Gateway Arch National Park and the St. Louis Arch, Missouri: Travels in the USA

(Travelogues--Travels in the USA)

Gateway Arch National Park and the St. Louis Arch, Missouri: Travels in the USA

This is video of the Saint Louis Arch, and some of the surrounding area.  Our guide told us that the surrounding area and the arch had been designated as one national park--Gateway Arch National Park.  We took a guided tour of this area, and because I didn't want to be rude to the guide, I wasn't filming through most of the tour, but I did get some footage of the Old Courthouse (where the Dred Scott case happened).  It was crowded at the Saint Louis arch, and I was busy watching my kids, but I got some footage from inside, and filmed the cable car ride going up.  And then we also filmed some of the park underneath the arch once we got down.

This is part of my project to document my family's travels in the USA.  For more information on this project, see here: https://joelswagman.blogspot.com/2026/07/travels-in-usa-index.html

Related Playlists:

Travelogues Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOY-0V_l_9x71JnPJ1gs_uaswSALX-7V9

Travels in the USA Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSyBwmNz6w5o&si=twqhcTKQk8a0WyoI

Missouri Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGAr6k9_NAfY&si=gTEc6b_31vkq50ws

St. Louis, Missouri Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAmf50xXkm4Q&si=J2OGaffiK4fpOeI7

Saint Louis Zoo, St. Louis, Missouri: Travels in the USA

(Travelogues--Travels in the USA)

Saint Louis Zoo, St. Louis, Missouri: Travels in the USA

The Saint Louis Zoo was absolutely packed with people, and so, in order to minimize filming strangers without their permission, I did my best to try to aim my camera only at the animals and not at the people.  The result is that I wasn't really able to document the overall look of the zoo and the walkways, but hopefully this gives some sort of taste of what the zoo is like.

Address: 1 Government Dr, St. Louis, MO 63110

This is part of my project to document my family's travels in the USA.  For more information on this project, see here: https://joelswagman.blogspot.com/2026/07/travels-in-usa-index.html

Related Playlists:

Travelogues Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOY-0V_l_9x71JnPJ1gs_uaswSALX-7V9

Travels in the USA Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSyBwmNz6w5o&si=twqhcTKQk8a0WyoI

Missouri Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGAr6k9_NAfY&si=gTEc6b_31vkq50ws

St. Louis, Missouri Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAmf50xXkm4Q&si=J2OGaffiK4fpOeI7

Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, Springfield, Illinois: Travels in the USA

(Travelogues--Travels in the USA)

Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, Springfield, Illinois: Travels in the USA

Also includes some video of the nearby area.

For better or for worse, I wasn't able to capture a lot of the Lincoln Presidential Museum.  For a few reasons.  There were some other groups going through, and I wasn't able to film some exhibits because other people were in the way.  (I didn't want to film anyone else without their permission).  Or other people were right behind me waiting, in some cases.  Also my kids weren't interested in most of the exhibits, so I was spending a lot of time just trying to keep track of my kids.

There actually were some impressive interactive exhibits at this museum.  (One of the museum clerks told me that the museum was designed by the same animatronics people who worked at Disney World.)  But my kids were probably just a bit too young for it.  This museum would probably be ideal for kids about 10-12 years old.

Address: 212 N 6th St, Springfield, IL 62701

This is part of my project to document my family's travels in the USA.  For more information on this project, see here: https://joelswagman.blogspot.com/2026/07/travels-in-usa-index.html

Related Playlists:

Travelogues Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOY-0V_l_9x71JnPJ1gs_uaswSALX-7V9

Travels in the USA Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSyBwmNz6w5o&si=twqhcTKQk8a0WyoI

Illinois Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcfr_SnFEpto&si=H96JxHRaZhO1ULYk

Kankakee River, Illinois: Travels in the USA

(Travelogues--Travels in the USA)

Kankakee River, Illinois: Travels in the USA

When travelling down expressway 55, take the exit for North River Road.  

