pod" you take to the top. Wasn't that awesome? I just loved that tour. Have a great weekend! :o)

SandyCarlson said...

Utterly and completely amazing, surreal, beautiful, outstanding. Thank you.

Melissa B. said...

I'm a University of Missouri grad, so your Superior Snaps bring back some fond memories. FaBUlous!

Unknown said...

Beautiful arch and view. I was up there a long time ago...BEFORE I had a camera. I'd love to take my camera there now. I like the shot of the arch's shadow.

shaker said...

Quite a view.
This arch is impressive !

DeniseinVA said...

Those are spectacular photos Erin, what a fun trip up to the top. You've shown me a wonderful part of the US I hope to see one day.

Laughing Orca Ranch said...

Thanks for sharing this, Erin. I had no idea people could actually go up inside the arch! I've only been to the airport and haven't had the opportunity to explore the city yet. Your photos are simply amazing! Thanks for sharing.


~Lisa

antigoni said...

Amazing photos!!!

Anonymous said...

You do have some remarkable positions and locations in your post. I am envious.

Martha Z said...

Great shots and description of the arch.

Unknown said...

Well I learned something today, I had no idea you could do this!

Your shots are all great but especially that first one.

Janie said...

The view of the arch is so majestic, with only sky beyond.
Lovely views from the top, too. That's a great way to see the city.

Unknown said...

Wow. Good show. Finns are proud.