We decided to celebrate D’s birthday by going to

Shaw Nature Reserve

which DnA had not visited in 10 years of living in St.Louis!

In the morning, however, they had to do some yard work, spreading the mulch they'd collected the previous day: So we were able to drive down to the Reserve only in the afternoon. It was a short, but lovely visit...as D entered the Visitors' Center to pick up brochures and maps, the storm clouds were already blowing up and you can see the tree swaying in the strong wind: Still, we walked down a bit, and I took a nice family photograph: The wildflower and butterfly area looked beautiful: The young family walked further in it.. There were some beautiful little pavilions: I reached Bascom House: And walked all around it... I found this a pretty picture: a young woman sitting in the gazebo: The paths were marked by the coniferous leaves: Alas, the rain caught up with us, and we sprinted to the car, where we sat, a sodden little group:

The scenery of this place, by itself, would make it worth a visit: