St Louis
One of the finest libraries in the USA. It is a Carnegie-funded library completed in 1912.
I just stumbled upon it. It is not hyped at all. I think it is just as good as the New York Public Library. Amazing. — at St. Louis Public Library.
St Louis Public Library
St Louis Public Library
St Louis Public Library
St Louis Public Library
St Louis Public Library
St Louis Public Library
St Louis Public Library
St Louis Public Library
St Louis Public Library
St Louis Public Library. July 8, 2021
This started as a memorial for World War I, but then came to encompass all wars after that time. It occupies a prominent place on the central axis (mall) of St Louis that runs from the train station to the Gateway Arch.
This was dedicated by President Roosevelt in 1936.
St Louis used to be a world class city more than any other city I visited on this trip besides Chicago. — at Soldiers Memorial Military Museum.
Soldiers Memorial Military Museum and 22nd Judicial Circuit Courthouse
Cenotaph with the names of every St Louis citizen who died in a war since WWl
Soldiers Memorial Military Museum. July 8, 2021
Old Court House and the adjacent Citygarden Sculpture Park
The Old Court House was built and rebuilt between 1816 and 1864. It is part of the Gateway Monument park.
The Old Courthouse was both State and Federal. It is infamous for the Dred Scott vs Sanford decision which was referred to the Supreme Court. It is universally recognized as the worst decision ever made by the US Supreme Court (African-Americans were not US citizens hence not protected under the law)
In front of it on the central mall of St Louis is the Citygarden Sculpture Park. It is rather whimsical placed between the War Memorial and the Courthouse. — at Old Court House Saint Louis.
City Garden Sculpture Park
City Garden Sculpture Park
See through
City Garden Sculpture Park
City Garden Sculpture Park
City Garden Sculpture Park. July 8, 2021
Another incredible train station that has now been repurposed (thank God).
In 1894 when it opened it was the largest train station in the WORLD. St Louis - world class city. The train station is now a hotel, aquarium, event venue.
In front of the station at the end of the St Louis central mall, is the Milles Fountain (1940). It was SCANDALOUS due to all the nudity. — at St. Louis Union Station.
St Louis Union Station
Milles Fountain - 1940
Milles Fountain
Milles Fountain
Milles Fountain
St Louis Union Station
Great Hall, St Louis Union Station
St Louis Union Station
Toilets!! Wow - St Louis Union Station
St Louis Union Station
St Louis Union Station. July 9, 2021
This monument was planned back in 1935! A big chunk of old St Louis was razed in order to complete it.
The monument is the "Gateway to the West" celebrating the starting point for Lewis & Clark's expedition as well as the first big city on the west bank of the Mississippi. It later came to include the Old Courthouse as well.
The monument was also to honor Thomas Jefferson (because in 1935 there was no Jefferson Memorial in DC) but that became less of a focal point as time dragged on and he was honored elsewhere.
The Arch was completed in 1965. I didn't go up inside because of the pandemic. I have to say, my expectations were quite low and it was never on my list of "wannasee" places. It was, however, quite impressive!
5/5 I really would recommend people to visit! — at Gateway Arch National Park.
From the train window coming into town
Gateway Arch National Park. July 8, 2021
Wandering from downtown down to Soulard Market.
It was very rough in parts - St Louis is definitely a car-city.
My hotel - cavernous, empty
Poelker Park
22nd Judicial Circuit Court detail
Important in days gone by!
Courthouse detail
St Louis City Hall
Stifel Theater
22nd Judicial Circuit Court
Courthouse detail
Soulard Market
Soulard Market. July 9, 2021
Last few images of St Louis.
Walking to Soulard Market
Go Cardinals!
Biggest bar I have ever seen attached to a stadium
Cardinals Stadium
St Louis Federal Reserve Bank
St Louis Federal Reserve Bank
Eads Bridge and Old Man River (better captured the mood)
Laclede's Landing - the last remaining bit of "Old St Louis"
Laclede's Landing
Laclede's Landing
One line metrolink
Repurposed - a restaurant
Street art
St Louis Old Post Office
St Louis Old Post Office, repurposed public space!
St Louis Old Post Office
Courthouse detail. July 9, 2021
My assessment? For tourism with a car, 5/5. Lots to see.