This is part of my project to document my family's travels in the USA.  For more information on this project, see here: https://joelswagman.blogspot.com/2026/07/travels-in-usa-index.html

Related Playlists:

Travelogues Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOY-0V_l_9x71JnPJ1gs_uaswSALX-7V9

Travels in the USA Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSyBwmNz6w5o&si=twqhcTKQk8a0WyoI

Illinois Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcfr_SnFEpto&si=H96JxHRaZhO1ULYk

Washington Park, Michigan City, Indiana: Travels in the USA

(Travelogues--Travels in the USA)

Washington Park, Michigan City, Indiana: Travels in the USA

Address: 6 On the Lake, Michigan City, IN 46360

This is part of my project to document my family's travels in the USA.  For more information on this project, see here: https://joelswagman.blogspot.com/2026/07/travels-in-usa-index.html

Related Playlists:

Travelogues Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOY-0V_l_9x71JnPJ1gs_uaswSALX-7V9

Travels in the USA Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSyBwmNz6w5o&si=twqhcTKQk8a0WyoI

Travels in the USA Index

Illinois--playlist

* Kankakee River

* Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, Springfield

Indiana

* Washington Park, Michigan City

Michigan

* Guide to West Michigan

Missouri--playlist

* Saint Louis Zoo, St. Louis

* Gateway Arch National Park and the St. Louis Arch

Explanation

Now that we've finally moved back to the USA, my wife and daughter both want to see all 50 states.  So I've decided this would be a fun project to chronicle.  This will be a long term project.  We saw a few of the states on our trip this summer.  Maybe we'll catch a couple more next year.  Who knows if we'll ever get to all 50 or not, but at least we can have fun trying.

I took a bit of video from each state we visited on our summer trip, and I'll be posting them on this blog.  For a number of these locations, it was impossible for me to document the area thoroughly, for various reasons (e.g. too many other people, we needed to move quickly, I had to keep track of the kids, I didn't want to be rude to our guide, etc.)  So for some of these places, particularly they more touristy places, these videos represent only little glimpses an area, and are not intended to document the area thoroughly.

Complete Playlist HERE:

Douglass Walker Park, Byron Township: Guide to West Michigan

(Travelogues--West Michigan)

Douglass Walker Park, Byron Township: Guide to West Michigan

Address: 1195 84th St SW, Byron Center, MI 49315

This video also includes some of Kent Trails, and Winchester Cemetery (76th St SW, Byron Center, MI 49315)

This is part of my project to document places of interest in West Michigan.  For more information on what this is and why I'm doing it, see the bottom part of this blog post here: https://joelswagman.blogspot.com/2026/01/guide-to-west-michigan.html

Related Playlists:

Travelogues Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOY-0V_l_9x71JnPJ1gs_uaswSALX-7V9

West Michigan Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOY-0V_l_9x4D-0HPmovcbB6cCqlVVGEL&si=IEFmZ3UMgJxI0F4F

Kent County Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOY-0V_l_9x5EOMa9ZWDBtdpQFwtlk_ev&si=t8952PnDfrJQTvBY

Byron Township Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfeHvIGFD3DU&si=_o6B-gX14XHUi0Gr

Caledonia Lakeside Park, Caledonia: Guide to West Michigan

(Travelogues--West Michigan)

Caledonia Lakeside Park, Caledonia: Guide to West Michigan

Address: 370 N Lake St SE, Caledonia, MI 49316

This is part of my project to document places of interest in West Michigan.  For more information on what this is and why I'm doing it, see the bottom part of this blog post here: https://joelswagman.blogspot.com/2026/01/guide-to-west-michigan.html

Related Playlists:

Travelogues Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOY-0V_l_9x71JnPJ1gs_uaswSALX-7V9

West Michigan Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOY-0V_l_9x4D-0HPmovcbB6cCqlVVGEL&si=IEFmZ3UMgJxI0F4F

Kent County Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOY-0V_l_9x5EOMa9ZWDBtdpQFwtlk_ev&si=t8952PnDfrJQTvBY

Caledonia Township Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLMPTCNSt3mbI&si=w-ovhmeg_CJucpCv

Caledonia Village Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBxx1EBs1kjY&si=5LVXkUIBQN8vzxF2

Revisiting Grand River Riverfront Park in Summer: Guide to West Michigan

(Travelogues--West Michigan)

