Morning!

December walks on the trail

It's too cold, it's too rainy, ah, it's just perfect for a tranquil and magical walk out in the woods. Here's Russell Mountain along the Taum Sauk Section of the Ozark Trail.  This is a really easy spot to get to, you don't need to be a seasoned hiker to go and experience this area.  Located on hwy C a mile or so from Highway 21 south of Arcadia, Missouri.

Happy Thanksgiving!  I'm thankful for this time of the year, one of my favorites to be out in nature.  Above is a photo of a recently emerged Adam and Eve orchid leaf.

The first day of Fall is happening this week, man this year has zoomed by!  With the cooler weather comes all of the great opportunities to get outside and hike and ride.  This weekend is the 12 hour event at Land Between the Lakes in Kentucky.  October 1^st is the Sequatchie Valley Century and bike ride just down the road from my home in Tennessee.  I hope some of you will make the trip for this terrific ride through this incredibly beautiful valley.  I’ll be riding that one, and I hope I can make it, I haven’t ridden much in the last few months because of a nagging knee injury and an achy back, but I’ll do this ride even if I have to cut it short, it’s too pretty to miss.   Come on down!

Yellow Fringed Orchid

These beauties are blooming now.  I saw these along the road side near our Tennessee house.  In Missouri this orchid is considered rare and one of the most beautiful and found in six counties.

Summer time Orchids

The Cranefly Orchid (Tipularia Nuttall) is in bloom now.  I haven't found it on the Ozark Trail yet, if you see it let me know.  It might be hot out there on the trail, but if you want to see the summer blooming orchids it's time to hit the trail.  Sure, you'll probably get ticks and chiggers, but it's the only time to see Adam-and-Eve, rattlesnake and Ladies tresses orchids.

Piliated woodpecker feeding young

A rare white crested iris!

Trail flowers

Dwarf crested Irish in bloom.  Love these flowers, always a treat to see.

 

Wildflower time!

Wildflowers are starting to pop up, time to get out there on the trail.

Columbines will be blooming soon.

Ozark Trail AssociationSpring Mega Event

Saturday April 30th

Mega-fun time is here: register for the Spring2010 Mega Event on April 30. This time we'll be tackling the Berryman Trail re-route.

We call this a "Mega Event" for a reason - it's one of our largest events of the fall construction season. Make new friends, renew friendships and create lasting memories as you join some of the the best people around who love to build trail. Kids, dogs, grandma and grandpa are welcome so be sure to reserve a spot today.

This Mega is based at Bass' Resort and there is free camping available Friday and Saturday night. Complimentary lunch on the trail will be provided topped off with an evening BBQ, bonfire, live bluegrass music, raffles and more!

If you missed out on past Megas, don't miss this one. All attendees must sign work releases to participate: you can find it here: http://ozarktrail.com/documents/releaseagreement.doc.

For more information and to register, see http://ozarktrail.com/workparties.php. More information and maps will be posted closer to the event.

Ozark Trail Informational Meeting

Ozark Trail Informational Meeting

MDC Nature Center, Springfield Mo

Thursday, March 24 at 7:00 p.m.

The rugged, natural beauty of the Ozark Trail will be highlighted at an informational meeting on Thursday, March 24 at the MDC Springfield Nature Center. Join us as we describe the Ozarks where you will find mountains, hills and knobs, with valleys filled with springs, crystal-clear streams, shut-ins and waterfalls, trimmed by bluffs and riddled with caves.  The OT travels through hardwood forests, stands of pines, savannas filled with black-eyed Susan's and glades dotted by purple coneflowers. The OT is also home to a diversity of nature including deer, turkey, bobcat, bear, songbirds and bald eagles which you may see as you hike along the trail. The Ozark Trail winds and meanders through some of the most diverse places on the planet and in one word is....splendid!

You'll find that there is a place to bring your boots, bike or horse to one of the many sections with trips from just a few miles to 140 miles. We'll guarantee it will take away the stress and leave a smile on your face!  No sign up is needed, just come with your sense of adventure!!!  This event is being done by the Missouri Department of Conservation and the Ozark Trail Association.

