2015 – 07 – 25: Scenic Destinations Day 41 - Exploring Missouri

From Mari Osa Delta Campground, Jefferson City, Missouri

To Lake of the Ozarks State Park 

Total Distance Traveled:  65 miles

It rained most of the night, so I had to close the windows of the car to keep the raindrops out.  I was very thankful for my fan as it would have been a hot and stuffy sleep without it.

In the morning I did get some work done on my travel notes and photos before packing up.  This gave my tent cover time to dry, before I had to roll and pack it up.  

I thought that the storm would have cooled the air, but by the time I was packed it was extremely nice to have a shower to freshen up before leaving. Even the slightest exertion was uncomfortable in this heat.

View to the Osage River 

Leaving the camp grounds I followed Hwy 63 south toward Westphalia before turning west onto Hwy 133 toward Painted Rock Conservation area.  

Here I stopped for a nice scenic hike to see the Osage River. There were some incredible views!

On the trail I came across the huge turtle.  What an amazing encounter.

There were some very negative reviews about this conservation area on the internet so I can only imagine there has been a lot of cleaning up work done since those reviews because I found the roads and parking lot well maintained and clean.  The trails were well marked and overall I had a good impression of this park. The only thing that would have made it even better would have been a toilet facility and possible a source of drinking water. 

From there I followed Scenic byways through farmlands and small towns. 

Some of the farms were reminiscent of "Little House on the Prairie Days, where I expected any moment to run into the Ingle family. 

Other farms, with their tumbled down barns, reminded me that the days of small family farms are an endangered lifestyle.

Meta 

Hwy 133 took me through Meta. Then I continued on Hwy 52 south through St Elizabeth to Tuscumbia. 

At Tuscumbia I crossed the bridge over the Osage River into the town.  When crossing the bridge I got a pretty good idea what a large river this is. 

The last part of my day's drive was to Lake of the Ozarks State Park where I registered for the night.  I had my campsite all set up and organized by 3 PM.   It was so hot! Even with my electric fan running a constant breeze on my face I felt uncomfortably hot. 

beach at Lake of the Ozarks 

To try to cool off I went swimming in the Lake of Ozarks. The water was almost bathtub warm but even so it felt very refreshing just to be in the water. 

Later, as evening approached, I relaxed at my camp site.  It was most awesome to see deer coming from the forest to eat at the camp site across the street. I was talking to Mel and to Michael on the phone at the time and got to share my excitement with them. 

I decided on a cold dinner (pickles and beet slices), it was simply too hot to cook.

After showering once again, hoping to cool my body temperature down, exhausted  from the heat, I crawled into my tent for an early night.  I think with the rain and the heat yesterday I did not sleep so well and tiredness has caught up with me.  

One of my last thoughts for the day; I am starting to want to get “really clean”!  Clean clothes, a non-shared shower, and some relief from the heat.  And the bugs!  I am tired of being itchy with bites too.  Maybe this is just a symptom of the heat or maybe after 41 days on the road I am starting to long for the comforts of home. 

Renate Dundys Marrello 
2015 - 07 - 25

Link to see all of the day's pictures

Link to my Facebook Reflections Page


Route map for the day

2015 – 07 – 24: Scenic Destinations Day 40 - Exploring Missouri

From Arrow Rock State Historic Park, Arrow Rock Missouri 

To Mari Osa Delta Campground, Jefferson City, Missouri 

Total Distance Traveled: 95 miles

I started my morning with a relaxing enjoyment of the campsite before packing and setting out for the day. 

My first stop was a visit the historic town of Arrow Rock. I especially enjoyed the beautiful old building and the rock lined rain gutter. 

I also took a walk to the historic Lewis and Clark Marker but the view was obstructed by large bushy underbrush. 

Leaving the town I followed Hwy 41 south toward I-70.  I pulled into the DeBourgmount Access point  to get a view of the Lamine River, one of the many tributary rivers to the Missouri.  Here there was another Lewis and Clark history marker and a scenic overlook to the Lamine River and the Hwy 41  bridge.

From here I had to travel along the I-70 interstate to get to the town of Booneville; where I stopped in Harley Park  for a scenic overlook to the Missouri River and a lunch break.  

My next stop was in historic Boonville, the train station, old factories, and Katy Trail information. 

After driving through the old main street through the town of Boonville,

I went to see Warm Springs Ranch; which is a breeding farm for Budweiser Clydesdale horses.  

I was so looking forward to this tour, only to learn that it by reservation only!  

I was rather disappointed, as were the other two cars of tourists that showed up at the same time. 

Retracing my way back to the main highway I stopped at the Peach Tree Farm because I saw an outdoor exhibit of old wagons. The one that really caught my eye as unique and different was the police wagon. 

I-70 bridge over the Missouri River 

Continuing east, I crossed the Missouri River once more on I-70 and into the town of Columbia MO for a fuel break. 



Leaving Columbia, I headed south on Hwy 163 to Rock Bridge State Park.  As I left the car I noted that the temperature today had already climbed to +36C / 97F.  It seemed like a perfect day to visit the promised coolness of the Devil's Icebox. 

A pleasant tree canopied trail led past the Rock Bridge and meandered beside the small brook where many visitors where splashing in the cool stream waters. 

Climbing down several steep staircases I arrived at the cave and the promised cool breezes coming from it. Several other park guests were enjoying the icy refreshing water in the shade of the cave. 

Getting back to the car I was surprised to see that the temperatures has continued to climb during my 2 hour hike and now had reached 43 C / 109 F.  It sure was a scorcher today. 

