i was in st. louis for work for a few weeks, and i finally had a day off, so i decided to check out missouri's state high point, about two hours away. when i got there, i discovered that i had lost my memory card for my camera, so i took all the photos with my phone.

i started on the nicely paved 1,000 foot trail to the high point. some hikers were resting nearby and asked me what i thought of the state high point. i said that my home in tucson is higher than this. they had just done the mina sauk falls loop and were decked out in hiking gear, with trekking poles, as i would if i were hiking in arizona. they said that it was a hard trail. i could tell they were sizing me up with my jeans and tennies, and carrying no snacks or water. i said that i thought i could handle it, and i was on my way.

the trail, the weather, the surroundings - were just depressing. gray sky and stick trees are not my idea of scenic beauty. but still - i was out in nature by myself. it was nice to do this after a month.

as i drove my way back down the mountain, i turned on a side street labeled "tower." i had no idea, but it makes sense that the highest mountain would have a fire tower on it. total bonus.