Lane Spring Recreation Area is in the Mark Twain National Forest right off Hwy 63 between Rolla and Licking. http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/mtnf/recarea/?recid=21780 I pass it often on the way to and from Licking to see my family there. It's a place I enjoy driving around and sometimes stopping for a stroll. On Saturday, my mom and I took advantage of the sunny spring afternoon. We spent two hours at Lane Spring walking, talking, and clicking photos. We even got industrious and climbed (it's UPHILL) to Blossom Rock. It was totally worth it. I doubt these images do justice to the beauty that is Missouri in Spring, but I hope you enjoy them. Until next time, M of MK Designs PS Visit Lane Spring. You'll love it!
Blossom Rock
“I see you in the light of the water, in the swaying of the young trees in the spring wind. I see you in the shadows of the great oaks, I hear your voice in the cry of the owl at night." ― Juliet Marillier, Daughter of the Forest
"To see a hillside white with dogwood bloom is to know a particular ecstasy of beauty." - Hal Borland
Often it's in a hurried rush to get to the beach or a hurried rush to get home from the beach. This summer, instead of our usual beach trip, my family headed to Reelfoot Lake, TN for a little fishing and Union City, TN to an awesome Discovery Park (http://www.discoveryparkofamerica.com).
When I realized I could easily head north to Kentucky and take the Dorena-Hickman Ferry across the Mississippi River on the way home and fit in a few hours at Big Oak Tree, I was beyond excited. I am always trying to find new experiences for my daughter and I to share. I have to admit the ferry ride kinda pushed my "fear factor" limits, but she loved it. When my feet were on solid ground in Missouri, that's when my appreciation for the ferry finally kicked in.
It was a little humid (go figure!) for June in Missouri, but Karlene and I really enjoyed the trail we did at Big Oak Tree. It was elevated above a swampy area, so we caught a lot of glimpses of wildlife, plants, and (of course!) HUGE trees.
My daughter told me several times that she bet those trees could really tell a story. I have to agree.
They simply tower above you. Beyond their size and age, it's a true moment that makes one realize that we humans are only here but a moment and then gone. I had a similar feeling when exploring the redwoods in Northern California.
When we were there in June, Big Oak Tree was GREEN and so full of life. I can only imagine the other seasons at this park. It's something I hope to experience soon. Can you imagine these trees covered in ice or fall color? I can! I bet this snake can, too... maybe?
Overall, taking the "long way home" can be so fun. Sure, the way back from Reelfoot, TN to our home is about 5 1/2 hours. On this June day, we turned it into about DOUBLE that time. A roadtrip, a ferry ride, a beautiful state park, Mexican for a late lunch on the way home...that's a pretty good way to break up a drive and learn more about your country, your place in the world, and much much more!
I encourage you to take the long way home sometime, and if you can - go see Big Oak Tree State Park. Until next time, M of MK Designs
I remember the "good old days" where we were lucky to have two (sometimes three or four depending on the weather!) TV channels for entertainment.
In some ways, I think that made my childhood more blessed than today's children. I had two choices.
#1. Watch what was on and learn to like it.
#2. Go outside and/or play in my room.
One show that always caught my attention was Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom with Marlin Perkins. That show was my window to the world before there was such a thing as the world wide web. The minute that opening came on, my attention was captured.
The cool thing (I thought!) was Marlin was a Missouri boy. He was from my home state. Watching him, I knew anything was possible. I could go anywhere and be anyone I wanted to be.
Marlin Perkins
Marlin instilled a love for animals, a desire to travel, and the belief all things were possible within me. I was not alone. He impacted many people, including Walter Crawford.
Walter Crawford
Walter's specialty was birds, and thanks to Walter's love of birds with some serious support from Marlin, the World Bird Sanctuary took shape. This gem is close enough to where I live that they often do presentations for children of all ages.
World Bird Sanctuary presentation at Robertsville State Park- June 2014.
In June, Robertsville State Park was hosting a Birds of Prey presentation by the World Bird Sanctuary and I was excited about attending. My friend Tyann and her son met my daughter and I. We were in for a real treat!
We learned so much about the birds and what the World Bird Sanctuary does, that I really want to go visit it this fall. It was an amazing presentation. What they do to assist birds and educate the public is astounding. They for sure are an organization that restores my faith in humanity.
