Monday, September 21, 2015

Inside Arch

So, you ask, can you go to the top of the famous St. Louis Arch? Yes, and it's a very unusual tram system that takes you up, not for the claustrophobic or acrophobic. You climb into a small capsule with five tiny seats and not enough room to stand up.
It's a very unique system with several of these small capsules chained together; as they climb up the arch each capsule rotates to stay level, and the inside of the arch is visible through each capsule's small window. It takes about four minutes to get to the top, at which point you get out and climb the last few stairs.
The inside of the top of the arch isn't very big and looking through those windows you realize how high up you really are (630-foot or 192 m), with nothing between you and the ground. It was swaying noticeably when we were up there - it's designed to sway up to 9 inches in either direction while withstanding winds up to 150 miles per hour (240 km/h). But it's still an unsettling experience to feel it!
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15 comments:

  1. Sylvia KSeptember 21, 2015 at 9:34 AM

    These are awesome!! And what an amazing place! I almost got dizzy just looking at your photos!! What fun!! Thanks, as always, for sharing! Hope you have a great new week, Al!! Enjoy!!!

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  2. Fun60September 21, 2015 at 12:36 PM

    Even the views haven't sold that journey to me

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  3. RajeshSeptember 21, 2015 at 1:16 PM

    Interesting. I never thought it will be like this.

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  4. AnonymousSeptember 21, 2015 at 2:09 PM

    looks like an interesting experience! I don't know if I would like the swaying! Thanks for sharing:)

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  5. eileeninmdSeptember 21, 2015 at 2:16 PM

    Great images, It would be neat to see the view from inside the top of the arch! Thanks for sharing, have a happy new week!

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  6. carol l mckennaSeptember 21, 2015 at 2:41 PM

    Wow! What an intriguing ride ~ Great shots!

    Happy Week to you,
    artmusedog and carol

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  7. Photo CacheSeptember 21, 2015 at 4:16 PM

    Oh, the climb there would make me sweat. I'm a little acrophobic and claustrophobic - bad combo.

    Worth a Thousand Words

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  8. BarbSeptember 21, 2015 at 7:52 PM

    Al, your photos may be enough for me. I don't even like going through the Eisenhower Tunnel! I like the bar down on the chair lifts....

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  9. AndreaSeptember 21, 2015 at 8:16 PM

    OMG, i don't think i can make it as i have phobia with heights. I cannot even take the zipline above trees and ravines and rivers, but i envy people who can do things like you did.

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  10. Pat @ Mille Fiori FavoritiSeptember 21, 2015 at 8:59 PM

    My son and daughter -in-law did this once! I'd love to do it if I ever get a chance to visit St, Louis,

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  11. AnonymousSeptember 21, 2015 at 9:26 PM

    Now that must be an amazing ride!

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  12. s.cSeptember 22, 2015 at 2:24 AM

    Nice to see the arch now from the inside. That you don't see not so much as the outside. Thanks for showing.

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  13. TheChieftessSeptember 22, 2015 at 5:33 PM

    Interesting!!! I didn't know you could go inside of the Arch!!!

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  14. sonia a. mascaroOctober 2, 2015 at 11:49 AM

    Great photos, Al!
    I don't know if I will climb into a small capsule.....
    Thanks for sharing this pictures!

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  15. Katharine AOctober 9, 2015 at 1:11 AM

    That is so cool. It took me a while to work out what the top photo was, but then I got it & saw the seats & very small opening into the capsule. I love the tiny windows at the top. If I ever make it to the States, it's on my to-visit list.

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