trying to make sense of my world through pictures

Around Missouri

Woods Fork – Busiek State Forest and Wildlife Area

Woods Fork - Busiek State Forest and Wildlife Area

Woods Fork - Busiek State Forest and Wildlife Area

A 6.6 mile hike with 800′ of elevation climbed on Busiek’s White and Orange trails.

06 January 2012 | Copyright © 2012 Gary Allman


Sunset at Bucksaw, Harry S Truman Lake, Missouri

Sunset at Bucksaw, Harry S Truman Lake, Missouri by Gary Allman

I went on a walk around the closed off areas of the campsite, and ended up walking back along the lakeside. When I got back to our campsite Ginger fancied a walk, so we re-traced part of my walk, which was very fortuitous as we were able to see this fantastic sunset over the lake. Note the very cool Crepuscular Rays.

The wind blew hard and unpredictably most of the evening, making sitting round the campfire hazardous at times, but the sparks made up for the absence of fireworks.

Sitting round the campfire on Guy Fawkes night

Sitting round the campfire on Guy Fawkes night

Bucksaw campsite in the moonlight

Bucksaw campsite in the moonlight

05 November 2011 | Copyright © 2011 Gary Allman


Dead tree, Bucksaw, Harry S Truman Lake, Missouri

Dead tree, Bucksaw, Harry S Truman Lake, Missouri by Gary Allman

We took the Kayaks out on Harry S Truman lake today, but it was too windy to go far. We saw a flock, or whatever the collective noun is, of white pelicans. After being driven off the the lake by the wind I went on a walk around the closed off areas of the campsite, and ended up walking back along the lakeside where I saw this dead tree.
 
White Pelicans on Harry S Truman Lake at Bucksaw

White Pelicans on Harry S Truman Lake at Bucksaw

Camping at Bucksaw Campground, Harry S Truman Lake, Missouri

Camping at Bucksaw Campground, Harry S Truman Lake, Missouri


05 November 2011 | Copyright © 2011 Gary Allman


Little Sac River, near Willard, Missouri

We bushwhacked our way along the riverside in the brush on the left.

Little Sac River, near Willard, Missouri

Little Sac River, near Willard, Missouri

18 April 2011 | Copyright © 2011 Gary Allman


Bluffs on the Meramec River, Meramec State Park, Missouri

Bluffs on the Meramec River, Missouri by Gary Allman

We spent the last couple of days of our Spring break holiday camping in an almost deserted Meramec State Park. Just after we had arrived I noticed the light on the bluffs, and dashed over to grab a couple of quick pictures as the sun went down.

This picture is another fine example of the ‘painterly’ images my little Fuji compact camera can produce.

24 March 2011 | Copyright © 2011 Gary Allman


Sundown at Little Brazil Creek, Missouri

Sundown at Little Brazil Creek Missouri by Gary Allman

After a day’s hiking we camped near Little Brazil Creek. While we ate our dinner by the creek we watched the sun go down.

21 March 2011 | Copyright © 2011 Gary Allman


Ozarks’ skies

Ozarks' skies by Gary Allman

Sycamore Tree – Plantanus occidentalis on the the white trail, Busiek State Forest and Wildlife Area, South West Missouri 

01 March 2011 | Busiek State Forest and Wildlife Area | Copyright © 2011 Gary Allman


Little Sac River from the Sac River Trail

Little Sac River from the Sac River Trail by Gary Allman

Snow on the Sac River Trail This afternoon we decided to enjoy the sunshine, brave the snow cover and go for a short hike on the Sac River Trail. The hike was fine, proving our gear is up to a winter hike, getting to the trail and away again was not so good. 

On our way to the trail I nearly ‘T Boned’ a pick-up and trailer as it sailed through a stop sign without stopping; the driver was too busy chatting on his cell ‘phone to notice the stop sign. A couple of hours later at the parking lot for the trail I made the mistake of trying to turnaround to get out and got us well and truly stuck in the snow. I had to resort to digging down through the snow and ice to the ground using my pocket knife. Note to self: Snow shovels aren’t worth a damn for digging out a stuck van.

05 February 2011 | Copyright © 2011 Gary Allman


Lighting test

Ginger Allman

We were at the 2011 Bishop’s Ball where I was expecting to be taking pictures of small groups after the awards ceremony, so I practised setting up the flash and reflector. While playing with the set-up I got this very nice picture of Ginger. I love the way she’s looking away from the person walking through the doorway behind her. 

