Dad and I left the motel at 7:30. We hoped to get some miles in before the heat started baking. I took a photo of the breakfast spot from yesterday on the way out. Restaurant next to motel When I started to stop in Fair Grove, I noticed a Discount Sporting goods place across from the gas station I was initially going to pull into. Dad followed me and it was entertaining to see the various items inside. There were fun little signs, such as “I …
I had trouble sleeping through the snoring of two parents, and woke up tired. I had hoped to get some time in Springfield last night, but I arrived too late. If we pushed for Ash Grove, we could drive back into Springfield, but I wouldn’t get into there until late again. I decided to have a zero day and went to the office to pay for the second night in the room.
I woke up at 8 AM, after less than 5 hours of sleep. Dad had left at 5:50, to get an early start on the day. He slept at least an hour more that I did, even leaving early. Probably closer to 2 more. I stopped early at a gas station and taco bell to get some sports drink just before 10.
Today was my first day alone in quite a while. While dad had ridden ahead some days, we eventually linked up. The thunderstorm that was threatening us during dinner last night never passed and all evening was dry. I started slow and was left by the van as I sat down to apply my sunscreen.
When I finally got up, I was told that dad had ridden ahead. I started getting ready. I forgot to empty the camera’s memory cards and had to do that, along with several other things that I hadn’t thought of needing to do the night before. I didn’t get going until after I wanted.
The Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park is 8,470 acres around the East Fork of the Black River. The Shut-Ins are formed by blue-gray steel hard volcanic rock. These rocks were formed when violent volcanic eruptions exploded, causing material to avalanche down layer upon layer, forming the rocks exposed today. The rocks were covered with sedimentary such as limestone, sandstone and shale. After a major uplift that caused the Ozark region, the water …
I found a few roads that took us back to the Trans-Am route at Doe Run. The GPS helps again. We headed into Pilot Knob (named for a local mountain peak.) Pilot Knob and Iron Mountain were both mined heavily for their Iron Ore in the early 1800’s. Before the railroad made it to the area, the ore was hauled out on horse and mule drawn wagons. This is a feat in itself. Eventually the railroad came in to haul out the ore. During the Civil War, this …
I woke up and heard dad tell mother that it was 7 o’clock, when I clearly knew it was 6. I woke back up when it was actually 7. They are still wrapping their mind around this whole different time zone thing. We packed up tents, hit the restrooms up the hill in the park and got moving. It took mother about 200 yards in front of us with the van to find a yard sale that looked interesting. :) This was good, because I forgot to see what snacks she …
I woke up about 8 AM and wanted to take a look at the Weather Channel. I had it on for a bit while I hit the restroom, and soon all I heard was static on the television. I admit, it was better than the annoying elevator music that normally plays on the Weather Channel. The bad part was the visual data that was missing. Oh, well. Channel up gives more fuzz. About that time I hear “[knock], [knock], [knock], It’s us.”
I woke up around 7 and started getting things together. I was feeling a little better that yesterday morning and I wanted to get started before the bad heat. I talked with a lady that was in the campground to bush-hog a little for the owner. The registration sign was asking for $18 to camp, which is pretty stiff for someone not using any of the horse facilities. I asked what they charge for people who arrive after 9 PM and leave before 8 AM. $18 …
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