Is seeing the Arch worth the price of fuel, a motel room, and taxi
fare? What is the suggested airport at St. Louis?

Yes.

Land at Creve Coeur (http://www.airnav.com/airport/1H0 ), and take the
guided tour of the hangars. It's an amazing airport, with amazing,
one-of-a-kind airplanes -- and the adequate nearby casino hotel (whose name
escapes me now) will come pick you up, gratis.

And the Arch is cool, too.

BTW -- I agree with your assessment of flying over parts of Florida. The
panhandle is about as bleak as it gets, unless you like scrub, sink-holes
and MOAs.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"