It turned out all my preparation was in vain as I ended up taking pictures on stage during the ceremony.

29 January 2011 | Diocese of West Missouri Youths’ 2011 Bishop’s Ball | Copyright © 2011 Gary Allman


View from the duck blind at Valley Water Mill Pond

Valley Water Mill Pond by Gary Allman

Gary in the duck blind at Valley Water Mill Pond

Gary in the duck blind at Valley Water Mill Pond

Having spent all morning languishing in bed with my laptop some activity was called for. Not wanting anything too strenuous we decided to check out a small nature center just North East of Springfield.

At one end of the pond we found a duck blind with this magnificent view. So much for my saying I was going to try and cut down on the landscape lakes and rivers pictures.


02 January 2011 | Watershed Center | Copyright © 2011 Gary Allman


Our MSR Mutha Hubba backpacking tent at Berry Bend Campground

 

Our Mutha Hubba tent on it’s first outing at Berry Bend campground on Harry S. Truman Lake.

We spent a long time researching and looking at tents. Each time we thought we’d found the one we wanted we saw another we liked even more. A three season tent was essential for spring and fall camping, some useable vestibule space that would double as a wind break for cooking was also high on our wish list. It had to be big, or even a three person tent so that we can keep our packs inside if the weather is really foul. And it needed to be as light as possible for backpacking, this tent is working out great for us.

We’ve written a short review of the MSR Mutha Hubba tent here

21 November 2010 | Copyright © 2010 Gary Allman


Gary and Ginger Sitting by the camp fire in the moonlight

 

Gary and Ginger sitting by the camp fire in the moonlight by Gary Allman

This weekend we’ve been trying out our backpacking gear, but without the actual backpacking. The nearest we got to hiking with our gear was to lug our packs 20-30′ from the car to our campsite.

We decided to cheat on preparing the fire. Not wanting to spend a lot of time and energy gathering and cutting wood, we bought some logs for $4 and I split them with an 8lb non backpacking axe. However, we did successfully light the fire backpacking style using cotton wool pads coated with Vaseline.

20 November 2010 | Copyright © 2010 Gary Allman


Gary and Ginger: wildlife and lake watching

Gary and Ginger: wildlife and lake watching by Gary Allman

I’ve been posting far too many landscapes, lake and tree pictures over the past few months. In an effort to mix things up a bit I thought I’d include a couple of pictures of us enjoying the scenery.

Friday evening we took Alek, Katie and a couple of kids from youth group to Kansas City for a Church event. We needed to be on hand to collect them again Sunday afternoon, so we left Lanie in the capable hands of Ginger’s cousin Betsy, put Getzger in charge at home and once we’d dropped the big kids off we turned around and went back to go camping at Berry Bend on Harry S. Truman Lake.

We didn’t bother taking the kayaks; we had a very nice quiet day sitting watching the lake and wildlife instead. It gave us a change to try out our Trekker chairs. I was dubious about sitting so low to the ground, but they proved very comfortable. The great thing about the chairs is that they use our existing Therm-A-Rest mattresses for the seat and seat back so there’s very little extra to carry. Which brings me to a problem. My Nikon weighs in at 2lbs. I need something lighter for backpacking, or I’m going to have to compromise somewhere else. We’ll see.

While sitting here we saw loads of different woodpeckers, hawks, and other birds including a bald eagle. We also watched the squirrels and chipmunks rushing around. Over the course of the weekend we also saw a deer, possum, coyote, and evidence of a beaver.

I never did get a chance to read the book I brought along, and I don’t think Ginger got much knitting done either.

20 November 2010 | Copyright © 2010 Gary Allman


Berry Bend, Harry S. Truman lake, Missouri

Harry S. Truman Lake, Missouri by Gary Allman

On our second day we went on a 6.5 mile Kayaking trip, going up one side of Berry Bend and back along the other shore. There were loads of submerged trees. I’ve not really found the best way to capture them yet.

09 October 2010 | Copyright © 2010 Gary Allman


Berry Bend, Harry S. Truman Lake, Missouri

 

Berry Bend, Harry S. Truman Lake, Missouri by Gary Allman

This lake is relatively new, filling started in 1974, so there are still a lot of semi-submerged trees about. The great thing about using the kayaks is that we don’t have any worries about getting in among the trees, which means I can fish where other boats can’t go. It also means we can explore all the little coves, and get right in under the bluffs.

