the works of god and man

As Campbell and I began planning our trip to Michigan from California, the one request he made was to see the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri.  Once we selected the route, Route 66 adjacent, the one thing that I wanted to take him to see was Meramec Caverns.   Fortunately, the two attractions are about an hour or so apart.  

Meramec Caverns are billed as Jesse James’ Hideout.  They were purchased and promoted by Lester B. Dill, a public relation master.  It is believed that he invented the bumper sticker, or at least was an ardent adopter.  He would hire young men to slap signs on the bumpers of parked cars as their owners were touring the caves, sending advertising all over the US.  He also had Meramec Caverns signs painted on the roofs and sides of barns throughout the Midwest. 

The last time that I visited the caves was probably in the 1970s.  But the great thing about ancient caves is that they only change about a millimeter every eon.  The outlaw lore and the beautifully lit passageways were also very reminiscent of my last visit.  I think that Campbell was slightly awed.

And the Gateway Arch didn’t disappoint either.  We arrived early in the morning and were able to take the second elevator to the top.  It was a cloudy day, so we couldn’t see much through the small windows.  But it was impressive nonetheless.  We had booked tickets for the morning’s eleven o’clock showing of the documentary of the making of the arch, which is my favorite part of the tour, but we were able to get into the ten o’clock show and be on our way.  Like cows headed toward the proverbial barn, we were ready to be off the road, tucked into familiar beds.  

This was my fourth crosscountry trip with Campbell.  Dave and I have taken him twice alone, and twice I’ve driven with his mother and his younger brother.  We’ve taken a different route every time.  At the culmination of this trip, I asked Campbell which trip he liked the best.  He said this one, because there were so many interesting things to see every day.  But then, I asked if he could pick one sight that we’d seen on any trip, which was the one he liked best?  It was the Grand Canyon, the first stop on our first trip.  He liked it because it was nature and made by God.  And his second favorite was the Gateway Arch, the last stop on our last trip because it showed what human beings can make.  With all that we’ve seen between, those seemed to be appropriate bookends.

Love, Liz