Biking the flooded Mississippi Riverfront Trail with Larry

I met Larry at 9:30 this morning at the Riverfront MetroLink station to bike the Riverfront Trail. OK, so at least I was there at 9:30 a.m. (Larry's on "retired time", but that's OK, I'll get there some day, I hope.)
First, we checked out the flooding around the Arch and Landing: not quite as bad as '93, but enough water to close the flood gates and reach about the middle of the first flight of steps in front of the Arch.
Next, we started up the trail, only to be stopped about 100 meters into the ride due to water over the trail. After a little detour, we were back on the trail and headed north to the McKinley Bridge, which just reopened to vehicle and pedestrian/bike traffic. It was exciting to cross and get a new perspective of the downtown St. Louis as well as the flooding. Next, we followed Rt. 3 north (again, due to flooding, the trail was closed on the Illinois side as well) to the Chain of Rocks Bridge, which I crossed for the first time in my life. I'd seen it many times in pictures and from the I-270 bridge, and I knew that it had a bend in it. However, while crossing it, I was still shocked at how sharp the turn actually was. I'm not sure what the speed limit was on the bridge when it was open to cars, but it couldn't have been too high or cars would have flung themselves off the side of the bridge!!!
Back in Missouri, we headed south to downtown, stopping first in the near north side to eat lunch at Crown Candy Kitchen. We ran into Coach Anderson (formerly of St. Henry's Prep Seminary/now at immaculate Conception in Columbia, IL) and his wife.
Finally got home after 3 p.m. Tired from the ride, but satisfied from the adventure!