Crossing the Mississippi

On a bleak day in the city, I found it was time to escape once again, and searching through my trusty guide book I discovered another trip within fifteen minutes of the city. This time, I meant to cross the Mississippi on foot, using the decomissioned Chain of Rocks Bridge from the old Route 66. This bridge was retired from automotive traffic in the 60s, but has been maintained as a beautiful pedestrian hike spanning across the river for almost an entire mile in length. The bridge itself was built in 1929, and is one of the longest truss bridges in the world.




Here the river is wide but swift, and the wind howled bitterly from the north as well. Midway across the massive span, I crossed the line between Missouri and Illinois, and stared down at the muddy water below. I was right in time to see a duck decoy bob down the river! While it seems amazing that there was no boat traffic whatsoever here, the truth is that there is a canal, the Chain of Rocks Canal, which has been cut back a mile or so in the river. As a consequence, all shipping uses the canal, and so this stretch remains pristine and free from traffic.





Almost exactly on the state line was this beautiful little structure, which turns out to be an intake for the water treatment plant in the area. This was built in 1894, along with a second little structure that was also beautifully intriguing. Apparantly back in the day, even water treatment plants could look nice!

I will have to see about coming back on a sunny day, and capturing the river when it's looking its best.