June 6, 2013

Traveled to Linn Creek, MO, and the Ozarks
Camped at the Missouri Trap Association (yup, they have RV hook-ups)

Time to pack up and move on.  I will miss watching the river and killdeer so closely.  With everyone working hard to clean up, put up or secure items, close vents, cabinets, and other doors (we have to be sure nothing is in the path of the rig's 'slides' or 'pop outs'...an open door will get ripped off it's hinges if it's in the way), unhook our electric, water and sewer, dump the tanks, sweep off the top of the slides, pack snacks for the car and hook up the rig, we pull out of the campground at...noon.  Oh well, we'll get better with practice.

We decide to take state highways instead of the interstate, hoping to see more Americana.  And we did.  What we didn't see was frequent rest stops and gas stations, at least not ones that could accommodate a 42' trailer and 20' truck.  We stopped at a "no facilities' rest area, then went into the rig and made sandwiches.  Kind of nice having your home right behind you.

While the kids stay entertained with their electronic devices, I enjoy watching the landscape change.  The lay of land, foliage and wildflowers, and the animals.  We are used to seeing hawks, even in our urban neighborhood.  But this was a rare treat...a bald eagle.  Of course by the time we realized what it was, I couldn't get the camera ready in time to catch him.  He was being chased by smaller birds, and diving at something on the side of the road. Poor prey, but eagles need to eat, too.  Still cool.  Further along the looong Arkansas state road, we got treated to the aromatic pleasure of a hog farm.  It was discussed for several minutes.

So when it was my turn to drive again, lucky me gets to go on a narrow, shoulderless, two-lane country road, with lots of hills and bridges.  While going slowly, I quickly form a parade behind me, but there's no where to pull off for miles.  Finally a small church parking lot rescued me.  G offered to take over, and though I had gained confidence from successfully making it several miles, I was tired of white-knuckling it.  G was even a little freaked by the narrow bridges with NO side rails.

Alex was much amused with road names in Missouri.

We finally arrived at the Missouri Trap Shooters club.  My cousin Doug Hubbart is a member and got us a fine spot to park our home.  Nestled in the Ozarks, it was a beautiful remote area full of wildlife, and an occasional pop of a shotgun.  And there were killdeer, so I was happy. 

The sun sets over the (shooting) range.

Doug is a gunsmith and has a large shop where he builds guns and makes ammunition.  The kids got a lesson in shotgun shell packing.  Now how many Buckhead kids know how to do that?

Packing ammo.

Loading shells in cases.

 

 

 

 

The fearless watchdog.

 

Then came time for the shooting lesson.  Since Doug lives in a remote area, we just set up a little range in his backyard.  His number one rule?  "Don't shoot my house!"   We all took turns and learned how to load and safely shoot a .22 rifle.  And we all did pretty good, but I have to brag that I got the best shot of the day.  Yup, now everyone knows they better not mess with momma.

The target is on that bale of straw, just below the house.  Of course there were farm animals in every other direction, so this was the safest choice.

That's mine, touching the X. 

Unfortunately, Anna still has a cough.  So we go to the local urgent care.  She has noisy lungs, but no fever or other symptoms (except fatigue).  She gets a Z-pac and orders to rest. Humm. 

With Anna down and Gordon working, Alex and I visit a local attraction, The Bridal Cave and Thunder Mountain.  The cave was really incredible and unusual.  My iphone photos cannot do it justice.  The really amazing thing is thinking about the first explorers who had only candles to light their way.  Wow.  After the cave, we took a little hike.  Alex found a cool rock, which I made him leave, but took a photo.  When we got back to the car, we both found we had taken something with us - ticks!  And lots of them.  We had a little tick-picking frenzy in the parking lot, really wishing we could strip down completely.  Yuck!  In spit of our quick action, we find more on us later that day.  Note to self, carry bug repellant. 

A wall of "cave bacon".

 

A ceiling of "straws" or baby stalactites.  

 

The light at the end of the tunnel, or cave.

 

Me and Alex on "tick" mountain.

 

On our last evening, we have dinner at Doug's place.  He makes a lovely salmon.  We eat, drink, play guitars, sing and pet the dogs (he has 3 goofy big ones).  Time to move again in the morning.

P.S. I'm having trouble uploading photos of the cool rock and salmon.  will try to add later.