Warsaw

The town of Warsaw, Missouri is an easy ride from our campground. Taking 83 Highway it's about an hour away; a scenic trip on a lesser used road. The wind was a little harsh but without truck traffic we had a nice trip.

Fall is sneaking in here. Because of a hot and dry summer here this year the foliage isn't expected to be vibrant, but you can see some leaves turning. Two days ago there was a hint, yesterday more and today a definite color change.

Some of the walnut trees are already bare, but the hickory haven't turned at all yet.

I hope I'll get some good photos.

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This is a bridge over the Osage River in Warsaw. Originally built in 1904, it was a toll bridge. It must have been a money maker, too, because a tornado destroyed the bridge in 1924 and it was rebuilt. Cars drove over it until 1979, and I'm guessing they still try. Why else put a monument in the middle of the walk?

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A view from the bridge showing the Osage River.

Riverboats navigated the river until railroads were built.

See the white area in the background?

That's the Kaysinger Bluff - a local landmark.

The lake here was named Kaysinger Reservoir in the planning stage, then changed to Truman Dam and Reservoir to honor President Harry Truman.

I could barely see a building on the horizon just above the bluff.

Zooming the camera in as far as possible this is what I saw.

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It looked so out of place.

I had no idea what it was, but it turned out to be the visitor center.

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The dam viewed from the visitor center.

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The area just below the dam, and if you look closely you can see the lake just over the low mountains in the background.

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The visitor center has some very nice exhibits; mastodon bones, a mounted bald eagle (smaller than I thought it should be) Indian artifacts and Civil War replicas. Handmade quilt squares circle the ceiling on the main floor.

I still dislike the design.

It seems way too modern for the setting, like a spaceship next to the log cabin built here.

Hickory County

We are camped a few miles from Hermitage, Missouri; the county seat of Hickory County.

I'd just assumed the county got it's name from the hickory trees that are abundant here, but I've learned the name is a reference to President Andrew Jackson - "Ol' Hickory". The town of Hermitage is named for President Jackson's home.

Hickory County is the poorest county in the state with the highest unemployment. Most of the businesses in the area rely on tourism; restaurants, fishing guides, boat repair etc.

The weekend traffic here has slowed to less than 25% of a few weeks ago, and during the week our campground is inhabited by less than 10 full timers. The marina is closing for the season today. I feel sad, knowing how many people will have to tighten their belts 'til next spring.

Hermitage had a festival on Saturday, so of course I had to go.

The courthouse is in the town square like most small towns,

and it was surrounded by craft tents.

It kinda looked like the Easter Bunny pulling a patriotic train. The cars were made of plastic barrels, and I saw some adults fit themselves in too.

The floral arrangements were SO cheap!

John is very lucky that I have no more room to display "stuff".

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My friend Noelle checking out the billfolds.

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Fabric art pumpkins, and yes, I needed one but didn't give in.

Where would I store it after Halloween?

There ARE some hardships with this lifestyle.

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This bench, made of cedar, and the one behind it were on sale for $25!

The same man had a coffee table with a red cedar top and a base made

from a tree trunk for $50.

Even with prices like that people weren't buying.

Only one booth was very busy - the Amish.

They were selling jars of jams and jellies, apple butter, honey and baked goods.

There's no photo because I didn't trust myself to look that close.

WHAT??????

John and I were on our way to Springfield, Mo. earlier this week, driving Highway 65 south and looking for diversions.

Usually we'd drive through Bolivar but we decided to try a different route, longer but not familiar to us.

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Just north of Louisburg we came upon something............. odd.

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John shouted out

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Camel!?

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CAMEL??

There they were.

A dozen camels.

I was surprised by one camel, but a dozen astounded me!

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I could sort of understand having one camel; like a pet or a hobby; but a dozen?

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They look quite content with their lot and amused by my interest.

Having grown up on a farm, I was sure there had to be a reason why these camels were here.

Since there were calves in the field these people were obviously in the camel growing business.

I couldn't think of any other reason than milk. Not knowing anything about it I Googled

"Camel milk" and found www.camelmilkusa.com

They make some astonishing claims. I hope they're right.

John said later he was really glad I was with him.

He had a corroborating witness.

Signs of the times

On Highway 65 just south of Preston, Mo. a local homeowner is asserting his right to express his opinion.

His punctuation is creative, but the hand is amazing. If you click on the photo to enlarge it you'll discover that the "bird" hand has fingernails on both sides of the fingers.

Maybe he mixes upper and lower case letters just to get your attention.

He certainly got mine.

No matter how it's written you can obviously see this man, like most American voters, is no fan of Obama.

When someone covers their front yard with this they are NOT happy.

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The sign below is what made me pull over and take pictures.

WHAAA....!

O K, I'm stunned!

I can't believe a government study about penis size, gay or otherwise!

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I had to check it out!

C'mon, wouldn't you?

Turns out the NIH (National Institute of Health) did do a study on the topic!

For real!!

AND they got federal money too!

OUR tax dollars paid for it!

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In 2006

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Pre-Obama

Hey, I'm still outraged!

The home owner had no sign in his lawn concerning his next-door neighbor.

DVD's starting at $4

Driving across America I have been surprised at the number of "Adult" stores in rural areas.

Somehow I thought they were all in seedy, older downtown areas and along Interstate highways.

10% discount with a CDL!

Turns out some of those farmers are frisky and curious too.