08 October 2010 | Copyright © 2010 Gary Allman


Kayaking and fishing on Stockton Lake

Kayaking and fishing on Stockton Lake by Gary Allman

We decided to make the most of the nice weather and packed the van the previous night, got up extra early and loaded the Kayaks on the van before the school run. We were on the lake by 9.30am.

We took it quite easy, and I spent a fair time fishing – catching three fish. There was hardly anyone on the lake. We stopped here for lunch and to have a swim. It may not look like it but the lake drops to over fifty feet deep very quickly at this point. Very quickly being about ten feet from the shore.

I’m looking forward to changing the color of my paddles to something a little darker.

Note: I sprayed them camo green a week or so later. Here’s the result and some notes on the modifications and additions I’ve made to my Ascend FS10 kayak.

20 September 2010 | Copyright © 2010 Gary Allman


Stockton Lake Missouri

 

Day out on Stockton Lake, Missouri By Gary Allman

After paddling for 3 miles, and fishing for a while (yes I managed to catch a fish), we stopped to have lunch and explored a nearby bluff. The view was superb, but the area has been ruined by messy locals leaving loads of trash behind while using the place for partying.

This bluff is across an inlet from High Point access.

18 August 2010 | Copyright © 2010 Gary Allman


Mist at the Pines Overlook Campsite

 

There wasn’t a thick fog during our second night’s stay, but the mist stayed in the valleys for a long time in the morning.

Just enough time for some pictures and to enjoy the daybreak before packing up camp and setting off to pick up the girls.

07 August 2010 | Copyright © 2010 Gary Allman


Red Bluff on Huzzah Creek, Davisville, Missouri

Red Bluff on Huzzah Creek, Davisville, Missouri by Gary Allman

With my old school friend now headed back to the UK (via Boston), we had a few days leisure time before we had to collect the girls at St Louis and then get ready to start back on the school routine. We decided to take a couple of days on the trip and spend some more time at the Pines Overlook campsite. It also gave me yet another opportunity to try and get a decent picture of Red Bluff.

Once more the lighting is challenging, and I’m still not 100% happy with the results. I do like the person at the bottom of the frame – he really serves to give an idea of the scale of the bluff, though I had to rush the shot to catch him in the sunlight.

05 August 2010 | Copyright © 2010 Gary Allman


Kayaks and bluff on the Big Piney River

 

30 July 2010 | Copyright © 2010 Gary Allman

Pines Overlook Campsite at night

 

Pines Overlook Campsite at night by Gary Allman

Our campsite by hurricane lamp and moonlight.

22 July 2010 | Copyright © 2010 Gary Allman | Red Bluff Campground, Davisville, Missouri


Huzzah Creek and Red Bluff, Red Bluff Campground, Missouri

 

Huzzah Creek and Red Bluff, Red Bluff Campground, Missouri by Gary Allman

A friend from the UK has been visiting with us, and we’ve been taking him camping as part of his introduction to the Ozarks.

Red Bluff is one of our current favorite camping destinations. However, getting a decent picture of the bluff is proving a bit difficult. The red coloring on the bluff is actually a stain from the red topsoil. In places where there’s no soil the bluff is white. At around 150′-200′ the bluff is quite impressive.

22 July 2010 | Copyright © 2010 Gary Allman | Davisville, Missouri


Mark Twain National Forest – Table Rock Lake, Missouri

Table Rock Lake, Missouri by Gary Allman

With the heat index predicted to be in the 105°-110°F range, we thought the best place to be would be in a lake, so we decided to revisit the Big Bay Campground on Table Rock Lake. Once there, the only thing to do was alternate between laying in the lake and sitting in the shade.

I had to get quite wet in order to get the shot. It wasn’t a hardship though, the lake was as warm as bath water.

14 July 2010 | Table Rock Lake, Missouri | Copyright © 2010 Gary Allman


Tail light cluster of the 1963 Chrysler Gas Turbine car

Tail lights or rocket boosters? By Gary Allman

The rear end of the Chrysler Gas Turbine car the the Museum of Transportation, St Louis, Missouri.

For the curious those are lights. Apparently the exhaust has a wide thin rectangular section to spread out the exiting hot gases and thus prevent toasting any following vehicles when driving in traffic.

24 July 2010 | Copyright © 2010 Gary Allman | Museum of Transportation, St Louis | Chrysler Gas Turbine car | Mick’s Visit


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