A neat idea - writer Greg Rudroff went to Marble Creek Campground on a snowy morning last winter and cooked breakfast. A great way to experience nature in the winter. A story on the adventure is in the December issue of Traveler.

There's also a story about a great duck hunt at Otter Slough Conservation area near Dexter. It goes with the cover picture. Bob Todd and son Bo camped at Otter Slough, "next door" to thousands of snow and blue geese which provided plenty of entertainment before the hunt began the next morning.

There's a story about Schoolcraft's journey through the White River country when it was being settled. And a bit of Indian lore about how Indians regarded the wolf and coyote.

An editorial addresses the U.S. Forest Service proposal to open part of the Mark Twain to ATV and other use on an experimental basis. Basically, Traveler is for it for ATV's, but against the "other".

The Trace Creek section of the Ozark Trail is covered this month, and there's a story about what happens when fine quail dogs encounter feral pigs.

Place is an important element in the hunt, usually, and Royce Armstrong make that point in a bow hunting story. Russ Doughty tells of a trout fishing trip that was most memorable for seeing his son mature as a fisherman. Bill Cooper writes about a guided trip on Eleven Point River where big rainbow trout were sought and found. And Bryan Dent writes about catching nice largemouth bass in a part of Gasconade River known for its smallmouth bass.

Parking for sight-seeing is needed at one particular spot in the Ozark National Scenic Riverways and the needed is outlined in this issue. That story is repeated below.

There are also news stories about the Ozarks outdoors, sun and moon tables, seasons, coming events, letters to the editor and more.

Parking needed at Riverways overlook

It is still a good idea.
The idea of creating a parking area so people can enjoy the vista(s) offered from Devil’s Backbone overlooking Current River valley.
Route K, which leads down to Akers Ferry, occupies a very narrow ridge known as Devil’s Backbone. If you’ve ever been there, you’ve glimpsed the view as you drove by, being careful to avoid the edge of the highway - the drop off is steep indeed.
If you want to stop and look, there is a space barely wide enough for two vehicles on the northbound side of the road. Most folks get out there and walk across the highway to look. Many photograph the view.
But this is a narrow, two-lane highway with no shoulders and no guard rail. Usually traffic is sparse. But it is scary to think of being out there if cars were to come by going the legal limit.
There is a solution, however. Instead of going onto the road, some folks have worn a path up to the very top of the ridge. From the parking spot, go 30 steps south (downhill) and look for the path. It climbs up on the ridge, which you can follow uphill to a much better overlook than you get from the highway.
Years ago, the suggestion was made that a single lane drive could be made on the back side (east) of the ridge. People could take this road, which need not be paved, and park along it. Steps could be made to help them to the ridge and some brush could be cleared to open more of the views.
The land is all in Ozark National Scenic Riverways, so there’s no ownership problem. Years ago, park officials said that it was a good, inexpensive idea that would benefit the park and its visitors. But nothing was ever done.
It is time to revisit that idea.

From the Past, TRAVELER, December, 1979

December is a traditional time to turn one's attention to walleye fishing in the Ozarks and the December, 1979 issue told of a fishing trip to Castor River near Greenbriar. Fishing was slow until a rain became heavy enough that creeks began draining muddy water in to the river.

Missouri gave up its ban on grass carp. It was too late to stop their spread. And deer hunters set a new record by killing 53,130 deer.

There was a photo feature about a walking tour of the new wildlife observation trail at Lake Wappapello. It overlooks a waterfowl refuge.

And there was a story about waking up cold while camping on a gravel bar, just in time to see a major meteor show. And coyotes hunting along the far bank. And imagining what would be the reaction of our hunting partner if we fired a shotgun blast across the river at the coyotes at 3:30 a.m. while he still slept.

Traveler was trying some new things. Someone convinced us everyone would be interested in their outdoor horoscope. And at the insistence of some readers, we tried a classified reader ad section. It didn't work out, but the idea may be tried again with a new twist.

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