Yesterday was cloudy and cold. Tomorrow and Saturday there's a good chance of rain. Today was forecast to be chilly but sunny, and Hubby Tony and I decided to spend it outside. Tony was in charge of finding a trail. He threw out a couple of ideas, and we settled on Jefferson Barracks Park. Last summer we had ridden bikes in the park, but we ran out of time to explore the museums and said we'd go back.Today would be the day.
Wikipedia says:
The Jefferson Barracks Military Post was an important and active U.S. Army installation from 1826 through 1946. It is the oldest operating U.S. military installation west of the Mississippi River, and it is now used as a base for the Army and Air National Guard.
We entered the park through the north entrance, parked in the Visitor's Center parking lot, and started walking. The park has a paved trail, which is divided into a north and a
south portion. Together they're a little over 2.5 miles. (A third trail is a Greenway that runs along the Mississippi River.) There were very few people, and at points it looked like we were far from civilization.
At the south end of the park we walked past the historical buildings and stopped to read the historical markers. The active National Guard section was behind a tall fence. When I walked over that way to look at a World War Sherman tank I was pretty sure the people in the guard booth were checking me out.
At this point Tony and I decided we were hungry. We left the park and walked to a restaurant five minutes away, where we enjoyed great bar food. The owner's father came by to ask us how our food was. When he learned that it was our first time there he asked if he could sit with us for a few minutes. He told us all about the history of the building.
After lunch we returned to the park, where we found out that all of the museums are still closed due to COVID. That was probably just as well, because we agreed we were getting tired...and we still had to get back to the other end of the park.
So we're now 0 for 2 in seeing the inside of the buildings at Jefferson Barracks. There's also a National Cemetery section, which will be a whole other day's adventure.
Five years ago today: Don't Criticize The Competition!
Did you see any deer? There are lots of them that hang out there.
ReplyDeleteWe saw a group of four and a singleton. They looked very docile.
DeleteMy favorite memory of walking one of those trails is peering into a circle of brush and discovering a dozen male cardinals in thero bright red plumage. Wished I'd had a camera. They have nice trails and lots of deer.
ReplyDeleteYour group of cardinals sounds beautiful!
DeleteNice outing!
ReplyDeleteMilitary sites including outdoor exhibits and museums, are quite popular in my neck of the woods. They attract people of all ages.
ReplyDeleteMe, I usually prefer the outdoor display of heavy weapons where you can take pictures of both the equipment and of the visitors viewing it.
Looks like a beautiful park and fun area. And now you have a good reason to go back yet again.
ReplyDeleteThere will be at least one more visit to the area.
DeleteWhat a nice day you had.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Wow. What a nice day. I haven't eaten in a restaurant in a year!
ReplyDeleteI've felt safe at all of the restaurants we've been in except one....and at that one we just waited for our carry out food to be ready.
DeleteHow wonderful to be able to get out there and explore. Sigh...
ReplyDeletei enjoyed your trip story dear Kathy
ReplyDeletei agree if such huge parks look barren it seems we are in old age ,when we were in wandering in park ,it was second day after lock down lifting and it seemed we were alone time travelers ,though such places got crowded within few days
the restaurant owner gave you company and information ,that was great :)
I really enjoyed talking with the gentleman.
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