Mina Sauk Falls-Taum Sauk Section of the Ozark Trail

Here's a few pictures from Mina Sauk Falls.  This is Missouri's tallest (wet-weather) waterfall, which means it dries up when there's not much rain or melting snow.  This is a beautiful area and the waterfall is less than 1 1/2 (3 miles round trip) miles one way from the parking lot at the top of Taum Sauk Mountain State Park.  At the park there are restrooms and rustic camping.  A word of caution, this trail is very rocky and there are some steep areas, and cliffs.

Harbinger of Spring

It might not seem like spring time today, but spring is just around the corner.  Keep on the look out for the little Harbinger of Spring wildflower, they should be blooming now.

Taum Sauk post cards and mouse pads

We now have post cards and mouse pads available.  The photo is from on top of Mina Sauk Falls on the Taum Sauk Section of the Ozark Trail.  -Enjoy!

WOW spot! Overlook on video Blair Creek Seciton

I've had several people ask me about the scenic overlook that appears in the video below, the overlook is on the Blair Creek Section, about 1.5 miles north of the Powder Mill Trailhead located on Hwy 106 (east of Eminence, MO). A photo of this spot with the late John Roth appears on page 68 of The Ozark Trail Guidebook. If you would like to visit this beautiful spot it's only a short aprox. 1.5 mile walk from the Trailhead parking lot. The view is terrific and in the spring and summer this area has some beautiful wildflowers.
To get there take Highway 106 east out of Eminence, Missouri 13.2 miles and after the Current River bridge turn right into the Powder Mill (National Park Service Scenic Rivers)parking area. There is a short spur trail that goes up toward Hwy 106, cross the highway, be careful, fast moving vehicles. The trail heads up the hill on the north side of the highway (east side of the river). The trail is narrow with some hills. for more photos click here.

Blair Creek Section of the Ozark Trail scenic over look of the Current River.

Turners Mill near the Eleven Point Section of the Ozark Trail

the 26 foot tall steel overshot waterwheel

hauled to the site in about 1915 in sections by oxen

the spring up in the cliff above the waterwheel

The remains of Turners Mill can be found near the Eleven Point Section of the Ozark Trail.  This was once the community of Surprise, Missouri, and was named after J. L. C. Turners petition for a post office here was accepted.  All that remain now are the 26 foot tall steel wheel, a concrete flume, chimney and what looks to be the stone foundation of the mill. Located 2.1 miles south of McCormack Lake on Highway 19 (page 117 in the Ozark Trail Guidebook), turn onto  FR3152 and go six miles on this gravel road, then turn on FR 3190 and go another three miles.

Bike Monkey Magazine

I took this photo during the summer at Raccoon Mountain in Chattanooga, TN and this month it's featured in Bike Monkey Magazine.  An old bike friend, Kim Dow, is the Creative Director, if you haven't seen the magazine or subscribe, check it out, it's the most cutting edge and interesting bike magazine that I've seen in a long time.

A few more of my Favorite Things

long rides: love doing those 4+ hour rides, this was on the Ozark Trail

Monarchs: all butterflies are wonderful, just something special for me about the Monarchs

Picking Sea Shells: love hanging out on the beach and looking at shells

Pine Trees: I love to hear the breeze through the pines

Dino: and other dino sculptures along the road sides

Buckey Pillows: these are the Buckey monster pillow toys, they also make wonderful pillows-a must have

Dogwood Trees: love it in the spring when they bloom with the red bud trees

Missouri Ozarks: my favorite place

Lichens: one of my favorite plants, this big patch is in Big South Fork National Recreation Area in Tennessee

Sunsets: wow, what else can one say

Golden Retrievers: Mattie is such a wonderful friend

Snow angels:  just fun, once made a mud angel and got terrible poison ivy

riding across a state:  This year I rode across Kentucky, just something about the experience of riding from border to border with nothing else to do but ride and enjoy

Hiking with friends: or just hanging out with lifelong friends, we always pick up where we were and is always a pleasure

Riding with my brother: this was one of my most rewarding things this year, this guy is awesome, has endured a lot, and deserves to be incredibly happy.  I loved seeing him happy out on the rides we did this year.  Ward- you ROCK!

