I would hate to think finding a slug eating puff balls would constitute the highlight of my day, but there I was, full of explorer zeal, celebrating my find by bending myself into awkward positions and leaning over slug slime to get photos. So now I’m the paparazzi of the slug set. But wait, it gets better!

There was the crime lab tech with his police cohorts at the scene of the smash-and-grab by the Zoo north lot (please conceal your valuables!), the shadowy jogger in Shakespeare Glen, the Serengeti Tree on Wildlife Island, the photographer who shoots film (Those were the days, my friend), a Muny Hornet’s nest, Joseph and Kimberly shooting  an Egret, lovers, the Backwards Boys, Senegalese, and more! Somehow, even my feet managed to make their way into the day’s photo record.

It was a happening spot today, as usual. But one thing that Forest Park doesn’t have that the Other Park in a Large Eastern City does, is vendors. Suppose you wanted to buy a hot dog while you lounged in front of the Grand Basin (Hey, Nate! Give me one with everything!)? Or maybe a cup of coffee and you don’t want to walk over to the Visitor’s Center (you can get a cuppa Joe there, but if you’re itching for a nitrate fix, forget it)?

STL just doesn’t have the crowd base to support vendors, I’m afraid, but that also means that there’s almost always a spot in America’s best urban park where you can be alone. Try that in NYC!