Jefferson City - Capital Building

My next destination, continuing south on Hwy 63 and crossing the Missouri River yet again, was downtown Jefferson City (state capital).  

Here I stopped for a walkabout to see the capital building and nearby attractions (Carnahan Memorial Gardens, the circa 1930s Governor's Mansion), and of course another view of the Missouri River. 

From here I drove east through the city to stop at another river overlook in Riverside Park with more Lewis and Clark historic markers. 

With groceries running low I stopped for some shopping before heading east along Hwy 50 over the Osage River to Mari Osa Delta Campground.  

I settled in for the evening in a delightful camp site with a view to the Osage River. I sure was glad to have my electric fan with me this evening.  

It was interesting to watch the changing skyscapes of the evening with storm clouds brewing to the west while clear skies and the moon visible in the east.

Not surprisingly there was a severe thunderstorm during the night.  

Renate Dundys Marrello 
2015 - 07 - 24

Link to see all of the day's pictures

Link to my Facebook Reflections Page


Route maps for the day

overview map for today's journey

Boonville to Warm Springs Ranch and Peach Tree Farm

Route to Jefferson  City 

Route to Mari Osa Delta Campgrounds 

2015 – 07 – 22 & 23: Scenic Destinations Day 38 & 39 - Exploring Missouri

From Cameron Missouri

To Arrow Rock State Historic Park, Arrow Rock Missouri

Total Distance Traveled: 131 miles

Today I was up early and on the road east along hwy 36.  I love the soft light of the morning sun and the dew on the fields.  In some places there were glimpses of mist in the low areas.

When I spotted the sign for  Locust Creek Covered Bridge Historic Site I was drawn to do a brief side trip.  Sometimes those unexpected signs lead you to some delightful treasures and adventures.  I loved the sign warning about flooded roads and so I was not surprised to find much of the hiking trail to the covered bridge covered by water. 

With the slanting rays of the early morning sun gleaming of the leaves of the trees it was like a walk in an enchanted forest. 

I love exploring covered bridges and the glimpse they give into live in a different era.  

The condition of the old roads clearly indicated that travel was not reliable in this area during times of high water levels.

Leaving this historic site the roads were so empty of vehicular traffic that I passed several rabbits scampering across the gravel to disappear into the grasses by the roadside 

Then I spotted this delightful vine covered old barn and just had to stop at the side of the road to appreciate its beauty. 

Just a short distance down the road I stopped in at Pershing State Park for a quick look around.  Bullfrog songs greeted me as I walked about taking pictures of the pond.

The town of Laclede had historic markers posted on the highway so I did a stop at the childhood home of General John J. Pershing. 

Sadly this well preserved cared for old building does not

extend to the rest of the town, which seems lonely and neglected in comparison. 

By now it was time for my late breakfast and wifi stop in Brookfield. After catching up on my correspondence I was back on the road again.  

Turning south on Hwy 11 toward Mendon I passed through lovely scenes of rural life in Missouri.  Farm fields that stretch off into the distance, the odd windmill reminding me of simpler power sources than those we are familiar with now.

And always there are plenty of reminders that the rural life of the past is changing and fading away.

Continuing south on Hwy 11 through Brunswick, I took Hwy 24 south east through Dewitt and then on Hwy 41 toward Miami. 

A short detour with hopes to buy some pecans at a Pecan Farm was met with disappointment as no one was there.  

But I did see this beautiful old barn at the side of the road so the side trip was fruitful after all. 

Passing through some rolling hills on Hwy 41  I approached

Miami where I once again crossed the Missouri River, and stopped at another Lewis and Clark historical marker. 

Continuing south on Hwy 41 I soon arrived at side road 404 to Van Meter State Park and another historic site.  Storm clouds seem to darken the sky and I wonder if they will pass or if I will be seeing a summer rain storm. 

At this park I discovered a lovely hiking trail with a view

to the Missouri River and a history lesson about the Missouri Indians who lived in this fertile valley.   








After finishing my hike I enjoyed a very brief picnic lunch. The mosquitoes were out in droves and their biting ways encouraged me to get back into the relative bug free safety of my car.

Before leaving the park, I stopped for a tour of the museum and enjoyed the displays of historic artifacts of the Missouri tribe that lived in this region.  





For some strange reason I had thought I was leaving the Missouri River behind when I started driving east from St. Joseph.  It was when I looked at a map that I realized that the river changes direction near Kansas City flowing easterly in a serpentine journey toward the Mississippi.

Leaving Van Meter State Park I returned to Hwy 41 south toward Marshal.  There I turned east onto Hwy 41 toward Arrow Rock. 

In Arrow Rock I stopped to see the display in the Arrow Rock State Historic Site Visitor Centre.   Here there were history displays about the Santa Fe Trail, the history of Boone's Lick, the war with Mexico (1846-47), the Louisiana Purchase, and early river travel in "flatboats".  It was a most educational way to spend the afternoon.
From there I went to check out the camp grounds.  They offered lovely tree shaded sites on grassy lawn areas with wifi services.  I decided to set up for a 2 night stay to relax and rest.  

Renate Dundys Marrello 
2015 - 07 - 22

Today was a rest day.  I remained at my quiet campsite and enjoyed some reading, I did some writing and just took some time to unwind and relax. 

Renate Dundys Marrello 
2015 - 07 - 23

Link to see all of the day's pictures

Link to my Facebook Reflections Page



Route map for the day

Cameron to Arrow Rock