Flowering Dogwoods in Missouri

We enjoyed spending some spring time at our acreage near Blue Eye, Missouri. There has been plenty of moisture this year bringing lush green color to the hillsides. The neighbor's cattle were grazing the pasture ground in the warm breezes. The Dogwood (Missouri's state tree) and Redbud trees were in full bloom, which we took advantage of, and marked them with pink tape for future reference. We like to hunt for Morel mushrooms and were surprised to find some fresh ones growing on our hillside. We trimmed some trees and took time to enjoy the view from the ridge. Rain moved in and the moisture in the air created a beautiful sight in the valley. What a relaxing two weeks we spent in this beautiful area of southwest Missouri.

Friends and Camping

Traveling and camping have given us great opportunities to see beautiful places in the USA, Canada, and Mexico. Along the way, we have met many wonderful people. We have shared time with these friends and look forward to meeting them again along the roads we travel. Bill and Lola are park attendants at a Corps of Engineers Park in Missouri. Folks take part in these types of programs as volunteers to help manage and operate the campgrounds, state parks, national parks, and Corps of Engineer Parks. We always enjoy meeting and getting to know the people who greet us at these parks.

Enjoying Branson, MO

Our time in Branson included going to shows that were filled with great music, humor, and some dance. The many theaters have a variety of entertainment that appeals to everyone. Spring abounds everywhere in and around The Branson Landing in old downtown Branson and in the beautiful rolling hills surrounding the city. The Branson Landing has a wonderful waterfront music, water and light show each hour for visitors strolling through the many shops of the unique open street mall. Branson is a fun and exciting music mecca for visitors to enjoy.

Corps of Engineer Parks - MO

The Corps of Engineers have 13 parks with 850 campsites located in the Table Rock Lake area along the 800 miles of shoreline. The flooding that is occurring in southwest Missouri has impacted several of these parks, closing some and bringing the water closer to campground activities. Table Rock Lake is at the highest level in history at just over 933 feet. This shows how vulnerable we are to the impacts of Mother Nature. We enjoy watching the sunset over Long Creek Arm at our campsite on Table Rock Lake.

Rainy Spring in Branson, MO

The evening we arrived in Branson we had 4 plus inches of rain that added to the already wet conditions from rains in March and early April. The system of lakes in southwest Missouri consists of 4 lakes. As these lakes are full and the ground is saturated with rain, the water flows quickly into the lakes filling them and requiring the Corps of Engineers to make decisions on sending water down stream that ultimately impacts residents and businesses. This is the first time that all 10 gates have been opened to release water from Table Rock Lake Dam into the White River and down stream to Lake Taneycomo and Bull Shoals Lake. The decision was made to open the gates to release 47,500 cubic feet of water per second to control the level of Table Rock Lake as water was being released upstream from Beaver Lake. We visited areas where we knew the water had caused flooding. The Branson Landing in old downtown Branson had water in the fire and music show area along the walk way and the lower level of the parking building was filled with water. We drove to our acreage and being on the ridge we are high and dry. All the moisture has brought out beautiful flowers and the redbud trees are blossoming. We will be attending a show at the new RFD TV theater and enjoyed looking at the antique tractors they have on display in the parking lot.