On foot, the city is big and empty (and at times creepy). I am happy I visited but I felt strange most of my visit.
Cautionary note:
In my life travels I saw abandoned cities around the world as well as cities that had peaked and were in a state of benign decay. St Louis WAS one of the greatest cities in the USA. It has lost more population than any other US city. It once hosted the Olympics and the World's Fair. There is a Federal Reserve Bank there. The old city center, now almost abandoned, tells the tale of greatness lost.
I met a guy on the train leaving St Louis and he told me that most people now live in the suburbs and only commute to the city center for work or specific purposes by car and leave again. This might explain why you can pick up a luxury condo downtown for less than $100K
This is not the future. This is now.
Crossing Illinois
All photos from the train. On the way to Chicago from St Louis.
My original plan was to continue across Missouri to Kansas City, but COVID cases were starting to explode in Missouri so I decided to head north. — in Illinois.
Nice stadium for a small town! July 10, 2021
Chicago in the Rain (stopover)
I had to overnight in Chicago to catch the next train. It was a cloudy, cool, rainy day.
Union Station Chicago was built in 1925 and is the 4th busiest station in the USA. It is amazing to arrive and depart from there.
Chicago was teeming with people after seeing all those empty downtown areas. It was so strange to see so many people outside!
Chicago Union Station
Chicago Union Station
Chicago Union Station
Chicago Union Station
Chicago Union Station
Greektown (my hotel was here)
South Branch of the Chicago River
300 S. Wacker Drive
Bridge control tower
Willis Tower (which for me is the Sears Tower)
Under the Willis Tower
Willis Tower
Iconic Chicago
Under the El
Federal Reserve Bank
Time zones!!!
Chicago Board of Trade. July 10, 2021
Chicago Public Library - 1991. I love the spirit of continued architectural innovation.
Walking around downtown dodging rain showers.
Chicago Institute of Art. Ticketed, timed entry. Not possible for a blow-through visit. I was sad as it has one of my favorite collections in the USA.
Chicago Public Library
Chicago Public Library
Chicago Public Library
Chicago Public Library
à la Paris
Trains built Chicago
Michigan Avenue
Grant Park
Chicago Institute of Art
Chicago Institute of Art. July 10, 2021
Cloudy and rainy wandering as I killed time for my afternoon train to Milwaukee.
Even in the cool rain, I regretted not spending more time in Chicago in years past. I realized I had to come back and spend more time.
Buckingham Fountain
Buckingham Fountain
Buckingham Fountain
Buckingham Fountain
Buckingham Fountain
Buckingham Fountain
Wow!
Building detail
Reflection on granite
Crown Fountain
The Bean!
The Bean
The Bean!
Michigan Avenue
The Spearman, Congress Plaza
Daphne, Congress Plaza
Pho (Vietnamese noodles). I haven't had them in years. July 11, 2021
Milwaukee
Milwaukee!
I had no advance plan to go and stayed longer than expected.
The Riverwalk was one of my favorite parts of the city. I would say it is Dubai Marina meets Amsterdam from 100 years ago. — at Milwaukee River.
River Walk
River Walk
Milwaukee River
River walk
River walk
River walk
Ayyyyyy.....the Fonz
River walk
Milwaukee River
River Walk @ Public Market
Trestle Park view
Milwaukee River
River walk. July 11, 2021
Founded in 1888, the modern building by Calatrava is from 2001. The position on Lake Michigan is stunning.
Couldn't visit the collection easily, so it was just looking at it from the outside.
One of the most stunning buildings of the trip.
5/5 !! — at Milwaukee Art Museum.
Skyline from the museum
Milwaukee Art Museum
Milwaukee Art Museum
Milwaukee Art Museum
Milwaukee Art Museum
Milwaukee Art Museum
Milwaukee Art Museum
Cudahy Gardens
Milwaukee Art Museum
Reiman Pedestrian Bridge. July 11, 2021
Walking from the River Walk down to the lake and back. A lot of really stunning old buildings.
