Sunrise
at the
Arch!
How
can
I miss
that?
Early
breakfast.
Slip
out
at first
blush.
Quiet
streets.
The only sound
two cabbies
arguing...
about
nothing.
Gold
pours
on the
River.
Golden
streetlight
puddles
on
cobbled
streets.
The
soft
rhythm
of a
lone
jogger.
Burning
Dawnlight...
etches
The
Arch.
St. Louis
flowers
catch
the
Suncolor.
Pinocchio
greets
the
Day.
I love
biking
a sleeping
city.
I love
the people
I meet
while
most
people
sleep.
Juliette,
the Stair-climber
dreams
of
making
a million
dollars
Nameless
trash-pickers
dream
of 75 cents
per
pound.
Steve -
he just
dreams
of biking
a morning
in St Louis.
I'm
with
him.
I'm
back
at the
Arch
now...
to
rendezvous
with...
the
Alex
Arch.
We
peruse
the
map....
Pose
with
boyscouts.
And
we're
on our
way.
Go West,
Young
Biker!
West
through
charming
suburbs.
Sunday
morning
frisk
with the
dog.
Look!
Forest Park
is
bristling
with
boats!
Cardboard
boats.
Of every
color
and
shape.
Can
they
float?
asks Al.
We
don't
know
yet.
We
find out
when
the race
begins!
They
are
crazy,
these
St.
Louisians!
Bike
on,
Al!
We still
have
many miles
to go
today!
No,
don't stop
at the
Farmer's
Market!
Even
though
they tempt
you with
unholy
treats!
Then
again,
we can
bike
it off!
Besides,
Al
wants
to be
an organic
farmer, too,
someday.
She gets
advice
from
these
olive
growers...
while
I buy
sweet things
from
Miss
Jessie
Pearl.
The
beekeeper
lady
is
fascinating.
But
we
can't
stay
long...
we
have
many, many
more miles
to
go...
Al?
Al?
Where
are
you?
I should
have
known!
Where
there
is dancing...
Alex
will
always
be.
But
it's
good-bye
to our
farmers...
and
our
dancers...
and
back
on our
bikes...
But
we've
learned
a valuable
lesson
today...
When
you're
biking
cross
country...
Bike
the cities
on
Sundays...
there's
less
traffic...
and
more...
wonderful
distraction!