Frank's Gateway Arch Experience

Hi, my name is Amanda Long! When Frank received the opportunity to come home with me I was unsure where we should go. I told Frank that my boyfriend and I had to go to Fairview Heights, IL to pick up a bridesmaid dress this weekend. I didn’t want to be rude, so I told him he could come along and we could go on some historic adventure. Frank said he didn’t want to be a 3rd wheel, but he would really enjoy visiting the Gateway Arch. I haven’t been to the Arch since I was a child, so I told him that was a great idea and he wouldn’t be a 3rd wheel! On October 16, 2011 we traveled a total of 202 miles to the arch and back home to SIUC. The Gateway Arch has the Latitude of 38.624901 and Longitude of -90.186317. Before we left Frank asked me if I knew much about the Gateway Arch, and to be honest I did not. So I told him this would hopefully be a learning experience for the both of us. We drove my car first to pick up my dress, which Frank thought was lovely, than we went to the Arch. At the Arch, we learned that the arch is the nation’s tallest monument, reaching 630 feet tall! The Arch is the centerpiece of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial in St. Louis, Missouri. There was a nationwide competition in 1947-1948 to design a monument in St. Louis honoring western pioneers. The architect Eero Saarinen (August 20, 1910 - September 1, 1961) won the contest with his sleek arch. Saarinen came up with this idea from Eads Bridge connecting Illinois to Missouri. Frank and I found all of this information out by watching a short video before traveling to the top of the Arch. Frank, my boyfriend, and I were surprised to see the small tram we had to ride to the top in. I think Frank may be a little claustrophobic, but we made it to the top without getting sick or having a panic attack. Frank enjoyed looking out the windows at the top, though he would have preferred the windows to be open so he could stick his head out and feel the air. We rode the tram back down, and traveled back to SIUC. This was a great experience for Frank, my boyfriend, and I. I think I can say we all had a great time!