I remembered seeing a video about the construction of the arch, so I had this vision of this huge thing sitting astride the Great Mississippi River.
So back around 2013 I went on a random road trip to burn some vacation time, as I had too much and my wife couldn't get time off. So, I had a week, and my goal was to simply make it out to the Four Corners Monument, but...as I had dinner in Louisville. KY one night pondering my journey, I realized I simply didn't have enough time, so I put a map on the table, and blindly put my finger down.
It came down on Sheridan, NE. So, my trip would take me through St. Louis at 2 AM, and I resolved to get a look. (I was told not to try to go there after dark, as it was unsafe.
So, when the Arch came into view, I almost went off the road.
I felt nearly insulted! It wasn't as big as it had been made out to be in my mind. Granted, I am sure it was big, but I thought it was much bigger than it really was.
I found Sheridan, NE to be more interesting!
Your trip sounds interesting and fun! Husband used to do all his driving at night. I doubt he had the slightest interest in scenery. What he loved was the feel of the car wheel in his hands.
2005 RV Trip - On the Road Again - Willie Nelson
https://youtu.be/a4HBu4JiIMs
I liked the Gateway Arch...the ride up and the museum below, even though I got thrown out (ok, gently removed).
A couple years later I almost got shot by a security guard as I tried to get photographs of it from across the river. Met a nice Danish couple doing the same thing and enjoyed a dinner together.
It is 630 feet by 630 feet... has round elevator cars, is clad in stainless steel, and the metalwork inside was mostly assembled by Mohawk Indians from NY.
When I was younger I remember being in a truck crossing the Poplar Street bridge towards Missouri moments after some dingaling on a parachute tried to land on top. He succeeded, but didn’t get his by then-collapsed chute off quickly enough and a puff of wind pulled him along the north side of the curve. He had no chance to get through the trap door as traction on that steel surface was nil, so he slid a couple hundred feet down the north leg until he lost contact with it and fell the rest of the way, making a large pink splat on the pavement near the base.
We just saw the big splat and thought someone had tried to vandalize the arch with paint. Found out shortly after that was a parachutist.