With busy lives and hectic schedules, it's important to have a little dedicated downtime. We decided to take advantage of the sunny spring morning to explore Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park (commonly known as Babler State Park).
Its rolling wooded hills, CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) architecture, abundant picnicking areas and hiking trails make it a wonderful place to spend time. As a sidebar, the CCC constructed some buildings and seat-walls at Babler and we read an interesting point we'd not previously known. Workers for the CCC were expected to be literate. If not, one was permitted to endorse the first paycheck with an "X". Thereafter, the employee was required to sign his entire name. Every effort was made to help hired hands in achieving that goal by providing a teacher at each camp. Evenings were spent tutoring the men so that they could learn to read and write. Isn't that something?
Redbuds, dogwood and springtime flowers were a welcoming sight Saturday morning.
 |
| Comingled violets and Spring Beauties filled a field. |
 |
| I don't think I have ever seen Sweet William bloom so early in the season! |
There's not much better than fresh air and a bright sky on a spring morning.
Babler State Park, in St. Louis county, is part of the MO State Parks (the system is celebrating its centennial through December of 2017) . This 900 acre park was named for physician, Dr. Edmund Babler, who studied and practiced medicine in St. Louis in the early 1900s. He had one of the largest local medical practices of the time and was known to have a caring heart for the area's disadvantaged. Upon his death, Dr. Babler's brother, Jacob, purchased the large tract of land on which the park was established. Jacob was a prominent St. Louis attorney who strongly advocated the preservation of land, so it seemed fitting he honor his brother in this manner. A bronze statue of Edmund is on display near the park's gates.
Nestled in the park is a visitor center, in which we spent a little time. Dedicated to educating, it highlights the park's history and provides plant and animal information. We stumbled upon a fabulous movie they were showing about MO black bears, which we thoroughly enjoyed! Slowly, bears are making a comeback in our state since our park environments are able to sustain them. There is a higher population in the southern portion of the state near AR. We learned that black bears begin the season by consuming mostly tender vegetation. As various berries ripen and the insects begin maturing, the bears primarily rely on those two food sources. Acorns are their favorite though. Once the oak trees begin shedding them, the bears move in and load up in an effort to fatten-up for their approaching hibernation. Gaining over a pound a day throughout the fall, the females top-out at 300 pounds and males at 600. They are the only animal whose young can be born during hibernation. Symbolic of strength and courage, two bears appear on the MO flag, so they are an important animal to our state.
Enjoying the park for a little bit was just what we needed.
After our spring morning breather, we felt energized to tackle the remainder of our day!
Is your coffee gone yet? ☕
Happy Monday!