Recently the St. Louis heat fell to an unseasonable high of 70 degrees. I shoved my kids in the car and headed for my favorite nearby hiking spot: Creve Coeur Lake! Creve Coeur Lake has several trails, but the one that circles the lake is my favorite. Something about being near the water and watching gentle waves lap a beach, is just good for the … Continue reading Hiking Creve Coeur Lake
Growing up, going for a nature hike often meant a visit to Grafton, Illinois to walk the trails of Pere Marquette. I always felt so proud of myself for climbing the bluffs that characterize the Grafton area and later felt regret when as a day camp counselor I dragged a dozen 5-12 year olds on four miles of mostly uphill climbing… Anyway, now my … Continue reading Pere Marquette State Park
For a while, I had heard friends rave about Castlewood Park, so I finally got out that way to see what the fuss was about. Once I got there (it is about 30 minutes from Downtown St. Louis in Ballwin Missouri), I quickly understood the appeal! The Meramec river runs through this lush park with steep overlooks and its remote setting means there’s nothing but … Continue reading Castlewood Park
Few places in the St. Louis area transport you back in time like St. Charles’s Historic Main Street. Right off the Missouri river, Main Street was an important trading stop that helped St. Charles become the Missouri state capital from 1821-1826. Most of the houses on Main Street date from the German influx in the early 1900s and, through preservation efforts, many have been converted … Continue reading A Day Out in Historic St. Charles
If you ask residents what they love about St. Louis, the first thing they will say is Forest Park. While there are many things St. Louis has to offer, Forest Park is the heart of this city. Built in 1904 for the World’s Fair (as depicted in the musical Meet Me in St. Louis), this park has so much to offer and, most importantly, is … Continue reading Forest Park
If you have ever wanted to get up close and personal with an elk, this park is your chance! The first time we visited, we were amazed as we followed the trail and walked right by five elk munching away right next to us! We were also amazed by how secluded and forest-like it felt even though we knew we were just minutes from a … Continue reading Lone Elk Park
This Mom's St. Louis 