Tag Archives: Fall color

Any Day in the Ozarks

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We made a quick stop at one of our favorite barns on Hwy 23 just south of Turner Bend Store. Then, it was on to Turner Bend, one of the vendors who will be carrying my trail guide.

Hiker-dog and I were on a mission to find a driving route that would put a videographer close to a scenic area without a long hike. The morning was cool and clear, perfect for driving rough roads, but I was finding it hard to get down Hwy 215 because of the beautiful reflections on the still water of the Mulberry River.

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The light caught my eye and demanded that I take a few photos and slide around on some slick river rock. The water was low enough that we walked upstream on the partially dry riverbed. Hiker-dog had the advantage and never missed a step.

While walking the rocky bottom of Mulberry River, I felt like I was visiting a forbidden land, remembering the power of rushing water I’ve seen in this valley during wetter seasons.

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After some bumpy driving and walking, we finally entered our targeted destination by an alternate route. I made note that this access route would also be useful for trail maintainers needing to work the area.

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The Marinoni Scenic Area is beautiful in all seasons, but I’d never seen Briar Creek so quiet. There were random pockets of water but none moving. The early morning sunshine had not found its way into the valley so we had a cool walk along the quiet trail as leaves fell around us.

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Hiker-dog paused a moment at the base of one of my favorite bluffs. 

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If your ego is getting enlarged, sitting at the base of an Ozarks bluff is a great way to remind yourself of the insignificance of daily problems and annoyances. It’s also a good place to pick up a tick as I discovered a few minutes later. It’s always nice when you find a tick from its crawling rather than its itching.

There was nothing particularly astounding about this morning spent walking a dry riverbed and the woods to the north, but I left in a much better state. Any day in the Ozarks is a good day, ticks and all! “Hey, come over here Hiker-dog. We need to check your underside.”

Fall in the Marinoni

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View from the trail.

View from the trail down into the Briar Creek drainage.

Fall colors, sunny skies, and high temperatures in the 60s.  It doesn’t get much better than this!   The Marinoni Scenic Area is beautiful in fall.

An unassuming beginning point for the beauty to be found down this trail.

An unassuming beginning considering the beauty to be found on this trail.

The Dawna Robinson Spur Trail leads to the Ozark Highlands Trail and then east into the Marinoni.

View into the Indian Creek drainage.

View into the Indian Creek drainage as you climb switch-backs up toward the OHT.

Hiker-dog enjoying walking with new friends.

Hiker-dog enjoying walking with new friends.

I never tire of walking alongside the bluffs of the Marinoni.

I never tire of walking alongside the bluffs of the Marinoni.

Hiking with Hiker-dog up the Dawna Robinson Spur Trail.

Hiking with Hiker-dog up the Dawna Robinson Spur Trail.

Hiker says, "Wear orange and don't act like a deer."

Hiker says, “Wear orange and don’t act like a deer.”

I learned something new about Hiker-dog on this day.  She stayed close to me and on the trail when deer hunters were firing in the area.  She had her hunter orange on and didn’t go prancing through the woods.  Smart dog!

If you need more information and driving directions to this trail, check Making Time for Marinoni.

Leaf Lenses

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Sunlight slicing through ten thousand leaf lenses
Splatters vivid colors across the browns and grays of earth, stone, and bark.

A tender maple leaf whispers, “Enter this cathedral we’ve prepared for you.

Sit in silence.

Touch and breathe.

Rise and walk this new creation.” IMG_0729r IMG_0699rr

Even Hiker seemed to appreciate the beauty this morning during our pause on the trail.

Even Hiker seemed to appreciate the beauty during our pause on the trail…or, maybe she saw a squirrel.

Thanksgiving

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McWater Falls

McWater Falls

Fall temperatures and long steady rain.  The perfect recipe for hiking and waterfalls. With only one hour available Sunday afternoon, I threw the tripod over my shoulder and headed out to McWater Falls on the Lake Alma Trail. A quick four or five shots and it was back to the trail head.

Walking the trail, I felt a sense of thankfulness for the movement of my legs, the air in my lungs, and the pumping of my heart.

Let the season of Thanksgiving begin.

Early fall color.

Early fall color.

Drainage below McWater Falls.

Drainage below McWater Falls.

Drainage below McWater Falls.

McWater Falls at sundown.

McWater Falls at sundown.

Changing Seasons Along the Trails

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Lake Alma Trail at sunset.

Lake Alma Trail at sunset.

I love the changes in season.  New colors always seem to surprise.

Fall leaves along the trail

Fall leaves along the Lake Alma Trail.

Season change often brings beauty right under your feet if you’re noticing.

Old roadbed on the Ozark Highlands Trail.

Old roadbed on the Ozark Highlands Trail.

What might be an ordinary roadbed that follows the path of the trail glitters with color.

Sweet gum leaf at a wet crossing on the Ozark Highlands Trail

Sweet gum leaf at a wet crossing on the Ozark Highlands Trail

Little scenes of beauty surround you and are easily overlooked.  Following the crossing of this little creek in the Hurricane Creek Wilderness Area, I was captured by the beauty of the path I’d just traveled.

Hurricane Creek

Hurricane Creek

Progress down the trail was slow because my camera kept calling to me to please stop.

Hurricane Creek

Hurricane Creek

Hurricane Creek

Hurricane Creek

Lake Alma Trail

Lake Alma Trail

Back home again.  We’ll end where we began with the evening sun lighting up the 3.8 mile trail at Lake Alma.