DOGWOOD CANYON

I have been fortunate to travel to all fifty states, many countries, and taken several cruises, car trips and train trips but the day I toured Dogwood Canyon in Lampe, MO was one of the most beautiful days I have spent "on the backroads".  From the moment you enter the park you are surrounded by nature at its finest.  Granted it was a beautiful day to begin with, if a bit warm, but even on the gloomiest day you can imagine this would still be gorgeous.  Come along on the trails, on the tram ride and in the restaurant for a day to remember.

Johnny Morris, the founder and lead outfitter for Bass Pro Shops is who to thank for this beautiful part of the world.  The park is 10,000 acres (although our tour guide said Mr. Morris had acquired another 10,000) of hiking and horseback riding trails, pastureland, waterfalls, paved trails, fishing holes, and even a church.  Don't be in too big of a hurry to get touring there is a speed limit.  Strictly enforced.

Once parked, we headed toward the mill, museum, restaurant and bike barn where you can rent bikes of all sizes and even ones with the kiddo carrier on the back.  The mill is fully functional, in case you were wondering.

Along the path were gorgeous flowers in neatly maintained beds, with guardians in the form of a multitude of flying pollinators.

If you know me, you know I have a weird aesthetic and see beauty and whimsy in weird and wonderful places, nor did I outgrow my 8 year old imagination.  

This little spider web was the protective entry to the fairy pueblo a bit further down the cliff.  The fairies were safe from any attack, it was a masterpiece of design.

Here's the pueblo at my eye level, far enough away from enemies on the ground and protected from the elements.  The overhang goes back about three inches, plenty enough room for the fairy family to be high and dry during a rain storm and from flying enemies.  I believe the architecture and interior design is quite well done as are the furnishings.

A bit further down the trail was the 80' Long Pine Crossing covered bridge over Little Indian Creek.  It was built by Amish craftsmen in 1992 using only hand tools.  The wood was salvaged from a 100 year old abandoned Chicago warehouse.  A display of those tools is on the far side of the bridge but we were on the tram so I didn't get a shot of them.  Most impressive though.

Little Indian Creek

While we are on the subject of bridges.  Throughout the park you find on bridges, and in other places, these iron medallions.  Each is unique and the workmanship is awesome.  Although on the cobblestone Turtle Rock Bridge, the "medallions", looking like turtle shells, are natural rock.  (no photo of those because of the bumpy stream crossing - bridge tracks were actually submerged)

Before long you reach a small chapel in front of a scenic waterfall.  It was modeled after historic churches from the 1800s and has a seating capacity of 120.  It is constructed of native materials such as short leaf pine, oak and red cedar.  It is available for weddings and other events and comes with a bridal suite.

After a brief stop we are back on the tram heading down to the freezer section for a quick Dino Bite snack.  Well, not really but one visitor said it looked like their kiddo's Dino Bites, and now I can't see anything else.  At first I saw an animal cracker or buffalo.  This is a natural rock formation formed by erosion

Fishing is permitted along the creeks that run through the park.  There is a section where the big boys live that is guided.  The largest fish caught in the park, a 21 pound Buffalo fish, was caught by a 16 year old girl on one of the guided fishing outings.  Reportedly, Johnny Morris had it mounted for her as a gift. 

Fishing, guided or self guided, is allowed throughout the park except one location.  The Glory Hole.  This is strictly for Johnny Morris and select guests (Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Dick Chaney, George H.W. Bush among others).  I don't know about the fishing, supposedly this is where the whoppers are, but the Glory Hole itself is absolutely g-o-r-g-e-o-u-s -l-y breath taking.  

Glory Hole - This side

Glory Hole the other side

I wouldn't care if I ever caught a fish here, just let me sit on a lawn chair with a tall glass of iced tea in the quiet except for bird and insect song, and I will be happy.

Speaking of fish.

Animal Planet's Treehouse Masters built a beautiful treehouse that is as exciting for grown ups as for children.  I will have to cross the bridge (disclaimer:  I am not a dog and the bridge is not a rainbow) the next time I am there and see what's inside.  

On up the hill to the pasture lands where the buffalo roam, and the elk and longhorns.  They are used to the trams coming through and paid us no attention, but since there were babies I could feel several eyes keeping a close eye on us.

Not afraid

Obviously not afraid of us

Babies in the shade staying cool while mamas fix lunch.

Spa day for the lady elks

Spa attendant making sure the guys stay
on their side of the pasture

Obviously a Karen Elk.  Very disapproving of young ladies bathing nek-nek with gentlemen present in the same pasture.  I can just hear her twisting her pearls and gasping at the morals of the younger generation.

                                                                                                          Takoda is a white buffalo and a perfect
                                          chaperone for the bathing elk 

Just a note that may or may not be interesting, as we left the pasture lands we were welcomed back into Missouri.  The park sits on the state line with the visitors center in Missouri and the pasturelands and many of the trails in Arkansas.  There are "Welcome to Arkansas/Missouri" signs as you pass through.

Random shots that make you exhale and feel the tension leave your body.

 

Before we took the tram ride we had lunch at the restaurant at the visitors center.  My friend and I split a fried buffalo taco that was excellent.  From my daughter and son-in-law the chicken strips and salad were equally as good as our nacho.  Service was great, wait was short, and view of the entrance waterfall was a perfect backdrop.  

One of the panels leading into the restaurant

 

Elvis has not left the building.  He is standing guard over the exit door.

He has a couple of buddies down the hall.

Too soon it was time to cross the bridge and head back to the farm to pack to go home the next day.  What a marvelous time we had seeing all the sights we saw, making note to come back to the places we visited, and counted our blessings for my daughter, son-in-law and granddoggy for sharing their piece of the world with us.  Thank you, you are loved.

Head down the backroads, listen to the whispers, they tell a story.