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Of course, the major St. Louis landmark, the Arch. Built on the shores of the Mississippi River to symbolize St. Louis's position as the "Gateway to the West", the Arch is bigger in person than you'd expect, and offers a lot of photography opportunities (as you can see on the excellent STL Daily Photo).
A big issue for the city is that the arch and the river are cut off from the rest of downtown, and while there is a Metro (light rail) stop to access the Arch (Arch / Laclede's Landing), it's not a straightforward path. It didn't occur to me until I had lived here for some time that they cannot develop along the river the same way one might along a lake or ocean shoreline, because the Mississippi is big, muddy, and prone to floods. Developing the riverfront and integrating it with the downtown under these circumstances (not to mention I-70 getting in the way) is a major challenge.
As a tangent, it's funny how growing up next to a body of water can shape you. I imagine growing up next to this river as a defining characteristic, something that runs through Mark Twain's writing, for example. I don't feel the same kind of affinity for the river lands, maybe because I grew up on the Great Lakes. I miss the water. On the other hand, someone who grew up next to the ocean might feel that the big lakes are missing something too, maybe the smell of the salt instead.
We finished off a great weekend in Illinois by going apple-picking at Mill's Apple Farm. The weather was beautiful, and now I have more apples than I could possibly eat before they go bad, so I'd better start making some baked goods with them.
I'll get back to some shots of actual St. Louis soon!
Another shot from out in Illinois. It was a beautiful day to be outside (although in theory we were out there to listen to talks).
Went across the river to Illinois for a mini-conference and back to the city today. The scenery along the Illinois River is very scenic, rolling hills and countryside. The road runs along the river for quite a long way - I'd like to take my bike out here for a ride, especially as the leaves begin to change.
Eggplants and tomatoes from the Burning Kumquat, Washington University's community garden. They have a table out over the lunch hour each Monday selling produce, and I figured this is probably the shortest food distance I'll be able to find, considering I don't have a garden of my own.
I used one of the eggplants and the tomatoes in a roasted vegetable pasta with goat cheese, and I think I'll use the other with lentils, onions, etc. in some attempt at Middle Eastern cooking.
I love my bike. I live without a car in St. Louis, and so my bike plays a vital transportation role. Sometimes it's a pain, but getting around like this has its benefits -- even if you have a car, it's good to get out and around by foot or by bike when you can. It makes good public health sense.
On a boarded-up building in Forest Park Southeast. Wishful thinking?
Again, from the community garden at Tower Grove and Gibson, an old washing sink (I think?) becomes a planter.
I think this is also some sort of repurposed machinery, but I can't tell what it is. It doesn't seem to be used as a planter, so perhaps it's just intended to be an ornament to the garden.
My camera is having some issues. It spontaneously shuts down, and takes forever to do anything. It's nothing fancy and several years old (and has been submerged in water to boot) so I guess I shouldn't be surprised, but it's never a good time to replace your camera!
Evangelical wastebin in Forest Park Southeast.
Mural in a community garden in Forest Park Southeast.
Balloon Glow in Forest Park last night, where everyone gets to see the hot-air balloons up close and personal before the balloon race today.
Always a fun event to check out.
Again at Washington University, a flash of colour among all the tasteful red stone. The campus is beautiful, but it drives me nuts sometimes how homogeneous the architecture is.
I found these neatly laid out just as you see them in the photograph and thought it was a little peculiar. Some animal starting to gather for the winter? Or a sign from one member of a secret society to another?
Five Rudders (1964), by Alexander Calder, is installed in the sculpture plaza at Mildred Lane Kemper art museum on WashU's campus. I like this piece, if nothing else for the flagship position it occupies in the collection -- it's something distinctive and recognizable. The museum itself is also worthwhile perusing.
Two layers of art and a would-be photographer in the same shot. I'm wearing a helmet because I was getting around by bike this day. The reflections didn't turn out the way I wanted them to, but I will post the picture anyway for posterity.
Forest Park borders onto the campus of Washington University in St. Louis:
Here's Brookings Hall, framed by the trees and path that lead out to Skinker Boulevard and behind, Forest Park. It's a beautiful campus -- I have a few more shots in the next few days before I continue on to other subjects. At this time of the year the campus is buzzing with the activity of another academic year, just beginning, but the weather continues to be beautiful and just summery enough.
Continuing with the tour of Forest Park I continue past the Missouri History Museum:
Outside the museum is an old trolley car -- the title "Loop Trolley" refers to the Loop neighbourhood to the northwest, which used to be the turnaround for all the trolley cars. Streetcars are no longer used in St. Louis. There's been talk of establishing a new Loop Trolley, with a streetcar line connecting the Loop to the History Museum in Forest Park, but it seems like such a short distance and I don't know who would end up using it, except for tourists. That has been debated elsewhere, though.
Another shot in Forest Park -- this time you can see some of the buildings of the Central West End, through the trees.
First post!
My goal is to post images & captions (hopefully daily, but we'll see) of the city I live in, St. Louis, MO, USA. I'm not a serious photographer, but I love how looking for pictures to take makes you appreciate the beauty of the world around you.
A pond in Forest Park, St. Louis's landmark park.
Of course, the major St. Louis landmark, the Arch. Built on the shores of the Mississippi River to symbolize St. Louis's position as the "Gateway to the West", the Arch is bigger in person than you'd expect, and offers a lot of photography opportunities (as you can see on the excellent STL Daily Photo).
