On Route 66 near the recluses of the Ozark Mountains: on the eve of the midterms, "the mood is not very good"

Route 66 crosses the Mississippi at St. Louis, Missouri, leading to the West. The city, founded in 1764, was once a prosperous gateway to the American West but has since declined significantly. St. Louis hosted the 1904 Olympics and the World's Fair, yet has lost half its population over the past fifty years. The city gained attention in 2014 due to the police shooting of Michael Brown, which fueled the Black Lives Matter movement. Today, it is known for its iconic arch and the surrounding Ozarks, a retreat for those seeking a simpler life and a connection to frontier culture.