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
