Meramec River views and caves are some of the sites at Meramec Conservation Area. This area is just across the river from the more well-known Meramec State Park, which I will talk about in my next blog. 1.3 Mile Woodland Trail at Meramec Conservation Area Finding The Cave I spent my time here exploring the paved ADA access Woodland Trail through the woods. (Although, a…
Checking out barnyard animals with my son Andrew at Suson Park Animal Farm in south St. Louis County was our Friday fun day.
A zoo for birds can be found at World Bird Sanctuary in western St. Louis County just off Interstate 44. Here you can see North American birds such as eagles to Australian birds such as a kookaburra. History of World Bird Sanctuary Walter Crawford who grew up in Venezuela among the exotic birds in the jungles founded the sanctuary. He worked at the St. Louis…
Lone Elk Park in West County St. Louis is the only place where you are guaranteed to see elk or bison in a gated park. Here you can hike the 3.2-mile earthen and rock White Bison Trail in the elk section or you can see the wildlife by driving through the park on a mostly one-lane road. While you are here be on the lookout…
Here are the top ten hikes I liked the most in 2020. I chose them based on length, how much I enjoyed them, and what natural beauty I saw. Lon Sanders Canyon: My Favorite Shut-Ins Short Hike Waterfalls and shut-ins in a rocky gorge are what you will find at Lon Sanders Canyon Conservation Area in the Missouri Ozarks. Dad Hikes: Silver Mines A mineshaft and a cascading…
Here are my 2020 Top Ten Travelogues/Memoirs that I have found inspirational and gave me insight into other countries in the world. I hope these books help you find a journey of discovery about yourself and others. Walking the Amazon by Ed Stafford In April 2008 Ed Stafford set out to be the first person to ever walk the entire length of the Amazon River….
Author Todd Allen Smith’s credentials include 20 years of experience as a writer. He has worked professionally as a reporter and editor for both newspapers and websites. He has a Master’s in Journalism from the University of Kansas. He has shared his viewpoints on the Kirkwood Missouri City Council shooting with the New York Times, Newsweek, MSN, and local media outlets in St. Louis. He is still…
Kirkwood mass shooting survivor pens book on survival, moving forward Edwardsville resident, former journalist shot twice pens books Todd Smith, Reporter Who Survived Kirkwood Mass Shooting, Writes Book Shooting Survivor Tells Tale Reporter Todd Smith’s scars will never heal after Kirkwood New York Times Interview on Losing Job After Taking a Bullet for My Newspaper Giving Back to the Community After the Shooting MSNBC Interview…
 NICKI J. MARKUS/ASTA IDONEA: Author Editing Interview A Few Questions About Me HOMETOWN READS: Marketing Your First Book WROTE PODCAST A Deep Wound You Don’t Feel at First M.D. NEU: Author Q&A on the Book and the Shootings ELISABETH HAMILL: Q &A: Creativity as An Answer to Violence: Todd Smith’s Murder, Romance, and Two Shootings MATT DOYLE: Author Interview: Todd Smith KEVIN KLEHR: Guest Post at…
PREVIEW February 7, 2008 Ten years without being shot and then another bullet had pierced my body. It was surreal. Once again, I was lying on a hospital gurney in a trauma center while emergency personnel was in a flurry of activity around me. I was having trouble concentrating. Focus. I took a deep breath and looked down at my blood-stained clothes, a seeping bandage…