Revisiting Grand River Riverfront Park in Summer: Guide to West Michigan

Video of my previous trip: https://youtu.be/zMXJvPchCr4

Address: 12570 Grand River Dr SE, Lowell, MI 49331

Also includes: Lowell Timber Footbridge and Lowell Area Trailway

This is part of my project to document places of interest in West Michigan.  For more information on what this is and why I'm doing it, see the bottom part of this blog post here: https://joelswagman.blogspot.com/2026/01/guide-to-west-michigan.html

Related Playlists:

Travelogues Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOY-0V_l_9x71JnPJ1gs_uaswSALX-7V9

West Michigan Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOY-0V_l_9x4D-0HPmovcbB6cCqlVVGEL&si=IEFmZ3UMgJxI0F4F

Kent County Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOY-0V_l_9x5EOMa9ZWDBtdpQFwtlk_ev&si=t8952PnDfrJQTvBY

Lowell Township Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOY-0V_l_9x4EtIjQDNap8FOdiCWbmdDm&si=TXvlm31f1oeO_Jiq

Bradford Dickinson White Nature Preserve, Lowell Township: Guide to West Michigan

(Travelogues--West Michigan)

Address: 12589 36th Street, Lowell, MI

This is part of my project to document places of interest in West Michigan.  For more information on what this is and why I'm doing it, see the bottom part of this blog post here: https://joelswagman.blogspot.com/2026/01/guide-to-west-michigan.html

Related Playlists:

Travelogues Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOY-0V_l_9x71JnPJ1gs_uaswSALX-7V9

West Michigan Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOY-0V_l_9x4D-0HPmovcbB6cCqlVVGEL&si=IEFmZ3UMgJxI0F4F

Kent County Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOY-0V_l_9x5EOMa9ZWDBtdpQFwtlk_ev&si=t8952PnDfrJQTvBY

Lowell Township Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOY-0V_l_9x4EtIjQDNap8FOdiCWbmdDm&si=TXvlm31f1oeO_Jiq

Rockford Dam Overlook, and some of the nearby walking areas: Guide to West Michigan

(Travelogues--West Michigan)

Rockford Dam Overlook, and some of the nearby walking areas: Guide to West Michigan

Places Visited in this video:

Rockford Dam Overlook: 215 N Main St, Rockford, MI 49341

White Pine Trail

Pickett Park

Richardson-Sowerby Park: 65 S Main St, Rockford, MI 49341

Rockford Dog Park

Peppler Park 3 E Bridge St NE, Rockford, MI 49341

Rogue River Nature Trail

This is part of my project to document places of interest in West Michigan.  For more information on what this is and why I'm doing it, see the bottom part of this blog post here: https://joelswagman.blogspot.com/2026/01/guide-to-west-michigan.html

Related Playlists:

Travelogues Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOY-0V_l_9x71JnPJ1gs_uaswSALX-7V9

West Michigan Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOY-0V_l_9x4D-0HPmovcbB6cCqlVVGEL&si=IEFmZ3UMgJxI0F4F

Kent County Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOY-0V_l_9x5EOMa9ZWDBtdpQFwtlk_ev&si=t8952PnDfrJQTvBY

Rockford City Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLeN6a7AQndiI&si=56-iNLpBVEs5Mh_F

Johnson Park, Walker City: Guide to West Michigan

(Travelogues--West Michigan)

Johnson Park, Walker City: Guide to West Michigan

Address: 2600 Wilson Ave SW, Walker, MI 49534

This is part of my project to document places of interest in West Michigan.  For more information on what this is and why I'm doing it, see the bottom part of this blog post here: https://joelswagman.blogspot.com/2026/01/guide-to-west-michigan.html

Related Playlists:

Travelogues Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOY-0V_l_9x71JnPJ1gs_uaswSALX-7V9

West Michigan Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOY-0V_l_9x4D-0HPmovcbB6cCqlVVGEL&si=IEFmZ3UMgJxI0F4F

Kent County Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOY-0V_l_9x5EOMa9ZWDBtdpQFwtlk_ev&si=t8952PnDfrJQTvBY

Walker City Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOY-0V_l_9x6R67ZEz-QsoXASH8rPzn94&si=bMsCWPuhKVxj46yw

John Ball Park, Grand Rapids: Guide to West Michigan

(Travelogues--West Michigan)

