Our Drive East to Shiloh, Illinois

Today, Eric and I are visiting my cousin, Marilyn, and other cousins who live in the Shiloh, Illinois area.  Part of our two hour drive includes traveling through Saint Louis, Missouri.






Our first glimpse of
The Gateway Arch.







Jefferson National Expansion Memorial was created in 1935 to celebrate President Thomas Jefferson's efforts to expand fledgling America and the explorers and settlers who made the dream reality.  It is overseen by the National Park Service.

Eero Saarinen's stainless steel Arch won the nationwide competition in 1948 to memorialize Saint Louis' role in America's westward expansion. Groundbreaking for the memorial occurred on June 23 1959. The final section, at the top of the Arch, was secured on October 28, 1965.  The Arch is 630 feet tall and is the tallest memorial in the United States.  Trams started bringing visitors to the top of the Arch in 1967.  Tram rides to the top are less frequent in the winter. Up to 6,400 people can take the tram to the top of the Arch in warmer weather.

The Arch with graffiti

& a road sign.

After Eric & I cross the
Mississippi River, we
enter Illinois.

Our next stop is Marilyn's

 house & an afternoon

sharing stories, laughter

 & hugs.