On a 31-day road trip through 18 states, I wanted Dodie to see the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri.
Over the years I heard about the dangers and violence of East St. Louis, just across the Mississippi River, but was not prepared for what we saw around the Arch.
Approaching noon, under an overpass were scores of homeless, many obviously drunk or wiped out on drugs. Some lived in tents, others sprawled out on deteriorated asphalt and sidewalks.
Buildings, statues and other structures nearby had broken windows, painted graffiti, and other signs of destruction.
We left immediately and decided to go southward towards Branson.
Talking to a former St. Louis resident later, he explained, “The area has gone mad of their own making. I was a liberal, a Democrat, and like so many, voted for the measures that decriminalize a lot of this behavior, and so there’s no repercussions for all of this.”
“The result is police, fire, emergency and various city services are overwhelmed with fires, overdoses, crime and cleaning the sh*t and needles off the street,” he continued. “We did it to ourselves. I’ve seen the light. Believe me when I say that I’m conservative now.”
6 Safety Tips for Traveling to the US
- Do not display a lot of cash or your cell phone in public, thus creating temptation for muggers,
- Wear a money belt for your money and identification documents rather than put your wallet in your back pocket.
- Exercise situational awareness when in public. Keep your distance from anyone whom you sense may be a threat.
- Be especially careful when out after dark. Use a taxi or a rideshare to get around when the sun is down.
- When out clubbing or dining, avoid drinking too much alcohol. If you’re feeling a little tipsy, see the above rule about taxis and rideshare transportation.
- If you are a camper (RV, tent…) or hotel/motel guest, check the crime ratings and reports of the neighborhoods, counties, cities, towns, parks, and regions you select.
Most Dangerous Places: Crime Related
Memphis, Tennessee
St. Louis, Missouri
Detroit, Michigan
Birmingham, Alabama
Baltimore, Maryland
New Orleans, Louisiana
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Cleveland, Ohio
Shreveport, Louisiana
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Little Rock, Arkansas
Other Most Dangerous Places: Not Crime Related
While about 15 people are killed by homicide each year in America’s National Parks, the odds are much higher death will occur by other means.
Death Valley, California
The aptly named Death Valley is famous for record-breaking heat, with temperatures soaring to a scorching 134°F (56°C). While the landscape is undeniably beautiful, dehydration and heatstroke are real dangers in this desolate desert national park.
Mount Washington, New Hampshire
Don’t be fooled by its seemingly modest height of 6,288 feet above sea level. Mount Washington holds the record for the world’s highest recorded wind speed at 231 mph. Combine that with potentially freezing temperatures and unpredictable weather, and you’ve got a recipe for a seriously dangerous hike.
Hawaii National Park, Hawaii
Volcanoes, tsunamis, and flash floods; Hawaii’s natural beauty comes with a dose of potential danger. Stay informed about current conditions and heed all warnings.
New Smyrna Beach, Florida
This beach boasts fantastic waves, but it’s also a notorious breeding ground for aggressive sharks, particularly bull sharks. Heed all warnings and swim with a friend.
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Clever Journeys 
Is the outward expression you witnessed in E St. Louis the opening of the boil of corruption? A loss of spiritual awareness that leads to dispare?
there is an analogy bubbling up in your story that relate to the living human body and the living human society. The same process of health and healing
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Exactly!!
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It is sad what has happened in St. Louis. I was there for a few months for training in the 90s. There were nice restaurants and bars downtown. It was a nice place. St. Louis used to be a great city. It was the first US city and the first city outside the continent of Europe to host the Olympics.
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Yes, feel the same. Disgrace.
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I don’t feel safe in any large city. Dallas is a s..t show, crime everywhere, except Highland Park and that’s because they have a brutal police force that keeps the criminals out. Granbury, so far is safe, only because it’s a small town with a great police force. I carry a 9mm pretty much every where I go, and we both pack heat when traveling. How did our country get this way? I am one disillusioned fellow.
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Yes, I will go out of my way to avoid any big city for the last few years. Thanks Phil.
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It is absolutely true about Mount Washington. People die there every year from not listening to weather warnings or wearing light summer gear with no backup while hiking it. The weather can change from sunny to a cold storm just like that. We already have snow on the top this year. My Dad and brothers and sisters have all hiked it and done well, but you’ve got to be prepared.
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Tragic!
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