Going without a fixed plan or schedule has its advantages and disadvantages. I experienced both today.

After two overnight stops to sleep, I was well on my way. I had really only one goal today: to make it to the St. Louis Gateway Arch and ride it to the top. The first time I went west, with my dad, his girlfriend and her daughter we arrived after it had closed, so we only saw it from the outside. The past couple of times I was passing through St. Louis, either I again arrived too late or was on too tight of a schedule to stop.

Back to the Arch in a moment.

As I said, there are advantages to no fixed schedule or plan. When I see something that interests me, I can go see it. Today was that day: the Air Force Museum or more accurately: National Museum of the United States Air Force. A quick glance at my phone for the map showed I could give myself about 2 hours there and still make the Gateway Arch. I’ve wanted to visit this museum for years because of my interest in aerospace and because it has a few unique exhibits.

I ended up spending a bit more time here than planned, and far less than I would have liked.

There are three HUGE hangers full of aircraft and some missiles and more. It was well worth the visit. And the cost was in my budget: $0

When I got back to my car I panicked at first thinking I had miscalculated the time and I’d arrive in St. Louis too late. Then I remembered it’s in the Central Time Zone and I in fact had an hour and twenty minutes to spare.

So I set out. I had to make one stop for gas (well two, turns out the first place was actually closed, despite the signs still advertising it being open!, so that set me back 10 minutes.

So between the one gas station and parking, I was down to an hour before closing, which was 6:00 PM.

As I walked down the ramp to the entrance I saw a sign: Last tram runs one hour before closing. It was 5:00 PM. I rushed to the desk hoping against hope I’d sneak in under the window.

Well dear reader, I am sorry to say I was foiled again. The last tram of the day had left. I actually was nearly in tears.

That said, I was able so console myself with the fact that apparently tickets had sold out hours previously. So arriving 10 or 20 minutes earlier would have made no difference, and in fact arriving 3 hours earlier wouldn’t have made a difference.

I did spend some time in the museum itself and took some photos, so it wasn’t a complete waste.

And then headed west.

I’m typing this from a Mexican restaurant somewhere on I-44. I’ll remember the name later.

All in all, a day with some plusses and minuses. Next, find a place to sleep for the night and then figure out my plans for tomorrow and how many miles I want to put in.