Friday, May 25, 2012

Chubb Trail: Thursday, May 24

The weird little Blair Witch House is still there, obscured by trees and overgrowth.
The Meramec River
Between 6 and  7 miles. Startled a turkey on the side of the trail, came across a big black snake slithering under the railroad tracks. Had to take advantage of the cool weather before it ends.

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

8.3 Miles: Tuesday, May 21 Lewis and Clark

Journaled overlooking the river, which I always think about doing during the school year--but never really have the time. Saw some intense trail runners. Women who were entirely muscle and who, while running at a very fast clip, were carrying on conversations as if they were just sitting stationary in chairs. I don't understand how they don't stumble or fall, since I do with frequency--and I'm only walking!

Clark Trail: 5.3 miles Monday, May 21

Wildflowers on the Clark Trail.

May 16: 8.3 miles Lewis and Clark Trail

Wednesday, May 16th after school.  Turned into evening. And everything gets kind of other worldly, especially during the last week of school. Picture of the dead tree doesn't do it justice--it reminded me of the tree in Tim Burton's Sleepy Hollow.

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Castlewood State Park on May 10

Hiked about an hour and 40 minutes, not including a 20 minute break to write in my journal after a stressful day of work bullshit.  I started hiking the Grotpeter trail but then took a connector trail to the Lone Wolf Trail, which climbs above the bluffs over the Meramec River. When I descended, I hiked along the river on the River Scene TrAil.There is a cool bridge that goes under the train tracks--you can read the year 1930 in tiles just above your head as you enter.  There is also some interesting graffiti and stencil art--and then some outdated, no longer scary Metallica and/or Satanic lettering inside the bridge--probably dating from the 1980's.

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

May 9: Chubb Trail

Chubb Trail. 6.26 miles. Tuesday, May 9, 2012. 70 degrees. Sunny.

Monday, May 7, 2012

Other half of Lost Valley Short Loop


Between 6 and 7 miles after school again. Did the other half of the Lost Valley Loop. It ascends into woods and then the trail turns into flat gravel, with electric lines running over it.  You can take an access trail back to another trailhead or continue the loop.  Around seventy degrees, overcast, damp after rain. One bird watcher and a couple of bikers.

Sunday, May 6, 2012

Hamburg Trail: May 6, 2012

This cemetery is on the northeast side of 94. It contains the graves of more familiar TNT names:  Mades, Muschany, Yahn. The Buenger family actually has a stone on which its family tree is inscribed. Visited first on Friday under storm clouds, then revisited Sunday morning before a two hour hike that started at the Hamburg Trailhead directly across 94 from the cemetery.

After visiting the cemetery, cross 94 to the Trailhead, descend a small hill onto the shady flat gravel Hamburg Trail.  Make a left.  Read the plaques about the town of Hamburg, then cross under Highway 94 through the tunnel below.


Hike about 15 minutes and come close to the junction of the Hamburg and Katy Trails.  Today, I chose to cross 94 again to the Lost Valley Trailhead. Hiked a total of 2 hours in 85 degree weather--saw a huge black snake sunning himself on the path. A breeze kept bugs at bay.



Saturday, May 5, 2012

Lost Valley, again--around 3 miles (Friday, May 4)

Since I had to take off to attend a Memorial Service at 11 a.m., I decided to hike beforehand and then shower at my parents before the funeral mass.  The sun eventually came, and I had a nice three or so mile hike.  The next storm held off until I was finished.

Urban Hike: DeBaliviere

Tuesday, May 1

Kingsbury

Paul and I walked up and down Kingsbury and Waterman, then had dinner at the Rhinehaus on Kingshighway (used to be Turvey's on the Green). Paul liked Kingsbury. I like Waterman because it seemed a little seedier, if you can use the word seedy to describe real estate in that area.  A little more New Orleans--pleasant decay and large wrap around porches.

We are not exactly sure why the Rhinehaus propriertors would cover up the intricate tin ceilings in the building with drop ceilings--except that the Rhinehaus is somewhat of a college/neighborhood bar where there are bean bag tournaments and karaoke.