Time spent in the great outdoors hiking, backpacking, camping, fishing, paddling, and shooting. Anything well away from the madding crowd.
Deep Pool on Mores Branch – And deep it was. I had to leave my camera, clothes, and other gear behind because I was up to my waist within a couple of steps. I wanted to get to the end of the pool to see how easy the next section of the creek would be to hike. One-minute read
Mores Branch – Hercules Glades Wilderness – From the map, I could see it was under a mile of bushwhacking to get to Mores Branch. The hollow is steep but there was a point where a ravine ran into the hollow that looked like it would offer a good way down. +2
Waiting for my meeting to start – This is what happens when you decide to take (a well-earned) impromptu comp day off without thoroughly checking your calendar. 2
Camped on ‘Ant Hill’ overlooking ‘Twin Falls Hollow’ – Yup, it looks pretty much the same as everywhere else in the Ozarks. And very much like the last time I was here too. Which may have contributed to my decision not to sit in camp all day after my morning meeting.
Sundown at Hercules Glades, looking southeast – Hiking in today, I realized that I could attend my meeting the next morning if I could get a good cell signal. So off I set in search of a decent signal. Two-minute read, +2
Three days backpacking in Hercules Glades Wilderness, October 2021. Online meetings and bushwhacking in search of Mores Branch. Journal: 5 17
Gary and the Pole Hollow Cairn – Time for the obligatory selfie at the cairn. I prefer this black and white version. +1
Charging the Garmin. We all know what this means. I’m charging it up ready for another backpacking trip.
One-night stay in the Devil’s Backbone Wilderness. And once more I manage to break some gear … Journal: 1 4
Through the veil – It’s taken me a while to see the potential in this picture. I like this alternate treatment of the image.
Journal: four days by the lake, Piney Creek Wilderness, July 2021 — It’s been a while, and now it’s time for my summer trip for R&R by Table Rock Lake at Piney Creek Wilderness. Fortunately, the lake is not flooding (excessively), and the hike in was not quite as fraught — no wading required. Journal: 5 45
Day Four – End of hike selfie – All in all, a brilliant trip, with lots of journaling, swimming and relaxing watching the lake. You can’t beat that. One-minute read
Bath time – After crossing ‘Cat Briar Meadows,’ I was hot, sweaty, and dirty. I stopped here for half an hour, filled up with water, and then had a quick bath in this pool. Let’s just say it was invigorating (flipping chilly).
The trail is starting to get overgrown – All through these (and the following) overgrown sections of trail I talk to the snakes, “Hello snaky, snaky, snakes, just passing through, don’t mind me.” at the same time I’m probing the trail ahead with my hiking poles to make sure any somnolent snakes wake up before I tread on them. +1
This is going to get messy. The lake has dropped six to eight inches, but it’s still covering the trail. +1
The trail here was covered with water when I hiked in. +2
Time to say goodbye to my lakeside haven. Campfire and table – all tidy, ready for the next person.
Lifting mist at Piney Creek – Complete with a heron.
Misty Morning at Piney Creek. It was worth all the heat and bug bites just for the magical few minutes watching the mist evaporate. +2
Mist on Table Rock Lake.
Through the veil – looking across the lake, the mist was lifting.
Day Four – Misty campsite – I’m used to seeing fog and mist on the lake here, but today’s mist was extra thick. So thick that at first I couldn’t see across the lake. +1
Day Three – Feet up, enjoying the Campfire. +1
Late-night visitor – who is this then? 3