Cemetery Walks with Paul, November 7, 2014

The Meuse-Argonne offensive was the last battle of World War II. It lasted months and 26,000 American s were killed, including twenty-four year old Walter Runge.

Paul and I went walking in Concordia Cemetery by our house on Bates--discovering that it has been there since the early to mid 1800's and was begun by Germans.  The leaves in the city proper have not fallen yet, and parks and cemeteries are great places to see large, colorful trees before winter weather sets in for good (probably this week).  We also went to the cemetery on Mackenzie where Paul's Dad is buried and witnessed a Bosnian Muslim funeral--the person who died is not in a coffin, and is only covered by a colorful burial shroud.  I just read that according to that tradition, the person should be buried before sundown on the day that they passed away--and the family prepares the body for burial.

Lewis and Clark, November 6

Hiked after professional development. Many leaves have fallen but the ones that remain are brilliant shades of red and gold.  I marveled how well I felt, other than panting going up the hills because I've been out of practice and out of shape.  It felt so great to MOVE.

New Bench at the beginning of the trail.

Lewis and Clark Trail October 6,2014

After hideous weekend with dental infection, I got the fairly all clear from the dentist (and the dermatologist by phone) to go hiking, since I'd taken the whole day off of school anyway.  Headed out to Lewis and Clark, still too swollen to wear flipper but I did not care. It was an amazing warm Fall day and I hiked the 5.3 miles easily.  This trail is so convenient--right on the way home from school.  Played with the effects on my I-phone camera. Instant and amazing! Just a few leaves starting to turn. 

Hiking with Pat around April 23, 2014: Cuivre River

I got a little lazy about posting my hikes, walks, etc.. It's been a busy and somewhat stressful season--from Spring to Summer to Fall. Took Gateway Writing Project in June/July, had surgery the first week of August and started school mid-August. Trying to catch up with postings and get back to hiking and blogging. . . .

 This is my brother Patrick Coleman on his 42nd birthday at Cuivre River State Park. We hiked after I'd left school early for a doctor's appointment--and then I purchased his gifts and headed out to Wentzville. Day was cool, a little humid. We talked a lot about Mom and her death, our Dad's sociopathic tendencies--samo, samo, but hiking and talking is a good way to process difficult information and occurrences.

 This is where Pat made the joke about . . well, it was inappropriate, as usual :).

 Odd drainage system. This was not concrete but some kind of synthetic material. Gave me the willies about cancer and toxins.

 The Cuivre River. It was a record cold winter in St. Louis--as cold a winter as I can ever remember and I'm 48.  Green was just trying to make a comeback in late April.  Contrast that with Spring 2011 when foliage was in bloom by the end of March.

 Back pack camp. We made plans to camp here, but as yet, they haven't materialized.

Field by the parking lot, heading home.