Top 12 Hikes in the St. Louis Region aka The Great 2020 Pivot

My writing used to be more music-focused, until Covid took the music away - temporarily. 

I went to a LOT of shows and spent a lot of time writing about live music events. I had just worked up the nerve to start concert photography when Covid came down upon us like the ultimate party pooper of the century. Black Lips at the Duck Room on March 10th was to be my first photography gig. Unfortunately, the guest list didn't work out and I was still timid enough that I took the small obstacle as an opportunity to completely chicken out. "Op! Wasn't meant to be! Guess I'll have to try again another time!!" Little did I know there wouldn't be another time for a long time. Two days later, the Melted Musical Festival we were supposed to attend in Columbus, Ohio got cancelled. The photo above is the closest I can get to concert photography at the moment - a picture of my TV streaming OSees live at Big Sur, which Ryan surprised me with as an early Christmas gift. I love them so much and was so excited to see them at Melted this year. :'( 

Somewhere around here I have a picture of myself standing in that exact spot when we visited Big Sur two years ago. ^_^

Nine months later, we're still waiting for live music to come back. In the meantime, I filled the void with hiking! And it has been life-changing. When Ryan and I ask ourselves what of our Covid-time life changes might we want to keep when things get back to 'normal', hiking is at the top of the list. I wouldn't have done as much if all the other life options weren't wiped off the table, and I'm thankful I had the (forced) opportunity to focus my attention on another thing that brings me so much joy. 

Anyways, all that is to say, in addition to my usual Top 10 Albums lists for The Arts STL, I included a Top 12 Hikes list this year. Hope you find some good ones to check out or revisit!