John Ball Park, Grand Rapids: Guide to West Michigan

Address: 1300 Fulton St W, Grand Rapids, MI 49504

This is part of my project to document places of interest in West Michigan.  For more information on what this is and why I'm doing it, see the bottom part of this blog post here: https://joelswagman.blogspot.com/2026/01/guide-to-west-michigan.html

Related Playlists:

Travelogues Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOY-0V_l_9x71JnPJ1gs_uaswSALX-7V9

West Michigan Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOY-0V_l_9x4D-0HPmovcbB6cCqlVVGEL&si=IEFmZ3UMgJxI0F4F

Kent County Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOY-0V_l_9x5EOMa9ZWDBtdpQFwtlk_ev&si=t8952PnDfrJQTvBY

Grand Rapids Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOY-0V_l_9x73ypfpMOZfYbKtensuu4B_&si=96WBxbMtcrLrVFp3

Revisiting Roselle Park in Summer: Guide to West Michigan

(Travelogues--West Michigan)

Revisiting Roselle Park in Summer: Guide to West Michigan

My first video on Roselle Park: https://youtu.be/bT-YVXrsZ64

Address: 1010 Grand River Dr NE, Ada, MI 49301 

This is part of my project to document places of interest in West Michigan.  For more information on what this is and why I'm doing it, see the bottom part of this blog post here: https://joelswagman.blogspot.com/2026/01/guide-to-west-michigan.html

Related Playlists:

Travelogues Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOY-0V_l_9x71JnPJ1gs_uaswSALX-7V9

West Michigan Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOY-0V_l_9x4D-0HPmovcbB6cCqlVVGEL&si=IEFmZ3UMgJxI0F4F

Kent County Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOY-0V_l_9x5EOMa9ZWDBtdpQFwtlk_ev&si=t8952PnDfrJQTvBY

Ada Township Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOY-0V_l_9x4wNsw_zHE0L7HrkSYPaBuV&si=7gzHNdFhq6iauNhe

Revisiting Cascade Peace Park in Summer: Guide to West Michigan

(Travelogues--West Michigan)

Revisiting Cascade Peace Park in Summer: Guide to West Michigan

My first video on Cascade Peace Park: https://youtu.be/HIOedwJgKj4

Address: 8900 Grand River Dr SE, Ada, MI 49301

This is part of my project to document places of interest in West Michigan.  For more information on what this is and why I'm doing it, see the bottom part of this blog post here: https://joelswagman.blogspot.com/2026/01/guide-to-west-michigan.html

Related Playlists:

Travelogues Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOY-0V_l_9x71JnPJ1gs_uaswSALX-7V9

West Michigan Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOY-0V_l_9x4D-0HPmovcbB6cCqlVVGEL&si=IEFmZ3UMgJxI0F4F

Kent County Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOY-0V_l_9x5EOMa9ZWDBtdpQFwtlk_ev&si=t8952PnDfrJQTvBY

Cascade Township Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOY-0V_l_9x4WoaXKD7r7tquq2KUQuBjn&si=Hy0GBuPXCEuoZCJE

Legacy Park, Ada Township: Guide to West Michigan

(Travelogues--West Michigan)

Legacy Park, Ada Township: Guide to West Michigan

Address: 7430 River St SE, Ada, MI 49301

This is part of my project to document places of interest in West Michigan.  For more information on what this is and why I'm doing it, see the bottom part of this blog post here: https://joelswagman.blogspot.com/2026/01/guide-to-west-michigan.html

Related Playlists:

Travelogues Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOY-0V_l_9x71JnPJ1gs_uaswSALX-7V9

West Michigan Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOY-0V_l_9x4D-0HPmovcbB6cCqlVVGEL&si=IEFmZ3UMgJxI0F4F

Kent County Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOY-0V_l_9x5EOMa9ZWDBtdpQFwtlk_ev&si=t8952PnDfrJQTvBY

Ada Township Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOY-0V_l_9x4wNsw_zHE0L7HrkSYPaBuV&si=7gzHNdFhq6iauNhe

Ada Village Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXuyFLh_bqUI&si=Rv1y9v4-sgArS53x

Cascade Library, Kent District Library: Guide to West Michigan

(Travelogues--West Michigan)

