Cell Phone Cycling Adventure

I love my Fridays this semester. No classes and few responsibilities at the seminary. Today I took full advantage of the schedule and the nice 75 degree weather for bike ride. The seminary is in the suburb of Shrewsbury, which is on the western border of St. Louis City. I rode south from Shrewsbury to the Mississippi River and then northward along the river toward downtown. Eventually I arrived at the Arch Riverfront and then hopped on the nice, new paved bicycle trail that runs along the Mississippi north of the arch. All in all, I rode 31 miles... a long ride for me these days.

On previous rides along this same route I took pictures of the Arch and other scenic things. This time I thought I'd take a few snapshots of less popular things you might not recognize. But all I had was my cell phone, and the cell phone camera is just not that good. Anyway, here's a trip to the riverfront.

This is Eads Bridge, just north of the Arch.

This is the Lewis & Clark statue along the riverfront. The water's high right now so it's almost underwater.

This is what that same Lewis & Clark statue looks like when the water's at a normal level. This picture was taken last year some time.

This "Union Electric Light and Power Company" building is just north of the arch. I believe it's still operational, as some newer equipment is nearby. This is in an area filled with abandoned, empty warehouses. The trailhead for the Riverfront Trail is just behind this building. This trail is sandwiched between the Mississippi River, the levee/flood wall, and the plethora of junkyards, barge loading docks, and miscellaneous industrial complexes. But because it's near the river it's not interrupted by traffic. It's been recently paved and is very nice. The trail goes on for miles from the Gateway Arch in downtown St. Louis to the Chain of Rocks bridge, where it crosses into Illinois. I've not ridden it all the way to the bridge, yet. But some day I'll get that far up the trail.

The flood wall that the trail follows is decorated with painting, sculptures, and signs. It appears they are installing "rest areas" where there will probably be park benches and so on. This is an area that's improving quickly.

This is what the trail generally looks like.

This is a shot of some cruddy looking tank that's near the path. St. Louis is full of stuff just like this.

Anyway, for my friends and family back home... I thought I'd share something a little lighter and less theological. This bike ride seemed appropriate, even if the photos weren't so great.