Recently I enjoyed a wonderful 10-day road trip in Missouri. I’ve decided to do a few articles about that, starting with NATURE! So this one, a wistful photo documentary, is for all the nature lovers. Check out these photos, then PLEASE leave a Comment letting me know which ones you like best. Nature in Missouri …rivers, springs, mountains, caves, and so much more!
Big Spring…Place & Thing & Spring & Beauty
The largest freshwater spring in Missouri, “Big Spring”, can be found near the southeastern town of Van Buren. Find highway 60 and then head south on highway 103 and you will enter the park. It is part of the Ozark National Scenic Riverways that protects over 130 miles of the Current and Jacks Fork Rivers. Once you have found it, you may never want to leave. This place of quiet beauty is a fine example of soothing natural splendor at its best.
Alley Spring Could Make Your Heart Sing
Alley Spring and the Alley Mill were featured on a quarter in 2017 as part of celebrating America the Beautiful. After you leave Big Spring, take highway 60 to Winona then 19 to Eminence and finally 106 to Alley Spring. The extremely friendly park rangers there will gladly and patiently answer all your questions about the blue water and all fascinating local natural resources. See the one room schoolhouse and the general store before you depart.
Be Brave & Rave About This Cave
In the charming and nostalgic town of Hannibal, Missouri, you can prove that you are brave by touring Mark Twain Cave. Of course, later you will rave about all you learned inside. The narrow passages are dimly lit and chilly. You can experience total darkness and see a hideout used by Jesse James. Enjoy tales about the fictional characters Tom Sawyer and Becky Thatcher as you search for signatures written on the walls.
Fun Of Driving In The Mountains
Dang, y’all, this writer lives in a fairly flat section of Florida. So I was thrilled to take a drive early one morning in the misty mountains of Missouri. Every twist and hairpin turn was a total joy. Pockets of thick mist are so enchanting and tiny hints of blue sky simply seem to promise that more adventure will be around every curve. Traffic was very light that day and, of course, so was my spirit.
Abundant Colors Along The Riverbanks And Bluffs
Tiny white clouds in the blue sky fade into the background as the give and take of yellow sunshine and brown shadow play among the green and purple trees. The multiple tones of brown and gray rocks give way to yellow foliage in the foreground. Why do such colors thrill me so? I don’t rightly know. They are a playful and peaceful party in my mind.
This Color Is Called Stellar Pink
What do you think of the stellar pink shade of flower found on this dogwood? I spied this gorgeous young specimen on the grounds of White Haven (part of U.S.Grant historic site) just ten or so miles south of downtown St. Louis, Missouri. The bush was only four feet high and should grow into a lovely tree.
Oh Cow, How Art Thou?
Usually cows run away when a stranger approaches. But these adorable bovines stood stoically still and studied me just as I studied them in their meadow. Then the little darlings once again quietly chewed their cud and contemplated the cosmos. After my own brief cow admiration and self-deliberation, I decided upon salad in lieu of hamburger.
Happy Diamond Dew On Rising Ground
Has the sight of grass ever inspired you to recite a poem? When I found this mound of rising ground wet with dew that shined like diamonds, I recalled a haiku I had written years before. “Grass in the morning is wet with tears of angels, maybe tears for me.” These dewdrops do seem like happy tears.
Whether Or Not Nature Is Weather
Have you ever experienced weird weather in Missouri? In that span of 10 days I saw torrential rain, flooding, a rock slide, and two tornadoes. A dear friend and I were forced to cut short our photo shoot and sit in her car for about an hour due to a sudden hail storm. On the positive side, I did see a rainbow and a double rainbow. I just had to wonder how much powerful and weird weather this old barn has survived…and how much longer it may stand.
Does nature take back or reclaim her own…quickly or slowly? We may say slowly if we watch growth creep up weekly or monthly. This once beautiful house could take decades to deteriorate and become uninhabitable. Just the thought makes me eerily pensive, perhaps wistful…and oh the stories it inspires.
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Plan your Missouri road trip with great info https://www.visitmo.com/ Riverways info can be found here https://www.nps.gov/ozar/learn/index.htm Mark Twain Cave info website is https://www.marktwaincave.com/ Grant site is https://www.nps.gov/ulsg/index.htm
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Thanks for stopping by and I do hope you left a kind Comment! Which photo did you love?
