Vacation Day 2 - Missouri State Parks Are HAWT

First, let me just say this:

I don't know if you can see what it says inside that little purple box down there at the lower left, but today's high where we are was 109°F (43°C).  Maybe it wasn't quite that hot officially, but it was hot by anyone's standards, even mine, and I get cold easily.  So, along with about 50 or so other crazy folks, we decided it would be a great day to climb around on huge granite boulders at Elephant Rocks State Park.  I swear it must have been at least 120°-125° on the rocks that were in direct sunlight. Not to mention we endured enjoyed a hike of about a mile.

Picnic hideaway.

Shane and Kat with Sage along for the hike.

Sage putting her new hiking outfit to the test.

This was one hot slab of granite.

Glad this one was in the shade.

Shane, who somehow ended up carrying the doll.

I have no idea who these people are.

Really big rock.  There was a breeze up there, so we sat in the shade, where it was a brisk 90° or so.

After we saw the elephants, we decided it was time for lunch.  We found Baylee Jo's Barbecue, and found it tasty.  I had a Reuben sandwich with a twist -- the corned beef was also smoked.  Shane had a barbecued pork sandwich (better than the one from the night before), and Kat had another fish sandwich with fries (this time it was catfish).

Our next stop was Taum Sauk Mountain State Park, which is the highest point in Missouri.  From here, you can see the beautiful St. Francois Mountain range of the Missouri Ozarks for as far as 15 miles or so.  Some don't agree, but I'll take a tree-covered Ozark Mountain over a Rocky Mountain any ol' day.

Uh-oh.  Where's Sage?  She's still at Baylee Jo's.  Time for a quick rescue mission.

Then it was off to Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park, the best part of our day.  Sage had to stay in the truck, but the rest of us spent a couple of late afternoon hours beating the heat in this natural water park.  Water depths ranged from barely there to 40 or more feet deep!  The water was very comfortable to me, ranging from slightly cool and refreshing to slightly warm and relaxing, and it wasn't always the deepest water that was coolest.  There was some natural "seating" among rapids that felt better than any hot tub or spa I've been in.  It's a great place to play, and if we lived in this area, we'd visit this park often.

Kat making her way to the water.

Nice shot of the back of my head.

That's me.  I think.

Yep, that's me.

Waving at, and waiting for, Shane.

Sorry there aren't more pictures of us in the water, but we gave up right away on the idea that we could keep the camera dry.

It was nearly 9:00 by the time we made it back to camp and we're all tuckered out, so supper was just whatever snacks were at hand.  Tomorrow, though, promises to be more low-key.

Vacation Day 1 - No Campfire, But Birthday Cake

After a slow start on Wednesday morning we finally were on the road for our vacation by around 9:45.  Destination Southeast Missouri, specifically Onondaga Cave State Park.

The first fun thing that happened is that, as we were traveling down the highway, an SUV pulled up beside us and the passengers started waving frantically at us.  It took us a moment to realize it was our friend Billy, his fiancee Laura, and Laura's kids! We made a quick phone call to see what they were up to; they were also heading out for a family vacation.

He made the state capital, Jefferson City, by lunch time.  We had recommendations from the Osage Bluff Quilter to eat at good barbecue joint, but Shane didn't feel confident maneuvering the RV in traffic, so we ate on the far edge of town at a little drive-in burger joint called Daisy Delight.  It's a clean little place that's been in business since the mid-1950s.  For that type of place, it was pretty good.  I had the clam strips basket, while Shane ate a triple burger and Kat enjoyed a cod sandwich with fries.  I learned a helpful tip there.  Instead of dressing a whole batch of cole slaw with dressing, only to have it get watery, spoon a little dressing on top like you would dress a salad.  Now, why didn't I think of that.

We reached our campground around 3:45 and were all set up in site 60 and playing in the Meramec River by 5:30 or so.  Unfortunately, I didn't get any river pics that day. 

I knew I wouldn't want to cook the first night at camp, so we had store bought pulled pork barbecue on buns, some potato salad I made at home, and some chips and dip.  Since it was Kat's birthday, I made these little "cup" cakes for our dessert.  I don't normally make things like this, but for camping, I make exceptions.  This is called 3-2-1 Cake.  It's just one box of angel food cake mix combined with 1 box of any flavor of cake mix (this time a "red, white and blue confetti" cake mix).  Spoon 3 tablespoons of the combined mixes into a cup, stir in 2 tablespoons of water, and microwave for 1 minute.  See, 3-2-1.  Except this one seemed to work better as 3-1-1.  Whatever.  I topped them with just a spoonful of vanilla frosting and some patriotic sprinkles.

No campfire pics this trip, since we're under a statewide burn ban in the state parks.  No big deal, since we're also under a heat advisory.  No need for a cozy fire this week.

Oh yeah, this too.

An Early Birthday for Kat

Kat's birthday is the Fourth of July, which is also the day we will be leaving for our camping trip. My daughter wanted to celebrate before we leave, so with the help (and home) of her mother-in-law, the two of them hosted a great party for Kat yesterday. It was a Lego-themed party with Lego cupcakes, Lego candy, and Lego free-play, as well as a few rousing games of bingo, a coloring session, and some free time to visit. It was a fun afternoon!

The birthday girl, and her doll, who is currently named Sage.

Our friend Chris with his son Jude.  My daughter T doing the classic rabbit ears photo bomb.

Kat and cousins, coloring in the kitchen. (I love a little alliteration...LOL).

Yummy cupcakes with little candy Lego figures on top.

Lego construction site.

My daughter T., son-in-law M., Kat, and me.

Lego construction challenge.  Build your favorite food with Legos!
I'm not sure anyone met that particular challenge.

Kat with M and her Grandma K.

Jude contemplates what will come next.

Kat and her step-dad.

Kat and her mom.
Can you believe T. photo-bombed again??  This time it worked well.

A fashion statement.

They say imitation is the highest form of flattery.

Grandma K. with colorful balloons.  Did you know there is a helium shortage??

Lego figures climbing the balloon strings.

Kat and Great-Grandma D. playing bingo.  The card markers were -- you guessed it -- Lego pieces.

M. and me, drinking coffee and playing bingo.

Of course, there were plenty of gifts.  Here's a Lego set.  Are you surprised?

An artist/illustrator friend drew or painted many posters for Kat, including these Star Wars cupcakes...

...and this portrait of Darth Vader.

Last but not least, Sage received a whole new hiking outfit for her and her dog.  Just in time for vacation!