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Sunday, February 28, 2010

Winter Hiking

These are the reasons why I enjoy hiking during the winter months.

1) NO TICKS! Yes, I can handle bees, snakes, spider webs, and poison ivy.  However, I hold ticks with great contempt.

2) No people.  I'm a sociable person but I hike to get away from the world.  Besides, I want to scream when someone is hiking on a trail while talking on their cell phone the entire time.

3) Free (mostly).  Fee access points are rarely in operation during December-February.

4) Scenic views.  Most Missouri bluff, hill, and mountain views are blocked my thick plant growth during the summer and fall months.  It is a pleasant experience to look down at t he rivers and valleys of SE MO.

5) Naked Trees.  You simply do not realize how massive some trees are until you see them sans leaves.

6) No heat.  You can always dress in layers to stay warm during a winter hike, but it's nearly impossible to stay cool during summer months.

7) Crows.  Yes, summertime does bring the beautiful sounds of song birds, but there is something hauntingly beautiful about crows and their caws.

8) Rock formations.  I can better observe rock formations when the grass and growth have died back.  There is something enchanting about large boulders and smaller rocks in a forest.

9 Green!  During summer, most spring fed rivers and lakes are bluish in color, while winter months brings the most beautiful green hue to the waters

10 Snow.  Snow is beautiful and it is a remarkable to sight to see mother nature cloaked in a winter wonderland.

Bonus reason: It's rarely that cold in Southeast Missouri.  There are people all over the world from Vermont to Finland who are out and about during winter months, why not us Missourians?

What are your reasons for winter hikes?

Saturday, February 27, 2010

You Cannot Take This Park for Granite

Elephant Rock State Park is one of the top talked about and respected parks in Missouri.  It seems every google search for a Missouri park  shows Elephant Rock near the top of list, but I did not understand why until recently.  I went to Missouri's Arcadia Valley to visit Tom Sauk Mountain and make a quick stop nearby to see the elephant rocks.  To be honest, I only wanted to visit because it was close to  other stops and not because I had any interest in seeing a bunch of over sized rock formations. However, it did not take long to appreciate the raw beauty of these geological wonders and to name the park as one of my favorite Missouri places.   
                                                                                     

Exploration is never just about seeing with one's eyes.  It is feeling textures, smelling the scents and aromas, hearing what is around (or what is not there), and occasionally tasting.   While climbing over giant granite rock in the park, I had the opportunity to walk the Braille Trail, which is the first of its kind in Missouri (Braille picture to your right belongs to Missouri State Parks website).   Visually impaired visitors can follow a rope to various points of interest and knots let them know of upcoming signs to read.  One sign tells the visitor to turn around directly behind them, kneel down, and feel the two holes drilled in a small rock.  Another sign tells the visitor to feel the bark texture of two different trees on the right and left, something that everyone should do while in a park.




Elephant Rocks


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Elephant Rock State Park

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