On July 4, 2018, Susan and I enjoyed the Independence Day fireworks at the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri (my home town). To avoid the traffic, we spent the night in a beautiful hotel just steps from the arch. In the afternoon, we ascended and descended the arch in the barrel-like ride inside its south leg. Although we were warned by a staff member to duck upon entering and exiting the barrel, I bumped my head both times.

The thoroughly renovated museum beneath the arch was worth the visit. As we viewed the film showing the breathtaking construction of this “Gateway to the West,” we were reminded that although it had been predicted that thirteen workers would lose their lives in the construction of the arch, none did.

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