St Charles, Missouri Region – Page 2

McNair Trail

It was not this peaceful the last time I was in this park. My son ran cross country in high school, and there was a regional meet at McNair every year. Students, coaches, and families swarmed all over the grounds in an echo of cheering and laughter and blaring horns. I loved the park, but never really had any idea of what else was here.

I’d certainly never seen this part before. The trail is a quarter mile loop, tucked behind the much longer walking and biking trail that circles the whole park.

It’s a tiny hidden jewel of walkways, benches, and fountains; crowned by a gazebo.

Along the walkways, carefully organized plants are identified by signs in both print and braille. The signs explain the placement of each plant, and how to manage and care for them in home gardens as well.

It’s still and peaceful in the crisp cold afternoon light.

A storm is creeping in from the west. The reflecting pools are already edging with ice.

It’s time to go, but I’ll be back, to find a book from the little library, and a bench in a quiet hollow, to soak in the peaceful perfection of this place.

Klondike Park

Cold! It did occur to me, that January might not be the best time to set off on this challenge. Really, though, this the first time that it’s truly felt like January. The wind is sharp and thick clouds hide the sun. As I walk toward the lake loop trail, I’m worried how bad it may get over the water.

As it turns out, it’s pretty pleasant. The bluffs block the worst of the wind, even as it ripples the lake. My gloves don’t stay off for long when I stop to take pictures or write, but I’m comfortable enough with them on.

Even in August, the white sands of the quarry look like snow. Today, it feels so natural, it’s easy to forget that it’s not. Floods, not snow, are the problem today, though a little is predicted for tonight. I drove through water on highway 94 to get here and Katy trail detour signs line the park.

At the base of the Katy Trail access lane, the trail is damp and dense and soft. It certainly doesn’t look fun to ride on, but I don’t see flooding from here.

A tiny bird taunts me from the edge of the campground, flitting from tree to tree and endlessly calling until I finally catch sight of it.

Summer calls, with dreams of bikes and tents and traveling, even as I abide in the beauty of today.

Spencer Creek Park

I need my grandsons. This place looks fun. The playground, picnic shelters, ball courts and fields all border a long city trail. It’s really a multi-trail system I discovered as I wandered around.

The trail extends on either side of a really cool covered bridge over a city street. It branches into other playgrounds and runs behind houses and apartments. Bordered by a line of trees and a tumbling creek, it’s a busy place on this cloudy afternoon. There are dog walkers and joggers and even a couple men who are running a remote control car across an open field.

It’s not exactly a quiet walk in the woods kind of place, but it’s a fun open gathering spot and wonderful neighborhood link.