Took a ride into Saint Louis, and took the obligatory picture of the arch.
Then headed northwest a few miles to Portage des Sioux, Mo, where we lived when I was 6 or 7. Portage des Sioux is right on the Mississippi river and has a long walkway, extending into the river about 300 feet, with a large (50 foot) concrete Virgin Mary at the end, known as 'Our Lady Of The River'. I was not able to get to her, as the Mississippi was also near flood stage, and the walkway is currently under about 4 feet of water. I learned to ride a bicycle here, getting my first taste of the wind in my face, and the freedom that two wheels brings. The roads, which were all gravel then, are now nicely paved, and it was strange to ride through town on the motorcycle on those same streets, with the same smells in the air. It was also a perfect, beautiful day, sunny day!
Took 3 pictures:
1 - My bike with the Gateway Arch about 4 miles away in the background.
2 - Our Lady Of The River, stranded in a flooded Mississippi.
(the road my bike is parked on normally goes out much farther)
3 - The Sign - Portage des Sioux population 351
(gotta wonder - do they really repaint that sign everytime somone passes on or has a baby?)
