After moving to Missouri in late 2015 I began hiking at the parks and conservation areas surrounding Saint Louis, and I quickly became enthralled by the beauty of the state. A little over a year into my travels, I learned that Missouri State Parks was celebrating their 100th anniversary in 2017. In celebration of their efforts to preserve the natural beauty of Missouri for all to enjoy, I began to focus my expeditions on exploring the State Parks.
As of 1 January 2019 I had been to 21 of the 56 state parks. For every park I visited, I followed various trails, hiking up to eleven miles on each trip, frequently alone. My aim with these hikes was to not only explore and experience nature, but also to be inspired by it. Each park has its own personality and unique features, and through this project I have been introduced to many amazing places.
With only myself and my surroundings as company, these trips have caused me to turn inward, and have given me a deeper connection with nature and myself. The photographs in this collection are from mid 2017 through the end of 2018.
Castlewood State Park 11/2015
St. Francois State Park 1/2016
Hawn State Park 3/2016
Taum Sauk State Park 5/2016
Meramec State Park 5/2016
Johnson's Shut-ins State Park 8/2016
Bennet Spring State Park 3/2017
Don Robinson State Park 3/2017
Cuivre River State Park 6/2017
Onondaga Cave State Park 6/2017
Robertsville State Park 8/2017
Sam A. Baker Memorial State Park 8/2016
Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park 8/2017
Wakonda State Park 10/2017
Washington State Park 11/2017
Trail of Tears State Park 11/2017
Lake of the Ozarks State Park 11/2017
Route 66 State Park 11/2017
Lake Wappapello State Park 1/2018
Rock Bridge Memorial State Park 1/2018
