Old St. Charles

Downtown St. Charles, Missouri, is a historic area that has restored many of their original shops and homes. Founded circa 1769 as Les Petites Côtes, or “The Little Hills” in French, by Louis Blanchette, a French-Canadian fur trader, when the area was nominally ruled by Spain following the Seven Years’ War, St. Charles is the third-oldest city in Missouri. ForContinue reading “Old St. Charles”

Lion Gates

On either side of Delmar Blvd., just west of the commercial district called the Loop, stand the gatekeepers to University City. Perched on their 40-foot limestone pylons, two massive feline figures keep watch high above the heads of pedestrians and motorists. Presently engulfed by mature trees that partly obscure the viewer’s line of vision, theseContinue reading “Lion Gates”

Delmar Loop

University City City Hall and the west end of the popular Delmar Loop. The Delmar Loop is a buzzing entertainment and dining hub with an eclectic mix of noodle bars, BBQ restaurants, Korean and Mexican eateries, cocktail lounges and pubs lining Delmar Boulevard. Well-known locals with stars on the St. Louis Walk of Fame includeContinue reading “Delmar Loop”

City Hall

The City Hall of University City, Missouri, was built in 1903 as the “Women’s Magazine Building”, the headquarters of a magazine publishing company, and became a city hall in 1930. The octagonal, five-story brick-and-limestone building was built in a Beaux-Arts style with a dome roof. The building features a marble staircase connecting the first and secondContinue reading “City Hall”

Indian Cliff Falls

Part of Dogwood Canyon Nature Park. Located in Southwest Missouri near Branson  and Table Rock Lake, this place is for waterfall lovers. You can walk or take a tram to see the sights. However, I like to walk and take photos. If you are in the area, this is a place you have to seeContinue reading “Indian Cliff Falls”

Pere Marquette Cabin

Driving up the The Great River Road outside of Alton, Illinois is a great experience. Driving from Alton, though Grafton on to Pere Marqutte State Park you will find great restaurants, wineries, bed and breakfasts and a spectacular view of the Mississippi River. Be sure to stop along the way to see the Bald EaglesContinue reading “Pere Marquette Cabin”

Spring at the Climatron

https://greatrivers.smugmug.com/Galleries/Missouri-Botanical-Garden/i-rMJp4RM/A A gem in St. Louis is our Botanical Garden. Also known as the Missouri Botanical Garden, it is a showcase for all sorts of plant life from small flowers to mature trees; water based pants to tropical flowers; and theme areas such as their Japanese Garden. These Red Buds make a nice spring sceneContinue reading “Spring at the Climatron”

Japanese Garden

https://greatrivers.smugmug.com/Galleries/Missouri-Botanical-Garden/i-8DpxzTX/A A nice shot of Missouri Botanical Garden’s Japanese Garden. Spring in Missouri is very colorful with flowing Dogwood, Redbud, Cherry Trees and Magnolias. Use a wide angle lens to get a photo like this. For this scene, you cannot get back far enough to include the whole lake without adding unwanted elements to theContinue reading “Japanese Garden”

Spring is here

https://greatrivers.smugmug.com/Galleries/Missouri-Botanical-Garden/i-wKGJpWB/A Happy Spring! While our local botanical garden is closed (but pictured here), I am seeing people out walking and enjoying the outdoors. In our area the cherry blossoms and magnolias are all open. In my neighborhood the streets are lined with flowing trees luring people out into the fresh air.