It was so nice to be back in a bar.... Rock Bottom Restaurant and Brewery
Yummy! Rock Bottom Restaurant and Brewery
Old City Hall
Old City Hall
Old City Hall
Pabst is everywhere! Pabst Theatre
North Jefferson @ East Wells Street
Cathedral of St John the Evangelist
East Wells Street
The Calling, East Wisconsin Avenue
East Wisconsin Avenue
East Wisconsin Avenue
North Jackson @ East Wisconsin Avenue
It was hot. LOL East Wisconsin Avenue
I saw this building in many of the cities I visited! I guess some styles were very popular. Milwaukee Federal Building & U.S. Courthouse
Milwaukee Federal Building & U.S. Courthouse
The Milwaukee Club. July 11, 2021
Walking from my hotel to the Library, US Courthouse and the old Pabst Brewery. The brewery area is a new "up and coming" place to live
Building detail, West Wisconsin Avenue
West Wisconsin Avenue
It's Miller time!! Miller Time Pub and Grill, West Wisconsin Avenue
Milwaukee Library
Spanish War Memorial, West Wisconsin @ North Tenth Street
Aux armes!! Victorious Charge, West Wisconsin @ North 10th Street
Fancy clubhouse. The Wisconsin Club.
Milwaukee County Courthouse
Milwaukee County Courthouse
Milwaukee County Safety Building
Old Pabst Brewery
Old Pabst Brewery
Herr Pabst in a beer garden. Best Place at the Historic Pabst Brewery
Historic Pabst Brewery
Historic Pabst Brewery. July 12, 2021
The stadium area and German Third Street then down to the Public Market and the Historic 3rd Ward (another trendy area that has been redeveloped).
Milwaukee was hugely German influenced in its early days as was most of the ex-NW Territory.
The Public Market is new and under a highway that cuts across Milwaukee. High marks for taking divisive dead space and turning it into something popular and useful!!. 5/5
Fiserv Forum
Turner Hall Ballroom
German Third Street
Superlative!! North Third Street (Dr. MLK, Jr Street)
Milwaukee Historical Society
Pere Marquette Park
Mitchell Building, East Michigan Street
Building detail, Mackie Building, East Michigan Street
Mitchell Building, East Michigan Street
North Water Street
Loved this place!!!
Public Market
Public Market
Public Market
Public Market
Historic Third Ward
Historic Third Ward
Historic Third Ward. July 12, 2021
Along the Menomonee River and the Harley Davidson Factory.
Lake Michigan and parks.
Menomonee River
Harley Davidson
Harley Davidson
East Clyborne Street
Hank Aaron State Trail
Lakeshore State Park
bluebird photo bombed, Lakeshore State Park
Lakeshore State Park
Lakeshore State Park
Daniel W. Hoan Bridge and the Kinnickinnic River
Milwaukee Pierhead Lighthouse
Lakeshore State Park Inlet and downtown. July 13, 2021
I never intended to travel to Milwaukee on this trip. It just kind of happened. It was very much like Cleveland but a little less rough. It also did not suffer from "empty city" complex that I experienced in many other places. All in all, I liked it. Going to a place with no expectations is probably always best as you can't be disappointed.
I give it 4.5 from 5. Not full marks because it is rough around the edges. I do highly recommend visiting!
Crossing Wisconsin
Crossing Wisconsin. Views from the train window.
Wisconsin has always been one of my favorite states!
Wisconsin Dells
July 13, 2021
Upper Mississippi River, Minnesota
The upper Mississippi River from the train.
This is the second time I have visited this region (last time was in Iowa). It really is a beautiful, underappreciated part of the USA. 5/5
July 13, 2021
St Paul, MN
Arrival in St Paul and my luxe hotel. It is so unfortunate that I only had one day and I had to cram in as much as possible. It was the fastest city trip of my travel.
The train station is another cavernous station that is multipurposed yet with only 2 trains a day. At least they are maintaining it.
The rest of the photos are downtown. The park with all the Peanuts characters was great to stumble upon.
St Paul Union Depot
What an arrival!
St Paul Union Depot
St Paul Union Depot
St Paul Union Depot
Ex Customs House - (now condo and hotel)
Wow, one of the best rooms on the trip
Metro Blue Line
Mears Park
Mears Park
The Saint Paul Hotel
Landmark Plaza was filled with Peanuts sculptures!! (a favorite find in St Paul)
Rice Park
Landmark Plaza and Rice Park
Rice Park
Rice Park
St Paul Public Library
Rice Park
The Landmark Center (old Post Office) is a focal point of the old downtown. The sheer size of it was amazing. I was happy it was lovingly preserved.
