 Archway Anecdotes #9 - Well it is called Archway Anecdotes After AllU.S. Figure Skating Correspondent What's a blog called Archway Anecdotes without something about the arch?
Notes from Friday, Jan 13
Friday
Morning
Woke up and got ready to have my first breakfast of the week and then head out to do the tourist thing for a few hours. All week the weather in St. Louis has been pretty warm and usually very clear. Today—snow. Wet snow.
My friends and I caught a cab from the hotel and had a friendly driver who is originally from Sierra Leone. He raved about the arch. He went on and on about how beautiful it is and how symbolic of being a gateway and looks toward new beginnings.
We were dropped off at the base of the stairs and hiked up to stand under the arch and looked up. Way at the top you can see very tiny rectangles that we later learned were windows.
Inside, we bought our tickets and waited for the 10:45 a.m. tram to the top. Both sides of the arch run trams, and we were sent to the south side. They asked everyone how many in their party and assigned numbers accordingly. We were given #7, as were a father and young son. We went through a mini museum and then watched a very short movie. The doors we were lined up in front of looked like something out of “Willy Wonka.” They were short, only four feet tall. We heard a quiet rumble and all eight doors opened and people walked out. We approached our pod and looked in. It was just more than four feet tall inside with five seats in a semicircle. Carefully, we all climbed in. It was very, very small, barely larger than an MRI tube. There were two small windows that looked out at stairs and railings and other interior arch things. The doors closed and we were in our tiny, tiny pod. It started moving up, and we could feel we were on an angle.
At the top of the arch, we climbed more stairs and got to the area that had the tiny windows we saw from the ground. One side looks east, the other, west. Because of the snow, there was not much visibility, but I tried to take some photos. Soon there was another tram, so we got back into the pod for the ride down. Because of the storm, the arch was swaying a bit. It wasn’t the best feeling, I’ve got to admit.
There is a museum in the area at the bottom. Time didn’t permit us to stay too long, but we walked through to get a quick overview of the history. I wish I had a few more hours to really take everything in and to watch the movies that detail the building of the arch. It was a very interesting experience, and I’m glad I took time out to ride to the top.
Afternoon
Got to the arena in time for the final group of junior ladies. After that I was on duty for pairs free. Maia and Alex Shibutani (intermediate dance champs and my supplier of hand warming packets) were volunteers for the day in the press center. One of the most valuable people in my life is the person who gets quick quotes - the statements from athletes after they get off the ice. The Shibutanis were on duty for pairs free, and I couldn’t have done it without them.
Evening
I finished my pairs article during the Zamboni break for the free dance. After turning it in, I went up to watch the final two groups. I didn’t have to write about the event, so I was able to watch and enjoy. Afterwards, it was the dance press conference, where I shot some photos and then came back to my corner of the press room to type up my blog. It’s a short blog tonight, but at least I have a photo to go with it. to top |