Daniel Cemetery Hike

Started my morning at the Howell Cemetery on 94. Had never really checked out the headstones there, so I finished my coffee and wondered around in the dewy grass before beginning my hike to the Daniel Cemetery.

Awesome solitary trees--alive or dead--at the edges of fields, in the corners of cemeteries, markers along the trail.

The Daniel Cemetery is on the lefthand side of a grass road. The headstones are in German. Many are broken except one that is perfectly preserved--M. Daniel: Geboren 7 Marz 1806, Gestorben 22 Aug. 1878. No grass in the graveyard, mostly weeds and yucca plants. There is the customary almost dead tree in the corner of the lot.

Dunlap Cemetery Hike: March 26

The Dunlap Cemetery Hike. One of the last on the list. . .I hiked for about two and a half hours after school. Perfect 75 degree weather. A tiny little rain storm passed over me for about five minutes; I could hear rain drops around me but was not hit by any. Saw two doe drinking in the pond below--and a couple more deer in the woods. They were too far out of range for the camera. The Dunlap Cemetery is very near a hiking trail in the woods--although I went in from the gravel path, hiking off trail and climbing a couple hills, probably unnecessarily. The cemetery is peaceful but spooky--not really noticeable from the trail. Probably hiked between 5 and 6 miles.

Scott Cemetery, March 25, 2012

I wish I could find more information about the African American Community that existed in Weldon Springs in the 1800's. What remains is the site of a school and two cemeteries where over 42 slaves are said to be buried. This metal Muschany Mortuary marker denotes one of the graves. The Scotts were an African American family who owned the land at one time. . . . This location is just off the old road, but entirely peaceful. I saw no one, just a profusion of flowers and blue sky.

This rope branch reminded me of Alice Walker's short story "Flowers", especially since over 42 slaves are buried in the McRoberts and Scott Cemeteries.

The old farm pond on the Scott property: dog woods blooming all around

As an aside: there was a Mountain Biking Race on March 25 at the Lost Valley Trail. The trail was still open, so it was o.k. to hike, but I had to pretty much hike alongside the trail until I got to the old road leading to the McRoberts and Scott Cemeteries.

In the above photo on the right, you can see a tripod set up along the trail. It was set with a trip mechanism so that a photograph of every biker was taken when he/she passed. In the creek, just a few feet from this tripod was a live photographer who would snap photos of bikers as just as they rode through a creek and made a dangerousturn on slick rocks. He would yell encouraging words about how they could make it, but then yell "nevermind" when almost all of them fell. In between yells, he would somtimes cough. Presumably he was hired to take promotional photographs. . . . . .

Thursday and Friday, March 22 and 23

Preparation for the Geocaching Creative Writing Field Trip and then the Trip itself! Lost Valley Trail, March 22 and 32

First came another one of Jenni George's creative ideas. Then came Kelly Barban, who was a great and creative sport. I routinely try to suck other teachers into crazy field trips to keep school interesting for myself (and hopefully, at least a few students.) Kelly, thankfully, humored me. The downed tree next to the McRoberts Home Site. We put a geocache inside the hollowed trunk. (Kelly's love letters in calligraphy, stained with coffee.)

Some of the nifty items in geocaches. Special thanks to my father-in-law, Nelson Reed, who provided many of the items.

Right after you start hiking the Lost Valley Trail, there is a graded grass trail to your right. If you hike up the hill, you will find green fields and more forest. As I hiked this way in order to give students the chance to strike out on their own away from teachers, the rain clouds cleared and the sun came out. Turned out to be a perfect weather day after a rain-soaked early morning.

I didn't realize this would happen, but when I hiked off trail to the fields and the mini "bluff", I found out I could see groups groups below looking for geocaches.

At the start of the Lost Valley Trail: those who went on the most challenging hike.

Mandi and Molly: Amazing writers, and as it turned out, amazing hikers as well!

Lost Valley Again, Sunday, March 18

This site is still super-cool with more things to find every time you go. This is the Sudbrock Steps--what remains of the Sudbrock Home, sold in 1941. What remains on the one acre lot: open cistern, grape hyacinth, daffodils, concrete steps, house foundation stone.

Urban Hike: Carondelet

Tree Face across from Carondelet Park on Holly Hills Drive.

An Arts and Crafts Bungalow at the corner of Belle Rive and Alabama. The resident kindly came out on Friday and gave an impromptu but informative lecture on St. Louis architecture and the neighborhood. She is part of the Woodward Watch program.

The smoker at Iron Barley--on the street in back of the restaurant. Iron Barley has been featured on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives

Friday, March 16 and Saturday, March 17th

First with students, then with Paul. Our neighborhood always has something new to offer those who are non-judgemental and/or observant. About four miles each time.

McRoberts Cemetery and Home Site: Lost Valley Trail

Monday, March 19, 2012

Hiked 3. 62 miles after school. Found the McRoberts Cemetery and home site. Hiked out of the trail around 6 or 6:30, just as it got cooler and a little darker.