St. Louis, Arkansas, Tennessee

July 10-12, 2009
AC7987 YYZ-STL, UA8024 STL-ORD, AC508 ORD-YYZ

It had been a number of years since our last trip to St. Louis.  The last time through, we were on a bit of a road trip so didn’t have too much time.  With the nexus of a cheap flight, very cheap hotel and a free car rental, we decided to go back.  We were quite surprised when we landed to find that we were in the middle of the preparations for the MLB All Star Game the following Tuesday.  There were numerous baseball events as well as a free Sheryl Crow concert under the arch and in clear sight (and sound) of our hotel room.  Prior to the concert we took a drive to Arkansas and Tennessee, to satisfy both of our goals to make it to all 50 states.  With Arkansas done, I have only 3 more to go!  Despite the efforts of a rather inflexible UA agent in Chicago, we did manage to get on a nice Air Canada flight home before UA cancelled our original flight.

Jul 10
Flew to St. Louis and explored the city

Tom’s artful patriotic photo from our hotel

The St. Louis Western Expansion Arch

The St. Louis Arch from Laclede’s Landing

Eads Bridge (1874) over the Mississippi

Yet another arch photo

Old Courthouse decked out for the MLB All Star Game

Old Courthouse from our hotel room

Jul 11
Road trip to Arkansaw and Tennessee

Obligatory sign on the border

Apparently they do arches here too (built thirty years before the big one)

Crossing the Mississippi into Tennessee

The crowd clearing after the free Sheryl Crow concert under the arch

Jul 12
Home to Toronto via Chicago