Tag: state parks

Arches are strong. A truss holds both vertical and horizontal.

Combine the two building methods into one structure and you end up with a covered bridge which served for ninety-plus years.

Union Covered Bridge, one of Missouri’s four remaining covered bridges, was opened to traffic in 1871 and continued in service until into the 1960’s.

Stone piers at either end of the bridge supported the truss system. An arch of oak timbers also abutted the piers closer to the bottom and gave the entire bridge additional strength.

I wonder who crossed the bridge first. A buggy carrying the builder? The mayor of the nearest town? A farm wagon with sacks of grain on the way to the mill?

The final crossing was a dump truck of gravel. It was all a little much for the aged floor (no matter the roof had protected the deck from decades of weather damage).

The structure is maintained by Missouri’s state park system. Take a drive in the country and enjoy a visit. Walk across. Admire the construction. Imagine the people, animals, and vehicles which crossed during those years of active service.

Clapboard siding and wood-shingled roof are features photographers of all sorts capture. Including fictional ones such as our heroine in Morning Tryst, a later-in-life romance. More than history and scenery is to be found if you keep an open mind — and heart. Follow the link for complete book blurb: https://amzn.to/35gH37S

Where are the elephants? All I see are rocks.

I thought we were going to a quarry.

A pleasant drive from St. Louis and you’ll hear these and other unexpected questions from children of all ages.

Actually, the elephants in this state park are rocks– red granite to be precise.

Pushed toward the surface, rounded, and smoothed through the centuries, the rock’s value as building material was recognized in the mid-19th century. You can see the finished stone in St. Louis’ Eads Bridge and the Iowa and Illinois state capitol buildings.

Remnants of the quarry remain. Just follow the signs when you hike the trail. Or read the messages workmen left on the elephants.

Clamor up on the elephants backs to find a view that goes on for miles and miles and miles. No fear of this elephant ambling away or tickling you with their trunk.

Parks and photographs have been paired since the first cameras. Sunrise and sunset have always been popular topics. The tradition continues in the later-in-life romance, Morning Tryst. Read about what else can happen when you follow the link to the book blurb: https://amzn.to/35gH37S

What’s a park to do? Here you are, demonstrating your wide variety of flora and fauna while hosting thousands of visitors in your unique river and rock formations — then…

Wham! Before dawn a nearby reservoir collapses. Rocks, trees, roads, anything and everything was pushed along by 1.3 billion gallons of water. The first twelve minutes were the worst. Weeks and months were required for things to settle and begin to move toward a new normal.

Humans, being humans, intervened. They moved debris. They found the former river channel and coaxed a return. They built new roads. Built the campground in a new location. Things were looking good a few years after that terrible night.

Wham! This time wind, not water, changed my landscape. Gale-force, straight line wind invaded. Trees tumbled — lots and lots of them.

Humans arrived and surveyed the new landscape. They removed trees which had become logs and then marveled at the new growth of prairie fobs and grasses.

I’m doing well. Seventeen years later I’m back to hosting both campers and day visitors. Bring your camera, a hat, sturdy boots and hike some of my trails. Or swimsuit and sandals plus sunhat if you want to bask on a rock in the middle of my river. Johnston’s Shut-Ins State Park is proud to welcome you.I’m doing well. Seventeen years later I’m back to hosting both campers and day visitors. Bring your camera, a hat, sturdy boots and hike some of my trails. Or swimsuit and sandals plus sunhat if you want to bask on a rock in the middle of my river. Johnston’s Shut-Ins State Park is proud to welcome you.I’m doing well. Seventeen years later I’m back to hosting both campers and day visitors. Bring your camera, a hat, sturdy boots and hike some of my trails. Or swimsuit and sandals plus sunhat if you want to bask on a rock in the middle of my river. Johnston’s Shut-Ins State Park is proud to welcome you.I’m doing well. Seventeen years later I’m back to hosting both campers and day visitors. Bring your camera, a hat, sturdy boots and hike some of my trails. Or swimsuit and sandals plus sunhat if you want to bask on a rock in the middle of my river. Johnson Shut-Ins State Park is proud to welcome you.

Fictional photographer Serena Carter set up camp here and worked at this and several near-by parks and sites. Find adventure, romance, and an introduction to Missouri State Parks in the later-in-life romance, Morning Tryst.

Link to the book: https://amzn.to/35gH37S

The dictionary defines this term as bringing back to a former position or condition.

It is a very apt term to describe Missouri’s Cuivre River State Park. Since public ownership began in 1933, the land which had been cut over, planted, and grazed as marginal farmland, has been restored to forest, meadow, and ponds.

By careful use of fire and other methods, the land now supports a wide variety of plants and animals.By careful use of fire and other methods, the land now supports a wide variety of plants and animals.

Spring in the woodlands.

Park roads, bridges, and buildings are largely the work of the 1930’s Civilian Conservation Corps. Excellent facilities for groups are used by a variety of organizations.

Imagine a day, or more, slowing the tempo of your life to more closely match nature’s pace. You may restore yourself — body and mind.

Morning Tryst, a later-in-life romance, is set against the beauty and history of state parks. Join our photographer during her year discovering more than gorgeous sunrises. Follow the link for more book information: https://amzn.to/35gH37S

Summer is picnic season. A simple, portable meal served in pleasant surroundings with friends or family. I think I found the perfect spot for two or more adults.

Shade tree. Grass. Lake.

Park the car in the lot, grab a blanket and your picnic basket, and cross the road. Stroll down the slope and select your spot. In the shade? Bask in the sun?

What do you have in your basket? Fried chicken or cold-cut sandwiches? Potato salad or chips? Cake or cookies? Wine or lemonade? (Driver better go easy on the alcohol.)

This little portion of Missouri’s Long Branch State Park sparks thoughts of romance in this writer’s mind. A long conversation over an outdoor meal could deepen feelings of compatibility. Perhaps a long-married couple can talk through some problems in the peaceful surroundings. I wonder if that shade tree has witnessed marriage proposals.

Meals at the campsite replace picnics in the later-in-life romance, Morning Tryst. Photographer Serena Carter is tasked with capturing images in state parks during all seasons. However, on a few occasions, a special guest joins her for a meal, conversation, or adventure. Click on the link for more book information: https://amzn.to/35gH37S

Mother Nature is a great artist. No one puts on a scenic display like she does.

Think of it: Clouds from faint wisps to dark thunderheads. Trees from delicate spring green, bold broad leaves, fall displays, and evergreens contrasting with the background. Streams with rapids and waterfalls. Rock displays and arrangements like you can’t believe.

Speaking of belief. These giants at Missouri’s Elephant Rock State Park are best believed in person. Red granite. Pushed up to the surface. Quarried — ooops! Mother nature does not quarry. No — human hands are evident in this park in more than the paved path.

The rocks, and their position on this particular surface are real and natural. The worker’s initials engraved on many of them are real — and man-made.

This site is one of many Missouri State Parks where camping is not allowed. In the later-in-life romance, Morning Tryst, the photographer set up her motorhome at a different park, fourteen miles away. Check out the book at the link: https://amzn.to/3vWydWE