Friday, November 29
Today is the day after Thanksgiving. It's a beautiful, sunny and somewhat warm day. What better way to spend it than by hiking? We went to Busiek State Forest...
This is a nice park, with many trails to walk...
And walk we did.
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| this is puppy heaven... |
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| Look what I found... |
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| Pretty shallow... |
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| too shallow to swim, but perfect for getting a drink... |
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| pretty berries |
Sunday, December 1
For us, December is a month of waiting and preparation ~ waiting and preparing for the birth of Christ. We have also been preparing for winter storm Cleon as well as preparing for our departure from here to Texas at the end of this month...
Tuesday, December 2
Today and tomorrow are our last nice days for awhile. We expect winter storm Cleon to arrive on Thursday. We awoke to fog and warm temps today. Highs will be in the mid-60's today and tomorrow. Feeling the need to be outside, we packed a lunch and took a ride to explore some of the old mills in this area.
Our first stop was at the Dawt Mill...
Dawt Mill is the only working mill we saw. The mill perches on a high bank of the North Fork (of the White) River. Though the tin roof is rusted and the wood siding scarred by time, the building looks much the same as it has since its construction in 1900...
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| turbine |
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| sitting on the front porch |
Inside the mill is a restaurant, as well as an area in which to view some of the equipment that was once used in the operation of the mill...
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| the floor is original. at one time when there was a hole in the floor, tin can lids were nailed over it (original lids at left). the same method of repair is used today |
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| the dam broke during the spring flood this year |
We decided to eat our lunch prior to leaving this mill...
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| no, the earth didn't move! the camera was tilted!!! |
Our next stop was the Hodgson Mill
If you've ever used Hodgson Mill Flour, you've seen this picture. It's on the front of the flour package. Originally this is where the grain for Hodgson Flour was ground. Since the closure of the mill, a facility in nearby Gainesville is producing and distributing the all natural stone ground flours under the Hodgson Mill name.
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| attempting to get the best photos... |
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| good one! |
Hodgson's Mill is my favorite. It's located in a beautiful setting and it was fun to explore...
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| Coop having fun. View from the ramp of the upper springs leading down to the waterfall |
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| small, but loud, waterfall |
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| notice the algae and twigs in the upper springs near the waterfall? looks like the ground, doesn't it? |
Apparently, Cooper thought it was the ground as well. He was running and the next thing Ron heard was a large splash. Thankfully Coop was swimming towards him, with his head covered in algae. The spring is deep and the bank is steep. Ron grabbed his collar and hauled him out. We're grateful that he swam towards Ron and not towards the waterfalls. I was on the other side of the waterfall and didn't see or hear anything...
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| better view of the upper spring |
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| none the worse for wear! |
After the excitement of Hodgsen Mill we were grateful that Zanoni Mill (our next stop) was a much smaller mill. Zanoni Mill is not open to the public, however, it is visible from the road. This mill sits right in front of white mansion that is also a bed and breakfast. It's worth stopping here to see a well-preserved example of a rare overshot millwheel...
Our final stop of the day was at the Rockbridge Mill, which is home to an excellent restaurant.
Until is was burned during the Civil War, Rockbridge was the county seat of Ozark County. A new village grew up around the mill which was built on the banks of Spring Creek in 1865.
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| love these stone pillars... |
In 1898 a two-story general store was built near the mill. The store was considered one of the largest and finest in the Ozarks. A bank building was added in 1904. The general store and bank closed in 1933; the mill in the late 40's. Until destroyed by fire in 1986, the old general store served as headquarters for a resort and trout hatchery. A new structure, designed to resemble the original as it appeared in the 1890's, was built on the site. Today, it houses a world-class restaurant
We had a great day visiting the mills! Thanks so much Becky for the suggesting we visit these mills! Note to self, the next time we do this, take dramamine! Roads are twisty and lots of ups and downs!!
Thursday, December 5.
Winter storm Cleon has arrived. With vengence!!! Temps have gone from mid-60's to the single digits. We had freezing rain overnight, then the snow began to fall this morning.
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| Coop loves playing in the snow... |
The snow continued to fall all day. When it was over, nine inches had fallen. The city of Branson has essentially closed. We were lucky that we had snow. To the north of and south of us, they had freezing rain. It's also very cold ~ single digits. The average high and snowfall in December is 45 and three inches of snow.
Saturday, December 7
The main roads have opened. However, the Dewey Short Visitors Center remains closed. What few areas of the parking lot that have been plowed, are ice. We are hopeful it will re-open on Monday. Our parking area is ice as well...temps are supposed to return to almost normal by next Friday. We hope so. It would be difficult to move our fifth-wheel at this time. It's still cold, but not as bitter. Still snow crunching under your feet cold (how I love that sound!).
Sunday, December 8
Cabin Fever has set in. We went out and about today. Headed to Clockers for lunch (a favorite diner of ours) and then to Wal-mart for some Christmas ornaments. Wal-mart was crowded, but we didn't see many other cars on the roads. Some of the main roads are fine, parking lots and minor roads are still icy.
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| decorating the Christmas Tree |
Monday, December 9
Schools in Branson and Hollister remained closed today, and will be closed tomorrow. More snow (only a couple of inches) is coming through the night tonight. The Visitors Center re-opened today, stores and restaurants have also re-opened. It warmed up to 28 today and the high will be in the mid-30's tomorrow...
Tuesday, December 10
Branson has achieved top-ten status...for the most snowfall in the month of December in 135 years! Glad we were here to experience it!! Becky and Marie, we wish you were here to experience it as well and to play in the snow with us!!! Cooper is wishing that Rocky and Max were here to play as well. Temperatures have warmed up today. Much nicer out...
Wednesday, December 11
The snow is melting as well as the ice...just in time. We're expecting freezing rain Friday into Saturday...
The first part of December was all about the weather...temperature swings from upper 60's to single digits and from ice to snow. It was fun. And beautiful. We're so blessed that we are able to experience the beauty of the Ozarks...
