Interesting Background on Missouri’s Gateway Arch

One of the most amazing tourist’s sights that has to be seen to fully appreciate is the Gateway Arch in St. Louis Missouri.  At 630 feet high it is the tallest monument in the United States.  The Washington Monument, though quite impressive is only 555 feet in height.  Equally a great sight to enjoy, the San Jacinto Monument in Texas doesn’t quite match it either at only 570 feet.

 

Gateway arch and reflecting pool in St. Louis,...

Image via Wikipedia

In 1947 St. Louis held a design competition to see whose design would be selected and built. 147 applicants entered the competition. The winner was Eero Saarinen an American/Finnish architect who had won some acclaim for his ability to successfully vary his style when the project demanded it.

Hannskarl Bandel was the structural engineer who took Saarinen’s design and made changes that were necessary so that the design could actually be built.  Bandel is recognized as the one who altered the inverted catenary shape so that it would work once actually built. Saarinen attempted to achieve a certain “soaring” effect that made the design appear slightly stretched. Bandel  took the chain Saarinen had been using, went away and returned several days later having constructed the exact curve to the arc the architect had been after.

The structure began on February 12, 1963 and took two years to complete, finishing in October of 1965.  The completed structure was as wide as it was tall at 630 feet becoming the tallest structure to hold people in Missouri.  Bandel had added weight to the first 300 feet of the structure placing over 25,000 tons of concrete into the arch’s foundation. This shifted the center of gravity down making the structure much more stable than it otherwise would have been.  But in the end he had brought into physical being the elegant and impressive design dreamed up by Saarinen, and creating one of the marvels in Western World.

Filed Under: The Unbeaten Path, Travel Tagged With: , ,

Traveling Overseas by Car.

Seal of the United States Department of State. 

Image via Wikipedia

Traveling through a foreign country by automobile is a great way to get an up close feel for a country and its people without being on a tightly fixed schedule. Driving in most countries requires some preparation.

The U.S. Department of State notes that Americans are killed every year in automobile accidents because they didn’t know the country’s driving rules and laws. The State Department offers severl suggestions. First and foremost, understand the driving rules and laws of the country. Because many countries do not automatically accept an American state driver’s license, it is best to get an International Driving Permit (IDP). An IDP is the international translation for a drivers license written in 10 different laguages. Other documents that should always be carried include auto registration documents, insurance certificates, passports and visas.

Automobile insurance requirement differ from country to country, so it is advisable to purhase additional coverage that is equivalent to the coverage carried at home. Remember that U.S. coverage does not always cover travel abroad. It is also important to carry a copy of the country’s driving laws, special road permits, Always buckle seat belts – failure will result in an automatic ticket. Another international rule is to honk the car’s horn when going around curves and blink headlights when passing another car.

Many countries require cars to carry reflective jackets and warning triagles in case of an accident. Finally, where the question of drinking while driving is concerned – this simple answer is don’t drink, period. Almost every foreign country has  severe penalties for driving under the influence, up to and including imprisonment for the first offense.

 

Filed Under: Transport Tagged With: , ,

Train Travel in the United States

Train travel 

Image via Wikipedia

Trains are possibly the most under utilized mode of transportation in the United States and yet, traveling by train is more efficient and enjoyable than traveling by air or automobile. Riding the rails is a relaxing and less stressful way to travel and at the same time, escape the fast pace of daily life.

Amtrak is the quasi-independent trail service funded by the U.S. government specifically for passenger service.  Amtrak operates several long distance cross country routes between major cities on the east and west coasts, as well as routes from Chicago to the west coast. While Amtrak’s long distance service has been criticized as slow and inefficient by European standards, the longer cross country trains have been hailed by some travel writers as a “great way to see America.” Travelers are particularly impressed by the full service dining cars, the upper level viewing cars and the camaraderie shared by fellow travelers. Amtrak also has the added advantage of connecting with local train service in most major cities.

