bedside manner (room 890)

The hotel was nice enough. But it could have used a little modernization of the interior design, which felt stuck in 1996 or early 1997.

Also, my room smelled faintly of dill pickles.

On the other hand, I did get to make some photos and the rooms were very quiet and I slept well.

Saint Louis, Missouri
photographed 8.30.2026

PS – That big building across the street is completely vacant and there are two more towers exactly like it, also vacant. If the left-over signage is to be believed, the building in this photo was previously a Holiday Inn Crowne Plaza.

scrutiny

I felt seen.

Not in the “Yay! Someone noticed me, really NOTICED me.” way, but in the “Is there a camera inside that light?” fashion.

Saint Louis, Missouri
photographed 9.2..2026

not the one you think

Arch. Saint Louis.

In addition to THE arch, I found these arches. Their job was to hold up a ramp into a parking garage, and as far as I could tell they were doing what they were supposed to do.

(The parking garage itself is abandoned.)

Saint Louis, Missouri
photographed 9.2.2026

arch (with mesh)

I was in Saint Louis for a week; the hotel was across the street from the arch. I saw it many times every day and my challenge to myself was to photograph it from non-traditional angles.

This was made from inside the visitor’s center.

I want to note that my original plan was to spend time on the grounds of the arch doing street photography. That didn’t work out because it was SO HOT that people with any sense were inside an air-conditioned building. But the point is (I tell myself) that I thought about doing it and made the effort to accomplish it. Apparently I can not control the weather….

Gateway Arch
Saint Louis, Missouri
photographed 8.30.2026

inter/faith

I went to the chapel at the airport.

It’s all the way at the end of the terminal: it seems like anyone who is at the chapel found it on purpose. It didn’t strike me as a place where I could find solace or meaning or whatever I would have been seeking at a chapel.

Except, what I was actually seeking was a photograph of a liminal space at a busy and noisy facility. And I did find that.

Saint Louis Lambert International Airport
Saint Louis, Missouri
photographed 8.31.2026