I like that my job lets me move—city to city, project to project. As much as I like working from home, it’s good to get out once in a while.

St. Louis was a good reminder of why. You land somewhere you never expected to be, meet people you’ve never worked with, and try to make fifteen moving parts line up on the same Tuesday. When it works, it’s addictive.

St. Louis surprised me. It felt familiar, like Detroit—in the best way. The Rustbelt is on the upswing: old brick factories next to new coffee shops, storefronts getting a second life. Folks were friendly – Straightforward and helpful.

The Gateway Arch is way cooler and bigger in person. I thought I knew it from photos—I didn’t. It sneaks up on you as you head into the city and then suddenly owns the skyline.

Food note: O+O Pizza in Webster Groves (102 W Lockwood Ave) hit exactly the St. Louis note I was hoping for. Solid pizza, great crust, great staff. And the toasted ravioli were fantastic.

The pizza isn’t better than Detroit, Chicago, New Haven, or NYC… but St. Louis wasn’t on my list. Now it is.