Bluebells: one of the first colorful flowers in the spring, love to see the patches of them along the rivers when we canoe

Riding with my best friends: there is nothing more fun than seeing new places with those most cherished, this is Marys Loop in Fruita, CO

Gardening: how rewarding to grow your own food-love it

Fresh grown lettuce and spinach- tasty, love the idea of planting, growing, harvesting and eating.

There you have it, more of my favo things.  I'm so thrilled with the year we have just had and excited about 2011 and the enjoyable endeavours coming our way.  Happy New Year

A Few of my Favorite things.....................

Native Orchids:  I go looking for these and am surprised at how most happen in the most common places, road sides, backyards, this yellow fringe orchid had a little attack bug sitting in wait

Newts, Salamanders and lizards:  I love these things, here is a spotted newt,this one is by a waterfall by our Tennessee house

Tadpoles:  and springtime puddle looking.  I don't like the destruction that 4-wheelers do to our public lands, but treasures can often be found in the water filled ruts that they create.  Frog, toad and salamander eggs and tadpoles, take a look this spring

Blackberries:  I love to walk along in the summer and eat the blackberries trail side and road side

Wild Blueberries:  these are a treat in the woods

These Ziplock jars are great for leftovers, or whatever, and the plus is that the lid fits the different sizes-love that

Campfires: love to just sit alone or with friends-one of my most favorite things

the Statue of Liberty: just something about her that I love-if you haven't been, put it on your list to go do

Delicate Arch: go sit and watch as the light changes through the day.  One of my most awesome moments in life was sitting here and watching the sunset, then hiking out in the dark along the cliffs-the cliffs were not on the awesome list, but the sunset was magnificent

Scooter: don't have one, but they are cool

Hand made soaps: I love a nice hand made soap

Outside showers: this one is at the campground at Land Between the Lakes, Kentucky.

Canoeing the rivers of Missouri-there are no better streams to meander on

Words that inspire

Honda Elements: I use to be a Jeep person, but this Element has been so practical -I love it and all wheel drive

VW campers: don't have one but wish they would make these again

Bottle trees:  saw these at one of the B&B's in Georgia, sort of neat

Packing for a trip: I enjoy that thrill of whats to come

Hot Tomato Cafe, Fruita, Colorado: this is a place you must go to, great pizza and people my favorite place to eat

Zinnias: as a little girl I planted these with marigolds in our flower garden with mom.  This is my favorite garden flower.

BBQ: Pork Chops and veggies cooked on the campfire or BBQ

Cupcakes: not cake, or cookies, but cupcakes, well, really the buttercream frosting homemade of course.

Favorite author: Sue Hubbell, I just really enjoy her books about nature.

Sushi: ooo la la-yum

Making Suet for the birds

garden gloves- just the right pair makes gardening even more enjoyable

Keen sandels: have two pairs that I will wear until they can no longer be repaired

Pumpkins: they're just fun

GPS: It took me until 2010 to give in and get one, this has been  a surprise favorite thing.  Here yes, we are in the water, getting the boat out of the lake and on to the trailer.

Sea Planes: flying in a sea plane is just a thrill, especially if its going to a small tropical island.

Pens:  I have a pen fixation, gel pens mostly and nice markers

Light Houses: pure coolness, these structures were built so long ago and are amazing

Honda Element: again, how many cars can you get a swimming pool in?

Jamis Eclipse Road bike: Steel is real, this bike has an amazing ride, comfortable, light and built for the long rides, the American Classic wheels are great also

Ox Heart Tomatoes:  these heirloom tomatoes have amazing flavor, if you can find them try them.  In 2011 I'm going to try to grow them

Tiki Torches: they're fun, got to have some

Lettuce spinner and greens keeper:  these two items are awesome, the lettuce keeper does just that, keeps lettuce and spinach nice and crisp in the fridge

Canned Tomatoes: growing things in the garden then preserving them to eat later in the year, I just love that!

Hand made Pottery: love stuff made by locals we find on our travels

Hats and Buffs: I'm a hat and buff freak blacks and browns are my favos right now

Compost Bin:  this one is terrific, sits on the counter and has a charcoal filter, easy to carry out to the compost pile, no bugs, no smells. Plus, it was picked up at a garage sale

Of course inspired by the Julie Andrews song, whiskers on kittens and snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes.....  here are a few "things" that are my favorites, enjoy!