April is finally here. With that comes the opening of many seasonal campgrounds in Missouri. The memories I have made with my daughter on camping trips are priceless, yet I have had so many people inquire about this pastime with great confusion. I’ve heard it all. People have complained to me that it sounds like…
After years of hearing tales from several co-workers about the beauty of southern Illinois, in 2012 I broke down and took a two-night solo camping trip to check it out. I have to admit that I went into the trip with a little hesitation. My impression of the state had been linked to that stretch…
Just 14 miles from my home in Union, Missouri, is a little slice of heaven on earth. It could be called a photographer’s dream, a hiker’s paradise, or a plant-lover’s haven. Yet, most of us who frequent it call it by one word, “Shaw.” Shaw Nature Reserve is a 2,441-acre gem located in Franklin County…
I follow various Facebook pages that support the Ozark Trail. In November last year, as I was scrolling my newsfeed, a status update by Illinois hiker Jed Olsen immediately caught my eye. Jed, along with two of his friends, completed the Ozark Trail in its entirety by dividing the trail into nine sections, which they…
