EXCEPTIONALLY COLD weather, along with an unusual amount of snowfall this past Sunday, led to widespread difficulties, but also interesting photo opportunities.
The Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis in the snowstorm. I took this after Mass for the Epiphany, where very few people assisted — understandably. Fortunately, I have a car which is good in the snow, so I drove around town afterwards taking photos.
Lots of snow for this region.
Saint Louis University, with the spire of Saint Francis Xavier Church barely visible.
Most of the streets were empty, even major thoroughfares such as this one, and the blowing snow obscures the skyscrapers of downtown. Many of the traffic lights were malfunctioning.
There were a number of pedestrians, usually carrying grocery bags, and walking in the middle of the street, where the snow was not quite so deep.
Walking the dog is almost a necessity, no matter how cold — unless you are willing to do a cleanup inside. Very many cars were stuck in the snow, fortunately, there were volunteers helping out.
A view from the Eads Bridge. One of the pleasures of the day was the ability to safely stop my vehicle in the middle of any street or bridge, and take a few moments to take a photo.
The Gateway Arch, also (barely) seen from the bridge.
The Basilica of Saint Louis, King of France, popularly called the Old Cathedral, is shrouded in scaffolding for its first major renovation in over 50 years. This is being done now partially in honor of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the City of Saint Louis by Pierre Laclede and Auguste Chouteau.
Union Station. Nearly every business and office were closed this day — with the notable exception of grocery stores.
The massive railroad yard, which bisects the middle of the city.
Gates to Lafayette Park.
One of the ornate Victorian-era buildings in the Lafayette Square neighborhood, facing the park.
Geese on the wing in Forest Park.
Some of the geese, after they landed on the water of the restored River des Peres.
Winter is usually a good time for hiking in the forest, for you can see farther and aren't bothered by insects. But this afternoon was becoming increasingly cold and windy, and I must admit that I was miserable at this point. But upon getting back to my warm car, after an exhilarating hike, I was glad that I got out of the house instead of staying home.
In warmer weather, this bridge is a good place to see frogs, turtles, and water lilies.
The Victorian footbridge originally led to a railroad station, and for decades this was difficult to find because of overgrown vegetation. This photo might look a bit different from the others, because I took it with my cell phone, so that I could upload it to a friend who asked me to take a picture of it.
It wasn't quite clear where the road was, but that does not deter brave pedestrians.
The World's Fair Pavilion. The same scene, but under quite different circumstances, can be seen on the cover of my photo book, St. Louis Parks.
Art Hill, located between the Saint Louis Art Museum and the Grand Basin, is famous for sledding.
Awesome photos! I especially like the view of the Arch from the bridge. I keep hoping to have a day where there is no traffic on 141 over the Meramec in Valley Park so I can take a photo looking west over the river....
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