"We All Live Downstream" is a slogan you will see all over the USA that reminds us to take care of our waterways, wetlands, and the nature around them!
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| tree I found on Lakeshore Trail |
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Jake and Laura Lee at Wishbowl Falls in Dogwood Canyon
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7-11-12: What a great day in the Aux Arcs: a decent breeze, locusts (cicaidas) singing their love songs , and our Painted Bunting returned to us!
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| Painted Bunting at our feeder |
What a blessing to not only see this guy, but to have him hanging around out camper! We hadn't seen him in a few weeks -- nesting maybe?
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| i picked this up from the mailbox: it's a coconut that Gala rec'd from her mom in Hawaii |
7-12-12: David and I decided to visit Dogwood Canyon today. We got up early to beat the heat somewhat. Dogwood Canyon is about 40 min from Branson and is owned by the Bass Pro folks. It is a great treasure for southern MO. Most of it is still in it's natural condition with some man-made improvements and enhancements. We walked the 6.6 round trip trail. A couple of miles in, we crossed over into AR. They stop hikers and bikers at Wishbowl Falls -- beyond that are the herds of wildlife: elk, bison, and longhorns.
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| always a rebel |
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| Weir and limestone at Indian Springs |
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| caves where "bundles" have been found over the years, including the oldest body found in MO -- discovered in the 1990's |
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| one of many man-made weirs in the canyon |
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| David on the Amish-built covered bridge - they used handtools only |
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| the canyon had many of these stone bridges throughout |
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| view of Dogwood Creek |
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| a boulder on the creek |
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| this is behind the Hope Chapel |
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| Cave that is off limits now -- except during a tornado |
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| Native Americans planted trees in such a way as to point to places - this one points to the cave in the above pic |
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| one of David's cool shots |
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| great rock formations along the stream |
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| Great Spirit Shelter |
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| a deep pool below the shelter |
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| under the falls at the Great Spirit Shelter |
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| My guy behind the shelter falls |
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| catching a bit of a break behind the falls |
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| Glory Hole |
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| can you see the bear head on the side of the bridge? |
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| cascading weir |
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| low water bridge on Dogwood Creek |
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| turtle rocks from OK |
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| got swarmed by these pretty fellas |
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| where David's back began hurting - note the cave behind us |
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| we crossed into AR on the trail |
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| trapper's cabin and fly-fishing school --- and one of Johnny Morris' getaways |
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| Wish Bowl Falls --- end of the trail --- worth the hike!! |
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| beautiful, clear, blue/green water at Wish Bowl Falls |
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270 year old Sycamore in the above pic -- most of it had to be cut off due to storm damage |
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| David on one of the stone bridges |
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| guess this fella likes sweaty skin |
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| he looks a little chewed up, but still pretty |
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| speaking of chewed up -- think the beavers found this tree |
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| just one of many, many pools of rainbow trout |
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| they call this "kids' cave" because in some spots it's only 12-14 inches high |
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| tee pee used for events - I'm thinking that's one of the man-made things |
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| just a cool hole in a tree along the crick |
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| coming back up on the covered bridge |
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| bushwhacking! (didn't have my quacker) |
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| David at Emerald Pool |
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| David back at the Indian Spring |
Friday the 13th: Had some GOOD luck today. Cuzzin' Diane and Bob came to Branson to catch Three Dog Night. So we got to catch them for a great visit!
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| Bob and Diane at the Rib Crib |
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| Di and I |
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| the Branson Belle at night |
7-14-12 Today was David's first day as an official DAM TOUR GUIDE! He should be ready because each time we get in the truck to go do something fun, he starts reciting his dam info. If I try to talk, he says "Ma'am, no talking plz til we are through with the dam tour". SMH.
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| Rocky and I watched the dam tour drive away |
We got a little thunder, lightning, and a HUGE drop in temps today -- to 66!! Love it! Kinda like fall with the wind blowing the leaves down around us. Except they are brown from the drought.
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| the trolley in a much-appreciated rain |
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| Diane and Bob on 3rd floor observation deck |
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| my cuz and me at Table Rock |
Showed Bob and Diane around the Dewey Short VC.
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| 1921? Really? |
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a cairn in Table Rock
7-16-12: This morning before work David cranked up his bird calls on his ipad while we were sitting outside. He called for the Pileated Woodpecker and sho nuff! It buzzed us. Great sight. But we still want a pic of him!! |
7-20-12: Woke up to the news of the Aurora, CO theater massacre. 12 killed, 30 plus wounded. It was the midnight opening show of Batman - Dark Knight Rises. Too sad.
7-21-12: Bugfest at the Dewey Short Visitor Center.
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| checking out some live ones at the Bugfest at the Dewey Short Visitor Center |
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| a live locust - ok, cicaida |
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| edible crickets |
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| edible larvae |
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| think I'll try the cricket |
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| Here goes! Morgan and me. Just a couple of AR girls eatin' crickets for breakfast |
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| not bad. not good. |
7-23-12: Not too busy at work today -- other than the tall tales behind the desk!
Oh, and I met Clint - my birthday buddy.
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| Dam Tour Guides: Carl, Joshua, David, and Charlie |
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| Clint - my 12 year old birthday buddy |
7-24-12: Went out to our friend and coworker's (Sherryl) farmers market today. What a wonderful place and acreage they have. The view is outstanding!!
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| Sherryl's grandson, Brett, helping us tour the high tunnel |
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| dobber wasp hole (and see the pepper growing?) |
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| Sherryl and her granddaughter, Brooke |
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| Cicaida Killers aka Dobber Wasps -- huge hornet -looking things |
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| looking for more dobber wasp holes |
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| good watermelon patch -- see the melon? |
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| Sherryl's weed, a Poke Plant, which she keeps because it looks cool and the Scissortail Flycatchers like it |
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| Sherryl's babies (2 geese) run to her and begin talking to her when she approaches |
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| The Goose Goddess holds Mama Goose |
video of Sherryl teaching the geese to fly -- she just can't demo getting her feet off the ground!
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| Mama Goose let us pet her as long as Sherryl was holding her |
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| Sherryl and her family have a wonderful indoor farmer's market - Sherryl, Brooke, and Jennifer pictured |
Afterwards, we drove through Rockaway Beach. Kind of a neat place that is different from all the other towns around here. Interesting history. We will need to go back and get pix!
7-27-12: Yay!! Laura Lee and Jake arrived last night to spend a couple of days with us!
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| Hanging out at the camper |
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| Jake, Laura, and me |
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| ready to roll |
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| Jake and Laura waiting for me to catch up at the marina |
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| and we're off |
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| Me, Laura, Jake, and David: we rode to the Table Rock State Park Marina and back |
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| not sure why I'm the sweatiest |
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| Laura Lee headin' back down the trail |
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| Great story of how this conservation area came to be called Henning State Forest |
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| Me (still getting over the heat of the bike ride), Laura, and Jake at the Henning lookout |
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Laura Lee and Jake at Henning State Forest
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David and I said "bye" to our friend and coworker, Joshua, this morning. What a great young man. He's a grad of College of Ozarks here in Branson and will be starting seminary in L. A. soon. We luv ya, man!
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| David, me, Joshua, and Tammy |
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