Cost is one of the most attractive parts of traveling by train. Train fares are generally comparable to bus fares. On the other hand, the addition of a sleeping compartment to the fare makes train travel cost about the same as flying. While there are currently very few high speed Amtrak rail lines in service, the experience of slowing down and enjoying the trip more than makes up for the lack of speed. In fact, the joy of slowing down is one of the best parts of a train trip.

Trains remain a “civilised” and nostalgic way to enjoy the ride.

 

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Tips for traveling across the USA by car

Dreary Day on the New York State Thruway
Image by pobrecito33 via Flickr

So this year you and the family decided to take a road trip vacation. Good for you! They say you really get to see America when you travel by car. This great adventure requires some planning, so here are some tips to keep smiles on everyone’s faces.

You need to plan your route but be flexible. This may not sit well with those who like the spontaneous side of life, but some planning is necessary. Have a general idea of where you are starting and ending and your most likely route in between. Allow some extra time on your end date so you can indulge in that whimsy and take a detour to see the Corn Palace in South Dakota.

To allow all this flexibility yet thoughtful planning to work out, be sure to have plenty of maps and a reliable GPS system on hand. Reliable is the key word here. Always have a paper back up (maps) so you can double check routes when in doubt. You might consider having a vacation planning service help you to plan out your route and make useful suggestions for along the way.

But let’s not forget what you chose as your form of transportation, something else that needs to be reliable. The vehicle you choose should have ample space for people to stretch out, to pack luggage, and be comfortable to drive in for extended periods of time. Now you might be saving a bundle by taking to the open road, but just like any other vacation, you have to expect the unexpected. Make sure the oil has been changed, the tires don’t need to be rotated, and have the engine checked out to make sure you won’t be trapped on the side of the road. For those more spontaneous road warriors, simple knowing what options you have in the event of a mishap could be enough insurance for you to hit the road. Consider a wire transfer, a cell phone app with the ability to get cash loans or advances is planning enough not to ruin the whole road trip.

Now that you have your direction all figured out, where and when do you want to stop? Maybe you want to do something like follow the trail of Lewis and Clark (you might need a boat) and that will be the theme of your trip. But if you don’t have something that specific in mind, just how do you know what is worth stopping for and what isn’t? Invest in a couple guide books. Read reviews, look at them before you purchase them and get suggestions from friends, if possible. A couple books about the appropriate areas of the country are worth the cost of purchase if you select carefully. Also look at the web sites of the tourism offices for the states you will be traveling through.

Grab your keys and some road trip music and enjoy your car tour of the US!

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Make the Most of Your Vacation

Choosing what to do during your stay is one of the most important parts of a vacation. The hotel or resort that you choose to stay in will usually provide a number of pamphlets and brochures detailing local attractions that might interest you. Checking out the brochure display at the front desk is a great way to learn more about the area and find activities that the whole family will enjoy.

It is often the case that people on vacation choose not to look at the brochures in their hotels for a number of reasons. They may think that the places advertised in them will be the expensive ones that can afford advertising, or they simply may feel that the attractions will be too ‘touristy’. Unfortunately, these travellers often miss out on great experiences during their vacation. Whether you want a small restaurant that is cosy and authentic or a great amusement park to excite the kids, you can find it all in the brochures at your hotel. Many of them even have a number of discounts and special offers for you to take advantage of.

Of course, you do need to be a little careful of where you choose to spend time during your vacation. For example, many of the brochures will list places where you can buy souvenirs of your trip. As a traveller, you have to watch out for souvenirs that are overpriced and are not a good value. The golden rule here is that if you see something that you think is expensive, think about whether you would buy it at home. If the answer is no, you probably shouldn’t buy it on holiday either. You should also avoid souvenirs that are mass-produced, because the quality is often lacking. Buying your gifts in local market stalls or even supermarkets is another great way to keep costs down.

Filed Under: Tourist Attractions Tagged With: , ,
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