Cascade Library, Kent District Library: Guide to West Michigan

Address: 2870 Jacksmith Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546

This is part of my project to document places of interest in West Michigan.  For more information on what this is and why I'm doing it, see the bottom part of this blog post here: https://joelswagman.blogspot.com/2026/01/guide-to-west-michigan.html

Related Playlists:

Travelogues Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOY-0V_l_9x71JnPJ1gs_uaswSALX-7V9

West Michigan Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOY-0V_l_9x4D-0HPmovcbB6cCqlVVGEL&si=IEFmZ3UMgJxI0F4F

Kent County Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOY-0V_l_9x5EOMa9ZWDBtdpQFwtlk_ev&si=t8952PnDfrJQTvBY

Cascade Township Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOY-0V_l_9x4WoaXKD7r7tquq2KUQuBjn&si=Hy0GBuPXCEuoZCJE

Day 2 of Millennium Park, Fred Meijer Millennium Trail, Walker City: Guide to West Michigan

(Travelogues--West Michigan)

Day 2 of Millennium Park, Fred Meijer Millennium Trail, Walker City: Guide to West Michigan

Day 1 here: https://youtu.be/Uy0uYR4QlpA

This is part of my project to document places of interest in West Michigan.  For more information on what this is and why I'm doing it, see the bottom part of this blog post here: https://joelswagman.blogspot.com/2026/01/guide-to-west-michigan.html

Related Playlists:

Travelogues Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOY-0V_l_9x71JnPJ1gs_uaswSALX-7V9

West Michigan Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOY-0V_l_9x4D-0HPmovcbB6cCqlVVGEL&si=IEFmZ3UMgJxI0F4F

Kent County Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOY-0V_l_9x5EOMa9ZWDBtdpQFwtlk_ev&si=t8952PnDfrJQTvBY

Walker City Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOY-0V_l_9x6R67ZEz-QsoXASH8rPzn94&si=bMsCWPuhKVxj46yw

Millennium Park, Fred Meijer Millennium Trail, Kent Trails; Walker and Grand Rapids: Guide to West Michigan

(Travelogues--West Michigan)

Millennium Park, Fred Meijer Millennium Trail, Kent Trails; Walker and Grand Rapids: West Michigan

Millennium Park: Address: 1415 Maynard Ave SW, Walker, MI 49534

This is part of my project to document places of interest in West Michigan.  For more information on what this is and why I'm doing it, see the bottom part of this blog post here: https://joelswagman.blogspot.com/2026/01/guide-to-west-michigan.html

According to Google Map, it looks like we started in Walker City, but ended up crossing the border into Grand Rapids in the course of our wanderings.  So I'm putting this video on both playlists.

Related Playlists:

Travelogues Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOY-0V_l_9x71JnPJ1gs_uaswSALX-7V9

West Michigan Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOY-0V_l_9x4D-0HPmovcbB6cCqlVVGEL&si=IEFmZ3UMgJxI0F4F

Kent County Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOY-0V_l_9x5EOMa9ZWDBtdpQFwtlk_ev&si=t8952PnDfrJQTvBY

Grand Rapids Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOY-0V_l_9x73ypfpMOZfYbKtensuu4B_&si=96WBxbMtcrLrVFp3

Walker City Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOY-0V_l_9x6R67ZEz-QsoXASH8rPzn94&si=bMsCWPuhKVxj46yw

Wabasis Lake Park and Campground, Grattan Township: Guide to West Michigan

(Travelogues--West Michigan)

Wabasis Lake Park and Campground, Grattan Township: Guide to West Michigan

Address: 11220 Springhill Dr, Greenville, MI 48838

Related Playlists:

Travelogues Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOY-0V_l_9x71JnPJ1gs_uaswSALX-7V9

West Michigan Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOY-0V_l_9x4D-0HPmovcbB6cCqlVVGEL&si=IEFmZ3UMgJxI0F4F

Kent County Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOY-0V_l_9x5EOMa9ZWDBtdpQFwtlk_ev&si=t8952PnDfrJQTvBY

Grattan Township Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOY-0V_l_9x7Qh3dp2v5sh0Ftass1cyMK&si=dm0EHhWXJrMoe5Nk