Chubb Trail: West Tyson Park, Sunday, October 28

Took connector trail past back pack camp up to picnic table, then hiked back down to the West Tyson Trailhead. Slow going for me because this trail is rocky--and was covered with leaves today. I didn't want to trip.Probably four miles altogether. Not concerned with speed or distance, just enjoying being outside in cool temperatures near sunset. Colors a lot like Clark Trail on Friday. A couple of runners, walkers, mountain bikers. Everyone on this trail friendly as usual.

Urban Hike: Tower Grove, Saturday, October 27

The Stupp Center at Tower Grove Park--where Paul and I were married one month and eleven years ago--on September 29, 2001. I left the fence prongs in the picture for a Halloween feel.

We walked about 45 minutes to an hour-the cap to running errands and getting costumes ready for John and Laura's newly annual Halloween Party. It was about 50 degrees, sunny and a bit windy. Kickball players at the park wearing costumes. We saw someone emerge from a Johnny on the Spot in a tiger suit.

Clark Trail: October 26--a Friday

The weather has been cool--but this week returned to 80 degrees. On Thursday the 25th, the temperature dropped from 81 to 60 in, literally, a matter of five minutes. This was predicted and I was waiting eagerly for the change.  Friday was cool, very cool--just 50 at 6 in the morning. The sun was out by 2:25, when I get off of work at FZW.  I drove to the Clark Trail and hiked 5.3 miles. Not many people. One couple--the woman remarked--"a perfect day for a walk in the woods!" What I couldn't believe

were the colors. I spent the hike awestruck, star struck, perfectly content. Hiking the Clark Trail on the way home from school is really the perfect way to end a week and kick off a weekend.

Friday, October 12: Clark Trail

Trees were beautiful. Met friendly hikers along the way. Weather perfect. Took photos with my cell phone, stopped to enjoy the views. the leaves were just beginning to turn. School still newly begun. Anticipating Ocotber. Doesn't get better than this on a Friday afternoon.

October 7: Stemler Conservation Area and Baltz Cemetery

Paul and I had planned to go hiking that Sunday. But we wanted to be back in time for the Cardinals game at 2:00.  He found a trail of the week in the Post Dispatch while drinking coffee in front of the fire, so we headed off. It was chilly. We were wearing hats and gloves--a classic Fall day.

The trail is only two miles long, but there were off shoots that were a bit confusing on the map.  It wasn't a problem to just turn around and get back on the trail.  The conservation area backs up to farms, fields with horses and even subdivision.  The problem was that we encountered two cute dogs along the way. A larger, lab mix and the small, stuffed animal-type pictured above. The lab hung out, raced around, was friendly, and then darted off, seemingly in the distance of houses. The little guy above kept following us on his stubby little legs. We didn't know what to do at the trailhead, so we accompanied him down the road a little way, hoping to find someone who knew where he belonged as he had no tags. We came across the old cemetery below.  Paul consented to cross the no trespassing signs to explore it, but drew the line at letting me do any gravestone rubbings because most of the stones were so fragile.  The little stubby dog followed us into the cemetery, but then didn't follow us out. (There was a house right next to it with children's toys in the yard. Hopefully the owners returned from church and rescued the little guy.)

\

Yes, I know I'll eventually be under the ground in one, but until then, I still enjoy cemetery walks and photographing headstones.

October 1: Lafayette Square Park at Dusk

One of the Treemendous Geocaches

Perfect October evening at Lafayette Square Park.  Paul and I walked around the park and then down some of the streets surrounding the park. We had dinner at Molly's in Soulard, sitting at a bar table and watching the Cardinal game. Not crowded and peaceful.

Bellefontaine Cemetery with Christine: Sunday September 22

Grave of Joseph Luyerties. Story has it that this is the likeness of an Italian model Luyerties met on a trip to Italy. His love was unrequited, so he had a giant likeness of her sculpted--and he kept it in the foyer of his mansion until he died at 50 and it became his headstone.

Christine and I wondered the graveyard, taking photos, talking on a Sunday morning. I brought a thermos of coffee.

Christine noticed this grave; the later dates and the young age of the deceased piqued my curiosity.
Seems Joseph Barzanty was a genius at making mazes. His puzzles were featured in the Post Dispatch and he won competitions as a child, became something of a local celebrity.Plagued by bipolar disorder and depression, he took his own live in 1992 at the age of 21 by jumping off of an overpass.

Soulard Market and LaSalle Park, September 21

A Saturday morning stroll through Soulard Market stalls, sharing a Bloody Mary with Paul. Sixty degree temperatures. If you go early, around 8, the crowds aren't so large. 

The organic stand: awesome zinnias!  I bought several bunches eleven years ago as the centerpieces for our wedding at the Stupp Center in Tower Grove Park!

Outside the market in the courtyard where musicians sometimes play.

Paul walking over to LaSalle Park.

Graffiti on the overpass sign.

After crossing 55, an alley leading to LaSalle Park

Reminds me of New Orleans:  small courtyards with broken bits of glass and assorted oddities.

Sculptures in LaSalle Park

Mailbox:  Paul always notices the details.

Typical architecture in Soulard and LaSalle Park.