Although St. Louis was founded as a fur trading post, it is no longer well known as a place to view wildlife. But you can still spot wildlife. Yesterday my family traveled about 10 miles north of downtown St. Louis to the "Old Chain of Rocks Bridge," which spans the Mississippi River.

The bridge was for a time the route used by U.S. Route 66 to cross over the Mississippi. Its most notable feature is a 22-degree bend occurring at the middle of the crossing, necessary to allow river traffic to have uninterrupted navigation on the river. Originally a motor route, the bridge now carries walking and biking trails over the river. The bridge was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2006.

I do need to add that this was a brilliant use of an old narrow bridge. Click on the thumbnail for a panorama showing the view south from the bridge (Downtown St. Louis is on the horizon to the left). The bridge is located in a big wide relatively quiet area (except for one other bridge that runs parallel), where one can enjoy the Mississippi River and the surrounding undeveloped areas, just north of the Chain of Rocks rapids and a bit south of the confluence between the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers. For one weekend each year, this wonderful bridge is featured as the venue for Eagle Days, a prime spot for viewing American bald Eagles. This is rather cool, to be able to spot wild bald eagles right in the heart of the Midwest. Here's a bit more description of their migration relevant to the Mississippi. [More . . . ]