On a sad note, I was shocked that about one month after Tyann, myself, and the kids enjoyed the presentation I heard Walter Crawford died from complications after surgery.
Walter, thanks to support and assistance from Marlin, built a legacy that will carry on in his name. The World Bird Sanctuary is a true testiment to the values that I personally learned from watching Marlin Perkins as a child...the same values that Walter Crawford encorporated into his life's work at the World Bird Sanctuary.
Thank you, Walter and Marlin, for all you have done.
I'll admit it, when I told people I was heading to "Clearwater" over Memorial Day weekend the majority seemed to assume I meant "Clearwater, Florida."
Once I explained it was a lake in Southern Missouri that has been on my to-see list for quite some time, some of my friends started to use Google Maps to see just what I was talking about.
Clearwater Lake is managed by the Army Corps of Engineers and is often called one of Missouri's best fishing lakes. It also has several recreational areas you can access, as well as an AMAZING paved walking trail system. You can learn more about those areas here: http://corpslakes.usace.army.mil/visitors/projects.cfm?Id=M403420
My parents, my daughter, and I all lucked out and managed to not only safely make it to and from this beautiful Southern Missouri gem, but we landed a cabin at http://www.clearwaterlakeresort.com when someone canceled their reservation for Memorial Day weekend.
That is not easy on a major holiday weekend. The fish we caught may not have been big, but my daughter enjoyed herself. For the first time she REALLY got into fishing. She kept reeling them in.
I enjoyed the scenery and loved how uncluttered this lake is. Growing up near Lake of the Ozarks, I have seen what happens when people overcrowd and overbuild on a lake. Clearwater doesn't seem to have this problem, and I hope it stays this way.
When we weren't fishing, or hanging out near the cabin... I enjoyed walking and driving around the area with my camera. (Did you see that coming?) The beauty of the lake and the Black River was breathtaking.
I hope you enjoy these images from Clearwater Lake and perhaps the next time you want a little "vacation" you'll consider this place instead of the crowds, tourists, homes, and stripmalls that seem to clutter so many lakes around Missouri.
If you are interested in ordering any images you see here, contact me via the MK Designs Facebook Page and/or the contact part of my website: http://mkdesignsphoto.weebly.com Thanks for your support!
This past fall (2014), I did a bit of a "road trip" around Illinois. I had a 3 day weekend from school...and Karlene was with her father...so it just made sense to do a crazy jam-packed Illinois Road Trip!
My daughter clicking pics of Christie at her wedding in 2012.
I had a mission to go see one of my favorite (yes, I have a few faves! lol) former students who is now an anchor in Rockford, Illinois... and her adoreable new baby Jack.
Me and Christie in 2014 at a Frank Lloyd Wright chapel in Rockford.
Jack. I could have snuggled with this sweetie all day! As an only child, I don't have nieces and nephews to spoil...
I also planned to do a family photo shoot for Annette in the Grafton area and see a cool old school house (I plan to do a whole entry about that amazing piece of history later). The family photos came out awesome, by the way. Annette, her husband, and her son were all fun to work with.
This kid was a a hoot! I hope Annette lets me take photos of him (and their family) again one day. He cracked me up.
However, there was a moment that I plotted out for the trip that blew away all expectations of what I viewed as a "typical" northern Illinois landscape.
As a AAA member, I had read about Starved Rock State Park and thought it'd be nice to squeeze in a couple of hours there the night before I met Christie in Rockford. A couple of hours were not nearly enough.
Starved Rock State Park is full of canyons and waterfalls. It is breathtaking.
It is my MISSION to go back to this special place and spend a few days exploring with my daughter this summer.
Critters were ALL over at Starved Rock State Park. Very photogenic, too!
My images I captured as the light was fading do not even come close to doing Starved Rock State Park justice. Beyond the images I post here, I recommend you visit this website: http://www.starvedrockstatepark.org
I stayed for the sunset and was not "let down" in any way!
Also, if you're looking for a clean and affordable camping option, I stayed one night in the camper kabin at the KOA near there. Just loved it! http://koa.com/campgrounds/lasalle/
Starved Rock State Park and I will meet again! I am hoping Summer 2015 will be the time we make it happen!
As always, thank you for supporting my photography/art. Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog. And, if there's any photographs you need to decorate your home, office, etc. OR if you need portraits done, contact me. I love photo sessions, as well as nature work! ~ Michelle of MK Designs Posted April 2015
