Ha Ha Tonka State Park (1)

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I made my first visit to Ha Ha Tonka State Park last week – on my way to and from the Missouri Department of Conservation Partners Roundtable. Today I am posting about my short Spring Trail hike on my way to Jefferson City.

I stopped at the visitor center first…noting the milkweed seed spilling out of a pod in the native plant garden there…and picking up a printed map.

The day was getting warm, so I opted to take the easy Spring Trail. It was a paved or boardwalk for most of the way…with one narrow passage through some rocks!

I appreciated the vistas along the way….water reflecting rock and vegetation.

There were fall wildflowers and seeds

And leaves beginning to fall.

There was an island where the old mill had been. I didn’t hike it…but did note the millstone.

I enjoyed the walk….and made my plan to stop again on my way home….and probably plan a trip with my husband/daughter when I would do more extensive hiking.

Garrison Springs Community Forest

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There were still some leaves on the trees when we visited Garrison Springs Community Forest in Ozark, Missouri last month. It is a newly opened natural area snuggled into the developed area of Ozark. The vegetation makes it feel much further out; the ‘noise’ of the place is only the gurgle of water from 3 springs and the sounds of birds singing and leaves moving in the breeze.

Our area had gotten very little rain the past few months, but the springs still were flowing, and robins were bathing along with the newly fallen leaves.

A daddy long legs (harvestman) crossed our path as we headed back to the car. We stopped to get a picture.

This place is small but not that far from where we live…a place to visit again for a quick nature fix…and to see the improvements as they happen in the next few years.