I had a decision to make: fly from Kansas City to Louisville or drive. The drive was estimated at about 8 hours, while the flight would take around 6 hours. Although the actual flight was only an hour, the added time for returning the rental car, arriving at the airport early, and having a layover made flying less appealing. On the other hand, driving offered the chance to stop and explore a few sights along the way, plus it gave me more control over my schedule. So, I opted to drive.
I drove for about two hours to Columbia, Missouri, where I spent the night. The next morning, I continued my journey, driving another two hours to St. Louis. I had three things on my agenda for the city: first, visit the temple; second, see the gateway arch; and third, check out some ancient mounds across the river.
I arrived at the temple around 10:00 AM and began walking the grounds, taking photos of the temple. The morning air was a bit chilly. As I made my way to the back of the temple, I noticed a young man standing off to the side, staring at me in a rather awkward way. After snapping a few photos, I walked past him and said hello. He asked if I was nervous, I didn’t understand so I asked him to clarify. I realized he was actually saying he was nervous.
Curious, I asked why, and he revealed he was about to propose. He looked both nervous and cold, he was trying to avoid the shade. We talked for a moment about the girl he was planning to propose to; they had both served missions in Brazil and met during their freshman year at BYU. He was a handsome young man excited about this new chapter in his life and It was clear he was head over heels for this girl. She had no idea he was even in Missouri, with her brother acting as lookout for the surprise.
He showed me the lovely ring he planned to propose with. I felt the spirit. I offered him some words of encouragement, reminding him to enjoy this special time. As I drove away, I spotted them kneeling in front of the temple, embracing. Her mother was cheering with her hands in the air. I gave a little toot of my horn and a thumbs-up as I pulled away, feeling grateful to have witnessed such a beautiful moment, if only for a brief moment. I truly wish them a happy life together.
Next, I made my way to the St. Louis Gateway Arch, and it was amazing. You could immediately tell it was an engineering marvel. Standing at the base, I was struck by the unique angles and curves of its design. However, I was also taken aback by the graffiti etched into the metal and the visible welded seams. These marks were not something I had expected to see up close. It was a stark contrast: on one hand, the incredible craftsmanship that went into its construction, and on the other, the disrespect shown by those who defaced this iconic structure. Regardless, seeing the arch in person was truly impressive. I spent about 30 minutes there before heading across the river to explore some ancient mounds.
About 10-15 minutes outside of St Louis were the Cahokia Mounds.
Cahokia Mounds, some 13 km north-east of St Louis, Missouri, is the largest pre-Columbian settlement north of Mexico. It was occupied primarily during the Mississippian period (800–1400), when it covered nearly 1,600 ha and included some 120 mounds. It is a striking example of a complex chiefdom society, with many satellite mound centres and numerous outlying hamlets and villages. This agricultural society may have had a population of 10–20,000 at its peak between 1050 and 1150. Primary features at the site include Monks Mound, the largest prehistoric earthwork in the Americas, covering over 5 ha and standing 30 m high.
Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site – UNESCO World Heritage Centre
This was impressive on a whole different scale. I climbed to the top of the temple mound, which was both big and tall. I counted around 150 steps, estimating it to be about 75 to 100 feet high. Since it was man-made, I couldn’t help but wonder how long it took to pile up that much dirt to create such a monumental structure. It was just as remarkable as the arch, but in a different way. With modern architecture and equipment, I wasn’t surprised that they could build the Gateway Arch. However, the ancient Mississippian tribes constructed this temple and the surrounding mounds without any heavy equipment. Standing atop the mound, I felt a deep sense of awe at their ingenuity and effort.
After enjoying those stops, I continued my journey through expansive corn and soybean fields, passing by trees and more fields. Eventually, I reached my destination and spent the evening setting up for the Expo I was attending, working until after 10 PM.
There was one notable event during my drive: a semi-truck ran me off the road while I was going 70 miles per hour. Thankfully, I was unharmed, and I felt immense gratitude for that protection. I was also deeply thankful for the sense of peace I experienced while walking the temple grounds. It felt so different from everywhere else I traveled. I drove by major sports stadiums in Kansas City, St. Louis, and Louisville, and drove through the inner cities of both St. Louis and Louisville, as well as the surrounding neighborhoods of Kansas City, St. Louis, Columbia, and Louisville. Yet none of these places compared to the tranquility and spirit of the temple grounds.