Sometimes you just have to take a moment, catch your breath, and enjoy the world around you.

That sentiment captures the purpose of this site.  It’s a place to celebrate the everyday beauty we have around us in the places we live, the drives we take, and the sites we have the privilege to visit.

Over the past week, I’ve taken a few of those moments to live.  As the extreme heatwave of late June/early July finally broke and we reached a more manageable set of highs in the mid-90s, I took the time to enjoy Tower Grove Park.  Nightly walks through the park with my wife allowed us to get some fresh air.  This morning we were able to take our time as we strolled through the Tower Grove Farmer’s Market, enjoying the watermelons, cantaloupes, tomatoes, beans, and other fresh, seasonal produce that has popped up over the past several weeks.  And though it was short, we had a few moments to stop by Food Truck Friday and sample some cupcakes.

I believe that Tower Grove Park is one of the underrated treasures of St. Louis.  Growing up outside of St. Louis, I knew of and visited Forest Park.  We checked out all the big-ticket amenities such as the Zoo, Art Museum, and Science Center.  We even visited the Missouri Botanical Garden.  Yet we never made it into the heart of Tower Grove Park, which is unfortunate.

For me, the beauty of Tower Grove Park is found in way that people use the park.  It feels like a big neighborhood front yard, a place where you can stroll along the gently curving roads, admire the beauty of the pavilions throughout the park, and can have fun people watching as they play kickball, softball, corkball, picnic, or sit and watch the ducks.

As you’re getting out and enjoying the weather, enjoy this photo of the Tower Grove Park bandstand, framed by a June moon.

The moon shines over the Tower Grove Park Bandstand