Freight Train, MacArthur Bridge

Riverfront

I never get tired of the view of downtown St. Louis from the river; maybe most people live out in the red brick neighborhoods out of sight of downtown, but looking at these glass and steel skyscrapers and one of the best monuments in the world still inspires me.

The Admiral Has Left the Levee

Above is an old photograph of the conversion of the Albatross to the Admiral, long an institution providing cruises up and down the Mississippi River. I never saw the Admiral in its glory days; by the time I visited the boat it was permanently moored on the riverfront. My family and I went to the grand opening of its retooling as a family amusement center; the air conditioning was broken and it was sweltering inside. I later visited it once to see its conversion to a casino, and it was obvious the boat has long seen better days. My students told me tales of grown men screaming at the sight of gigantic rats racing up and down the table games, while women always kept their purses in their laps to keep the cockroaches out of them. I wish the old boat could have been saved, but it was not to be.

Isolated by Hate

Something tells me Deloitte won't be buying my photo any time soon for promotional literature. I really need to take more profitable photos.

When the Levee Breaks

I love this sign; first of all, it has directions for RV's and cars, but it's facing away from anywhere someone in a car could see it. Secondly, it has a sign that says that there are riverboats to the left and right. You would have to be a complete idiot not to be able to see that already. Plus, there aren't actually riverboats in both directions any more.But you have to love this view of the Cahokia Power Station through MacArthur and Poplar Street Bridges.Here is the Eads Bridge.And finally, a look at the historic Belgian blocks of the levee, patiently awaiting the return of riverboats to the front door of St. Louis.

Music That Gets You In The Mood