Up on the hill down from the capitol is Summit Avenue where all the rich founders of St Paul built homes. Mansion after mansion. It was a Beverly Hills before there was Beverly Hills.
Landmark Center - the old post office built in 1902. Now it is the focal point of old downtown.
Landmark Plaza
Landmark Plaza
Landmark Plaza
Landmark Plaza
Landmark Plaza
St Peter Street
East Exchange Street
James J. Hill House, Summit Avenue
Summit Avenue - stately, old homes
Summit Avenue - stately, old homes
It was a rare house that became public so I could see the backyard and the view.
Summit Avenue - stately, old homes
Completed in 1905.
It has a wonderful situation overlooking the city and river in a huge park.
It was my 5th and final state capitol of the trip.
Minnesota Workers Memorial
Capitol Steps
Capitol Steps
Capitol Entrance
Cathedral of St Paul
Finished in 1915. It is one of the largest churches in the USA and the only church dedicated to St Paul in North America.
The architect worked on the St Louis World's Fair.
It is one of the most impressive religious structures in the USA akin to St Patrick's in NYC or National Cathedral in Washington, DC.
It is right down the street from the capitol and has a very good position overlooking the city.
5/5
Irvine Park is a great old neighborhood of wooden houses near the river.
The riverfront is a series of walkways and parks these days. It has been nicely renovated. It was filled with walkers and joggers.
High Bridge gives great views over the city.
For a one day visit (I walked all these places), I think I saw the highlights of St Paul. Due to the difficulty of using my rail pass I had to be on the train back toward Chicago so there was no time for Minneapolis. People say St Paul is "better", but who knows?
Hope Breakfast Bar
Irvine Park - a really nice old neighborhood
Irvine Park
Irvine Park
Irvine Park
Irvine Park
Down on the Mississippi
Riverfront
Upper Landing Park
Robert Street Bridge and railway bridge
Robert Street Bridge and railway bridge
Smith Avenue before High Bridge
Smith Avenue Bridge (High Bridge) Great views over the city and river
High Bridge Overlook
High Bridge Overlook
High Bridge Overlook
Old German restaurant!
Beer, soft pretzel, mustards. This PA guy approved!! July 14, 2021
4/5 St Paul is a nice place but not easy to walk around and not very centralized. It used to be a very wealthy city.
Red Wing, MN
Red Wing was described as a great stopover on Amtrak's "Empire Builder". I agree!
Little train station and my swanky hotel!
Red Wing Station
Red Wing Station
Red Wing Station
St James Hotel
LaGrange Park
LaGrange Park
This was my room. Yes, I laughed a lot. St James Hotel
One of my best hotel room views of the trip! St James Hotel
St James Hotel
St James Hotel
St James Hotel. July 15, 2021
Classic American small town stuff!!
They even have a shoe factory (Red Wing shoes - buy American if you see them).
Great River Road
Mandy's Coffee and Cafe
Gementz Auto Service
Gementz Auto Service
Goodhue County Government Center
Goodhue County Government Center
Goodhue County Health and Human Services
Central Park Bandshell
Sheldon Theatre
Post Office
Great River Road
Red Wing Shoe Company
Red Wing Shoe Company
Liberty's Restaurant and Lounge
Great River Road
Red Wing Station - foggy morning
Foggy Morning, Bush Street. July 15, 2021
Down by the Lazy River.
Red Wing has a lot of riverside parks and marinas. The upper Mississippi is an amazing place.
To top it off, sometimes a huge barge floats by on its way to the OCEAN a long way off! wow
Levee Park
riverside path
Barge on the Mississippi
Red Wing Grain
Barn Hill in the distance
Bay Point Park
Red Wing Bay
Red Wing Eisenhower Bridge
Red Wing Eisenhower Bridge view
Colvill Park
Colvill Park
Colvill Park
Foggy Morning, Levee Park. July 15, 2021
Two views over Red Wing - Barn Bluff and Memorial Park.
Overall, Red Wing was one of the best small towns I visited on the whole trip. Nice small downtown, riverside, and some great viewpoints.
