Rain Dance

I hope this type of rain dance will work. I measured an 1/4" of rain this last week. My yard is brown and crunchy, but the toe jerks are growing rapidly.

This picture was taken on a country road down by Montauk.

Visit to Alley Springs

Yesterday my Cousin Shelby and my friends Tyler and Carter visited Alley Springs near Eminence, Mo. We had a wonderful time visiting the spring and at Twin Pine CEC near Winona, Mo.

The area was named after a prominent local family named Alley that lived in the area. The first mill was built in 1868. The mill that is still standing today was built 1893-1894,by George Washington McCaskill, as a merchant mill.

Also at Alley Springs is the old Story Schoolhouse. The school was built in 1903 and had an enrollment of 42 students.

The spring spills 81 million gallons a water a day into the Current/Jacks Fork River.

Here the kids are discussing and looking at the water.

Tyler and Carter are getting ready to go thru an hole.

Here is Carter posing for me.

Visit to Twin Pine Conservation Education Center

Today, my cousin Shelby and my friends Tyler and Carter went with me to Wionna, Mo where Twin Pine CEC is located. It was built in 2008 and the Conservation Department runs the center. The center is very nice. There are 3 levels in the building. On display were animal skins(elk,bison,fox,mountain lion) to mention a few. Stuffed animals were (mountain lion,beaver,otter,deer,black bear) to mention a few. Also on view were snakes and they were alive (copperhead,Pygmy rattlesnake,diamondback rattlesnake). Stuffed owls and a hornets nest were also in the building. The 3rd level of the center can be used for meetings. There was free handout literature as well as books to buy. Outside the center they have planted native wildflowers,trees and shrubs. The Vann schoolhouse (1 room) was moved to the grounds beside the center. The school was used from 1911-1956. The school was located 4 miles from Wionna.

Here are Shelby, Tyler and Carter inside the school

There was and 1840 furnished log cabin on the grounds.

Beside the log cabin was a 1925 Ford Model TT truck. It was used to haul logs and wood. The Model TT is from the Wionna area.

While we were there the boys got to fish in a 2 acre lake. The poles and bait were supplied by the Conservation Department.

Unfortunately nothing was caught.

An 1946 Chevy panel van used by the Conservation Department was on display.

Lastley a few pics of the stuffed animals inside.

We all had a great time.

Missouri's Wild Clematis

Went out wildflower hunting with my Mom and Aunt yesterday. We had a great time. We visited old places we hadn't been to in years. One spot was by the Roubidoux River. There I noticed 2 wild clematis' that I had never seen. I will show pictures of 3 different varieties. I believe there are 6 different varieties.

This is Pale Leatherwood.

This is Pitcher's LeatherwoodThis is Virginia Bower Clematis