It seems so long since the last time we camped.  May was our last camping trip.  It is good to see this nice weather , it is just right for camping.


Two weeks ago we hitched up the pop-up and headed to Lewis and Clark State Park. 
Clark described the lake as being full of Geese and Goslings.  The campground sets adjacent to the 365 acre oxbow lake.  It is a simple campground mostly flat with lots of Cotton Woods and Sycamores.  Watch out for the mosquitos the are extra big, but with some Off you are pretty safe.  It was the darn tiny black bugs that hurt when they bit.  Fortunately they didn't leave a big red bite. We had a very nice camping experience there and it is close enough to Weston and Leavenworth to take some day trips.  We have been to Weston several times but wanted to go back this time to take the self guided tour of the town listing all the houses and the dates they were built. Unfortunately the weekend we were there they were doing construction and it was the Apple Fest weekend also.  A little hard finding streets that were not blocked off due to construction or due to the parking for the Festival.  We took a tour of the McCormick Brewery.  It as a nice tour and took about an hour.  We would recommend it.  It is a walking tour and does go up a lot of steps.  Just take that into consideration.   I think it cost $10.00 a person to take the tour, along with free samples at the end. 
We also traveled to Leavenworth and had lunch at the original Depot.  The inside has been kept the same including the original ticket window.  As you will see in the pictures, Dave's tenderloin was bigger than his plate.  He had to take over half of it home.  I had the Ruben and was told they smoke it right there on sight.  It was very good and good flavor.
If you are not a camper and just want to take a day trip, Weston and Leavenworth are great places to visit.  Don't forget the Carousel musem in Leavenworth.  They are closed on Mondays so check times of operation before going.
We had a great time camping and would go back again.  I hope you enjoy the pictures.  The Catholic Church was my favorite site so I took lots of pictures.  Dave got to talk to a care taker who new lots of history of the church. 

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Here are the pictures.  Enjoy!!!  Happy Camping !!

 

May 25, 2016

Our last Camping Trip took us to Bennett Spring State Park.  Bennett Spring has the Ozarks 4th largest spring.  It also has a fish hatchery and a Natural bridge.

One hundred and three millions of gallons of cold water flow from the spring everyday.  Bennett Spring is one of the four designated Trout Parks in Missouri along with Maramec Spring Park, Montauk State Park, and Roaring River State Park.  All are spring fed.  The hatchery is the parks largest attraction.  The water from the spring eventually ends up about 2 miles to the Niangua River.  Trout season is from March 1 to October 31st.  The park has five camping areas.  It has a dining lodge built in the 1930's.  They have a pool, 5 playgrounds and a couple of pavillions.  If you like to hike they have 12 miles of hiking trails.  If you want to see the natural bridge be prepared to hike 7.5 miles to see it.The natural tunnel is 296feet long and 16feet wide and water does run through it.Check in at the general store in the park for more information.  Bennett Spring is located near Lebanon, Missouri. I really like Bennett Spring State Park and watching the fishermen.I like taking pictures of the fishermen in their waders and working the line back and forth.

 While we were at Bennett Spring we took a short trip to Ha Ha Tonka State Park.  Ha Ha Tonka State Park has Missouri's 12th largest spring.  Fifteen miles of trails and the Famous Castle built by a wealthy businessman over looking the Lake of the Ozarks high upon a 250ft bluff that also overlooks the spring.  The castle burned down and left the shell of the castle.  The walk up to the castle is less than a mile on pavement.I recommend visiting Ha Ha Tonka and making the trip up to the castle and the overlook.  There are benches along the way.  Ha Ha Tonka is located near Camdenton, MO.

We had a great trip and hope you get to make a trip to see these two State Parks.
I hope you enjoy the pictures that follow,

I don't know anything with certainty, but seeing the stars makes me Dream.  Vincent Van Gough

 This is a moth that landed near our pic-nick table the morning we were packing up to leave.  It was bigger than my hand, very beautiful.

Castle

Castle

Dave near the Castle

 I thought this was so cute.  Daddy and daughter fishing.

Church near our travel route.

 Barn along our travel route.

Here is another barn.

Park Store

Castle at Ha Ha Tonka State Park

Castle

Castle

Castle

Castle

Castle

Castle

Castle

Castle

Castle

Castle

Cart used to haul rock up hill to build castle.

Castle

Overlook of Lake of Ozark from bluff.

A nice ending to the day.