Tag: Downtown

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Flood Gauge

ellenparkerwrites

Sights and sounds along the downtown section of the the St. Louis levee vary with the season.

Fair weather and summer bring the most visitors. They explore the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial (The Arch) grounds and dine at a fine selection of sites in the restored buildings of Lacledes Landing.

One thing I always want to check is the Clark statue. Installed in 2006 to commerate the return of Lewis and Clark from their trip of Western exploration it stands on the levee in the shadow of the Eads Bridge.

A perfect position to judge the rise and fall of the Mississippi River. Unofficial, a good conversation starter – the water is up to Clark’s…….

...with dry feet in late September
...hat in early July
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Bridle Moment

ellenparkerwrites

On a fine, early autumn Saturday the horse drawn carriage business downtown thrives. With a steady clip-clop a single horse pulls a visitor up the brick paved streets of a historic district. The sound changes as they turn unto the asphalt paved street at the corner.

Patrons come in all sizes – from the small children with parents, a young couple having a romantic experience, or an out-of-town visitor desiring a leisurely tour.

I approach the entrance to the hotel and see her. The bride stands in the carriage – other girls of the wedding party are near – not a male member in sight. She surveys the scene through her dark glasses, adjusts her skirt with her tattoo clad arm, and picks up a faux fur purse with the other. She is an originial bride.

A moment to pause, note the silver dress of a young bridesmaid, conserative clothing of a woman with her. But then the highlight.

The flower girl, clad in long white dress and a veil secured on her head draping to mid-back stands on the edge of the sidewalk. She rises on her toes, extends one hand and gently pats the horse.

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Bridal Party

ellenparkerwrites

If cities have trademarks then the one for St. Louis would be “The Arch”.

Graceful stainless steel stands 630 feet into the air, legs planted firm near the riverfront. On any pleasant, or hot, summer Saturday the bridal parties come to record the day in photos with trees, the Arch, or the Grand Stairs as backdrops.

They arrive by limo, private car, or horse-drawn carriage. The men look their best in black or gray tuxedos and the women wear long dresses in reds, blues, silver, black and other colors chosen by the white clad bride. A light breeze lifts veils, plays with wide skirts, and ruffles delicate bouquets.

Click! Click! The digital moment is frozen in time.

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The Morning After

ellenparkerwrites

One Friday night recently our city hosted a baseball game with their strongest rival.

That same Friday I concluded a meeting downtown a short time before the game ended. My light rail stop hosted only a pair of us for the route west. The next stop, outside of the baseball stadium, we collected enough subdued fans to comfortablely fill the car. I held my curousity close – dare I tap on on the shoulder and aske the score? Ignorance was good in this case – the home team lost and these were fans leaving early. The big rush would be following.

The next morning I return for the next portion of my meeting. I exit the light rail in the underground station four blocks from the hotel. I climb the steps, past the lone individual liquor bottle (it moved a few steps from yesterday) and through stale beer scented air to the sidewalk.

The fans celebrate – win or lose – when the Cardinals host the Cubs!