Barn Hill
Barn Hill
Barn Hill
Tired and hot
Waiting for Julie Andrews
Barn Hill (opposite side)
Barn Hill (opposite side)
Path up to Memorial Park
View of Barn Hill from Memorial Park
Red Wing from Memorial Park. July 16, 2021
If you are in Minneapolis-St Paul, it is really worth the trip. 5/5
Pierce County Islands, WI
Across from Red Wing was this huge wetland preserve! It is off limits to boats but I bet it's a great place for bird watching.—at Pierce County Islands State Public Hunting Grounds.
Under the Red Wing Eisenhower Bridge. July 16, 2021
Chicago (a break inside the trip)
July 18-22 I took a break from travel and had some big city pleasure in sunny, summer Chicago (see: Chicago)
Chicago River July 19, 2021
Ohio River Valley, PA
The train follows the Ohio River closely in its short stretch in PA.
All these photos are from the train.
I never really thought of the Ohio River being in Pennsylvania at all
Eating on Amtrak during the pandemic means basically - no food. July 22, 2021
Walking across Washington, DC
On the day before my 60th birthday I walked across Washington, DC - I saw old and new things. I waxed nostalgic.
Maybe it was good to revisit the place I started my adult journey.
Gallery Place Metro
Chinatown
National Portrait Gallery
Portrait Gallery Atrium
Woody's
White House
Old Executive Office Building
Renwick Gallery
Washington Circle
C&O Canal, Georgetown
C&O Canal, Georgetown
Washington Harbor
Georgetown Waterfront Park
Dixie Liquor
Exorcist Stairs
Wisemillers
Good memories
White Gravenor
Georgetown
Georgetown
Dupont Circle
Logan Circle
Logan Circle
1300 Massachusetts Avenue (used to live here)
Franklin School (now Museum of Language) July 23, 2021
The Big Day!
The big 6-0.
Morning was with one of my oldest friends in Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens which is one of those DC attractions that mostly locals go to. July is when the lotuses bloom!
The afternoon was a walk to the Franciscan Monastery which I visited on a 6th grade trip! I took a walk in a garden that imitated sites in the Holy Lands which by now I have visited in person. In the 6th grade I doubt I ever would have dreamed that big!
The evening was well spent at a favorite restaurant with my dear friends whose home has always been my place of refuge when life places a storm in my path.
I feel gratitude. I feel trepidation. At last, I am old.
Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens
Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens
Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens
Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens
Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens
Franciscan Monastery
Franciscan Monastery
Franciscan Monastery
Franciscan Monastery
Birthday dinner venue
Happy Birthday!!! July 24, 2021
Matt's Review of his Diamond Jubilee Trip:
Best cities: Columbus, Indianapolis, and Chicago. Mostly this is just based on their being "alive" with a people vibe. Springfield, IL for being frozen in time but still functioning.
Best small towns: Marietta, OH and Red Wing, MN.
Best parks: Hocking Hills State Park, OH; Clifty Falls State Park, IN; and Mt Echo Park, Cincinnati
Best Architecture: Indianapolis, St Louis, Milwaukee, Chicago
Best Train Stations: Chicago, St Paul, Cincinnati, St Louis
Best restaurants: Fisher's Cafe and Pub, Cuyahoga National Park, OH ; Waldmann Brewery, St Paul, MN; and Incline Pub, Cincinnati, OH.
Best tourist attraction: Buffalo Trace Distillery, Frankfort, KY.
Best Places I wasn't eager to see: Indy Speedway Museum, Indianapolis; Gateway Arch, St Louis
Best hotels: Lafayette Hotel, Marietta, OH; Carpenter Street Hotel, Springfield, IL (pure helpfulness and friendliness); St James Hotel, Red Wing, MN
Best buildings: Heinen's, Cleveland; St Louis Public Library; Old Chicago Public Library; St Paul's Cathedral, St Paul, MN
Worst experience: As I age so I see what around me ages. I saw too many cities that were ghosts of what they had been.
Like many of my journeys, I just travelled to points on maps or names I heard of. This turned out to be one of my best trips in the USA. I learned a lot and I saw many beautiful things in unexpected places.
COVID dictated much of the trip in negative ways, but there were some silver linings - riding one of the tour boats on the Chicago River on a sunny day and being the only passenger. I felt like I was in a movie!! and, of course, COVID made for a bonanza of "no people" photos!! — feeling grateful.
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