Camping Gear, Zero Plans, and Missouri Highways

It's that time of year again, camping season.  We took off for the long holiday weekend, Labor Day, without any reservations and decided to see where the back roads of Missouri would take us.  Normally we wouldn't camp before now, it's way to warm, but the temperatures were going to be in our favor.  The morning started off rainy but a few hours East and the sunshine decided to grace the sky.

As we made our way on Hwy 50, we decided to take a small detour to Hermann to grab a bite to eat at the local park there.  Nothing better than a sandwich, chips and and an ice cold Banquet to satisfy a person.  We needed to stretch our legs anyway and let Lola run around.  Southbound on Hwy 19, we figured we had better decide where we wanted to set up camp for the evening. A quick google search in the Mark Twain National Forest led us to Red Bluff Campground.  We had no idea if any spots would be available but took the chance.  We drove up the park and actually found the perfect location.  It was a smaller campsite but had some amazing views and a crystal clear creek running right across from where we landed.  The BF made a quick run to talk to the camp host and I started setting up camp.

It was time to cool off, which meant a quick change into our bathing suits before heading to Huzzah Creek.  The water was running and the temperature was perfect.  The rocky bottom creek ranged in depths anywhere from 6 inches to maybe a foot, so  it was great for wading and letting Lola cool off.  As we made our way further down the creek, I was trailing behind; flip-flops are a bit of a challenge when wading. Never did I think I would look down into the perfect clear water to see a snake, popping it's head out of the rocks staring at me...you can imagine my reaction. Screaming, jumping, trying to run to shore, and avoiding the snake, all while trying to keep my shoes on without falling down.  Picture that, you are welcome.  It took me a minute to catch my breath before I realized there was one way back to camp, crossing the creek.  I made the other two lead the way, and I followed closely behind.

After getting the fire started, we prepared dinner which consisted of Teriyaki Rice with grilled tomatoes, onions, and avocado.  A night of card games was the perfect way to end the evening before hitting the tent and starting to read Hatchet, a wilderness survival novel by Gary Paulsen.  I definitely recommend it.

The next morning we made a breakfast scramble of eggs, potatoes, and bacon; a few cups of hot tea, and a few hours of enjoying the crisp air before packing up and heading on our way to the next destination, which at this point, was still unknown.  We would take off through Mark Twain National Forest and just drive; which lead us to some unexpected destinations before finding our home for the rest of the weekend.

Happy Camping!

Shona

Follow Me ↠
Travel IG: http://www.instagram.com/dirtroadshighheels
Personal IG: http://www.instagram.com/shonamhouston

Sign up for blog emails here: http://www.thedirtroadshighheels.blogspot.com

Labor Day, The Lake, and The Life of a Pirate

Labor Day Weekend wasn't much different than any other weekend, except we were able to spend four days at Lake Perry with a lot of friends and a few beers...or maybe more than a few beers, but it was a holiday!  The weather was perfect with cool mornings, sunny afternoons, and nights that included live music and a lot of laughter. 

Background; I didn't grow up on the Lake, it just wasn't something that my family did.  Occasionally we would join friends and I did learn how to ski early on and remember getting thrown off of jet ski's, but that's about it.  Still, even though years would go by without me being able to enjoy it, I managed to always love the water...the lake or the ocean for that matter.  This year, I have been pretty fortunate to be able to spend a lot of weekends on the lake.  I have made a lot of new friends, have learned so much about myself and not to mention about boating in general.  Never did I think I would know how to drive a boat let alone park one and I can park one...with certain weather conditions and with a little help from the Captain.

I managed to capture some moments this weekend with my professional camera aka my iPhone.  It's a simple life out there on the lake.  I have learned that I can pack lightly, use a lot of dry shampoo and use carbonated water to brush my teeth if I don't feel like walking up the dock.  Not to mention, sleep on a boat without any problems, other than waking up early, but sometimes the mornings are the best out there. The water is calm, the air is cool, you can hear the sounds of the early morning boaters, the seagulls and ducks are out and about, and you can smell the local bar at the marina preparing food for the day.  Did I mention we ordered a Casey's pizza for breakfast one morning...with a big cup of Coca-Cola Classic...that certainly hit the spot! Besides, I love that we can venture down the dock and creep on our friends...to see if they are ready for breakfast or have coffee talks before venturing up to have Spicy Bloody Mary's with extra bacon or the infamous Rum Runner to start the day.

Maybe I will never be a real Pirate but I like to think I am...a Sailor perhaps.  My heart skips a beat every time I see a sailboat and one day, I will be sailing around on one and maybe even living on the water, you know, like a Pirate would do with my spyglass and endless amounts of rum.

"Wherever we want to go, we go...that's what a ship is, you know." Captain Jack Sparrow

Yo Ho!
Shona