Sunday Read: A stroll through history

Seeking inspiration, I found history and peace

Wait it’s Sunday?

I’ve been on and off the road now for over a month. It’s been a wonderful string of trips from Montreal to see ODESZA with my son; Minnesota to see my extra family; and then on to Richmond and Washington D.C. for family and work.

I have been diving back into my work since returning creating new videos and podcasts for the MeidasTouch Network and trying to tame the weeds in my garden that have seized the day with my absence. I woke up today with the urgent need to once again bash Ron DeSantis and didn’t even realize it was Sunday.

My wonderful partner in life, Heather, suggested I go for a good walk in a park to find inspiration and a story to share. I set off with the best of intentions but instead I found history in St. Louis.

Lewis and Clark begin their journey up the Missouri River (By Gary R. Lucy)

The shadow of Lewis and Clark

As a child of St. Louis I grew up with the legend of Lewis and Clark. They had set off from this city on their epic 24-month journey in 1804 and their legacy was imprinted on much of our region. The majestic Arch was finished the same month I arrived as an infant and towers over the city as the symbolic ‘Gateway to the West’ led by the two men sent by Thomas Jefferson to map the newly acquired Louisiana Territory.

My journey today involved waving my finger around my phone until I settled on a hike recommended by a friend at Fort Belle Fontaine County Park in north St. Louis County. I drove up and stumbled onto the first U.S. Army post west of the Mississippi that was built as the Corps of Discovery made their way to the Pacific Ocean and back.

Where Cold Creek meets the Missouri

The original fort was a wooden affair on the low ground where what is known as Coldwater Creek met the Missouri River. That’s where Lewis and Clark found themselves in 1806 upon their return from the west on their last night before arriving back in St. Louis. A new commander would take over in 1810 and move the fort up to the top of the bluffs overlooking the river where it remained until the larger Jefferson Barracks was built south of the city.

A new phase

The fort fell into disrepair and memory until it was selected as a Works Progress Administration (WPA) site in the 1930’s and improved to serve as an escape from the summer heat for St. Louis residents. A grand staircase was built with fountains from the bluffs to the river and much more. Hard to believe that will be almost 100 years ago soon as well.

The Grand Staircase at Fort Belle Fontaine

They would build bath houses and picnic sites that serve as eery reminders of an era when men were put to work for public good to pull the country out of an economic collapse. Little did we know they were also training to lead in global war just a few years later.

Ruins of the Men’s Bathhouse at Fort Belle Fontaine Park

A leisurely walk

Today the park is a jewel of the region with beautiful views of the rivers and ruins of a bygone era. The remaining facilities are alternately used as a youth home and K-9 training facility and massive bass take over Coldwater Creek in the summer evenings. I got over 3 miles in while wandering from view to view.

I didn’t find a tale to tell directly but I decided to tell the tale of the place instead. I didn’t dwell on my past or find a haughty lesson to share. Instead I spent the evening in the moment. Listening to the constant song of Indigo Buntings and under the shadow of Mississippi Kites flying overhead.

Sometimes inspiration isn’t from the past but right here in the moment. I hope you had a good Sunday too.

View from the top of Grand Staircase to the Missouri River

Note:

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