Bee Tree Park 1, photo by smalltowngirl

I spent my Sunday tooling around South County St. Louis in a convertible, taking in the sunshine and enjoying good company. After a great omelet and coffee and First Watch, we headed to Bee Tree Park to get some exercise.

The park sits along the Mississippi River and has concrete and gravel trails for walking, jogging or biking.

Bee Tree Park, photo by smalltowngirl

We stood on the Chubb Memorial Overlook, gazing out at the slow but powerful river, and my mind wandered to my good friend Matt, who’s older brother Mike kayaked the Mississippi River from beginning to end. Mike was killed very recently in Afghanistan. His memorial service was Friday, and his family had been on  my mind all weekend. Standing over the Mississippi put me in awe that Mike had kayaked the entire thing alone.

Mississippi River, photo by smalltowngirl

Mississippi, photo by smalltowngirl

We continued walking down trails through the woods before venturing onto the “fish trail”, which circled a seven-acre lake. The park was filled with families walking dogs, fishing, riding bikes and picnicking.

Bee Tree is the first St. Louis County Park I’ve spent any time in, and I was impressed both by the park itself and by the number of people using the park on this gorgeous Sunday afternoon.

Lake, photo by smalltowngirl

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For more about Bee Tree Park, visit the St. Louis County Website.