Elephant Rocks State Park

We visited the Elephant Rocks State Park in Belleview, Mo. Imagine giant granite rocks standing end-to-end like a train of circus elephants. That's what you'll see at Elephant Rocks State Park. About 1.5 billion years ago hot magma cooled coarsely crystalline red granite, which later weathered into hug, rounded boulders. Standing atop a granite outcrop, one of the largest elephant rocks, Dumbo, tops the scales at a whopping 680 tons! Visitors view the granite boulders from the one-mile Braille Trail, designed to accommodate people with visual or physical disabilities. The trail passes by a quarry pond, which now supports a variety of animal life. A short spur off of the trail takes visitors to the top of the granite outcrop, where they can explore the maze of giant elephant rocks. The 1890's Engine House used to service trains for Sheahan Quarries private railroad which incorporated as the Middlebrook and Graniteville Railway Company still stands today.


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Elephant Rocks Braille Trail

The Braille Trail at the Elephant Rocks State Park has several trails that can be explored. Eddie found a Blue Tailed lizard when they visited. Also, they found a beautiful lake off the trail. My sister-and brother-in-law took Becky and Eddie sightseeing and they came back and told us about the park. So we went and visited and we saw sights that they didn't see. They found the lake and we found the quarries. If you visit Missouri go and check it out and I'm sure you will see something new too.

Come On Dad Let's Go

I think their were a couple of anxious little boys ready to go to the Lake. We had to stop and air up the StingRay and run into Walmart and get water first. As you can see Mom (Tammy) had a hard time rounding them all up so they could go. You tell them Tammy!! Jimmy gave the high sign and THEN they moved!!

Are We There Yet?

Eddie and Becky promised their kids they would take them to the lake. Eddie stopped and bought some tennis balls and jumped in with them and played with them. Boy did they ever love that!!

Lake of the Ozarks State Park Marina

This was a fun day. This was everyone's day off, so off to the lake we went. The Lake at the Ozarks was a huge lake with lots of small coves. The pontoon boat is a new addition to the family, so we had to go try it out. The weather was still in the 100's so the water felt great. We pulled into a small cove and we all jumped in to take a swim. Even the dogs loved it. Becky and Eddie take their dogs everywhere, even to the lake, and they liked it as well as the rest of us. It was a fun day, eating our lunch on the boat, visiting and cooling off. Thank you for inviting us to go along with you. Jerry doesn't really like the water, but he was a good sport and went with us and was our photographer.

The Purple Junction

My sister took me to a historic town of Kimmswick, Missouri, established in 1859. It is very quaint with many small shops. She particularly wanted me to meet Ed and Sue. They are the owners of the Purple Junction, formerly Mr. Ed's Ozark Wood-Chop. She has been there before and remembered Mr. Ed as he always has something to share and make you laugh or cry. The "The Best Day of My Life", is a poem she remembered the most. So, we looked up Mr. Ed and she told him how much that poem meant to her and how she had shared it with so many people. He shared how much it meant to him for her to stop by and encourage him, because he had felt so many times, what was he even doing there, business was down this year, and health issues, etc. She prayed with him and his wife and he gave her a big hug and told her how much he needed that encouragement and that God had sent her that day to encourage him. Mr. Ed makes roses out of wood shavings and paints them. They come in every color. While I was there I had them make a bouquet for me for my motorhome, to remember these wonderful christian people. They have the smallest shop in town, however, sometime this year 2007 they will be expanding and moving into what is formerly known as the Dough Depot. I also had a custom made placque that was handpainted with scripture. If you are ever in Kimmswick, Missouri, Ed and Sue would love for you to stop by their shop. God Bless You!

All the way from Ohio

Hi Becky and Eddie! It was great seeing you for the first time in several years. The last time I remember seeing you is when you got married. We had a great time seeing and visiting with you and your family (aren't they cute?) Hopefully we will see more of you since we are retired.

Caveman's BBQ Steakhouse

The elevator in the cave was the original elevator that took everyone up into the cave. The wood in the elevator was still in very good shape, the old fashioned push buttons, felt like it was being pulled by a pulley. I wouldn't want to break down in it!!

Caveman's BBQ

We had dinner at the Caveman's BBQ which was on the Gasconade River (not sure of spelling). The owner shuttles the visitors (up this roadway you see) to the this hide away restaurant. It was approximiately 30 years ago. During the summer months the owner shuttled over 3,500 people. One day he made 300 trips up and down the mountain to the cave. We had KC steak and it was the best we have had since we have been in MO. It was my sister and brother in-laws going away dinner for us. A great night out!!

Rafting down the Meremac River

This was ladies day only river rafting down the Meremac River. My sister promised me we would get to spend one afternoon rafting the river. We were ready to go. The river was low that day, however, the water was high enough to push us on through. About half through the trip we jumped in for a swim and had a picnic lunch. It was a great afternoon.

Widows Ministry

The widows ministry is made up of any widow from any church that would like to meet once a month in different towns. Dottie (woman in white hair and white jacket) is 84 years old with lung cancer. She is mentoring my sister and other women to lead the group, as she knows she doesn't have much time left. This was my sister's first meeting as a leader. I thought she did a very good job. Next month, another woman, who is also being mentored will lead the group in a different location. We met a pizza parlor in Cuba, MO this afternoon.

Dillard Mill State Historic Site

We toured Dillard Mill in Dillard, Missouri. The first mill was built in the 1850's, burned in 1895, and rebuilt in 1908. The water from the Huzzah Creek was needed for its operation. For years farmers took their grain to the mill to be ground into flour and eventually live stock feed. It ceased operation in 1956. Today, most of the machinery is still in tact and operational. The Cottrell and the Mischke, were the original owners of the mill and later formed a small community with a post office in 1887. The community was named Dillard after Joseph Dillard Cottrell. They also have graveyards for all the family members on the property that are still being used today.
Thank you Rick for giving us such a great tour and also taking us to Lost Creek. We really enjoyed it!!

Rex McDonald Champion of Champions

The world's champion saddle stallion. Rex McDonald lit up the horse world like the new streetlights lit up Mexico. His career brought significant status to the Missouri Saddle bred, and international recognition to his hometown, now called the "Saddle Horse Capital of the World". In his prime he defeated all the great horses of the day. After his death in 1913, his hide was stuffed and displayed in the lobby of the Ringo Hotel. The hotel burned in 1918, he was rescued by firefighters and taken by Tom Bass to his barn. Here he was given his own special niche to the right of the barn door; countless children stopped by to see and hear tales of his glory days. In the 1930's the hide, somewhat the worse for fire and passage of time, was removed from the barn and buried at the Mexico Fair Grounds. At the opening of each Fair, the audience stood in silent tribute as a wreath was placed on his grave near the inside quarter stretch. Later the fairgrounds was sold, and his remains were moved to Plunkett Park. That property was sold, he was moved across town to the grounds of the American Saddle Horse Museum. There a simple stone marker pays him tribute. More than a century after his birth the legendary black stallion is still remembered as the perfect embodiment of the American Saddle Horse. The Champion of Champion, Audrain County's Rex McDonald.

Union Covered Bridge State Historic Site

This bridge was built in 1871. It is the last surviving covered bridge in Missouri using Burr-arch truss construction. The bridge served travelers on the Paris to Fayette road through Monroe County for 99 years. It is only used today for foot traffic.