Gary and Ginger stop for a drink and snack on the way back to the Tower trailhead – Piney Creek Wilderness
01 January 2012 | Copyright © 2012 Gary Allman
Little Sac River from 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
Woods Fork at Busiek State Forest and Wildlife Area
The previous night night several squall lines passed through, and a couple of trees were down across the trail. We won’t mention the tree near home which the same storm knocked down, taking out a power pole and leaving us without electricity for over 24 hours.
26 October 2010 | Copyright © 2010 Gary Allman
Busiek State Forest and Wildlife Area, South West Missouri
We had to ford the creek at the end of the hike. The creek bed was stoney again, so I went ahead and got Ginger’s sandals from the van. Of course that meant I crossed the creek four times, while one couple got a horse ride across.
01 November 2009 | Busiek State Forest and Wildlife Area | Copyright © 2009 Gary Allman
Busiek State Forest and Wildlife Area, South West Missouri
Cutting wood with Tom on Saturday I noticed a state park on our way back. I did some investigating and found we had some details in our hiking guides. Sunday afternoon, waiting for the bus with the Youth Group kids (and Katie) to arrive I was chatting to a friend who had visited the Park the previous week.
It took a bit to persuade Ginger to give up a Sunday afternoon nap for a hike, but I succeeded and off we went.
Busiek State Forest and Wildlife Area is 18 miles south of Springfield, so it’s nice and close. Recent rain has washed out the bridges so we had to ford the creek – no problem for me in sandals, but as Ginger had to take her hiking boots off, she had problems in her bare feet.
The best of the fall color is gone and the leaves hid the trail in places the red blazes made it fairly easy to keep on track. There were quite a lot of people on horse back – which was useful to some as one person ferried a couple across the creek.
The hike was a bit long for Lanie, but Ginger and I enjoyed it. we’ll be going back.
01 November 2009 | Busiek State Forest and Wildlife Area | Copyright © 2009 Gary Allman
Busiek State Forest and Wildlife Area, South West Missouri
We should have forded the creek here, where there is a rock creek bed. Instead we opted for a place where the banks weren’t so steep. The stoney creek bed caused Ginger a lot of pain.
Crossing the creek at the end of the hike, I went ahead and got Ginger her sandals from the van.
01 November 2009 | Busiek State Forest and Wildlife Area | Copyright © 2009 Gary Allman |
Busiek State Forest and Wildlife Area, South West Missouri
It is surprising how quickly the trees have shed their leaves. this time last week the trees were full of leaves.
01 November 2009 | Busiek State Forest and Wildlife Area | Copyright © 2009 Gary Allman
