Day 26

 We are in Branson Missouri at Table Rock Lake. We were last here eleven years ago. Enjoyed our anniversary dinner last last after a quick trip to Springfield. Today we have our near constant companion since leaving Aransas pass. Good news cooler temps are on the way.

  We did not look at the eclipse but we were in the 90% totality band. Was eerie looking and leaves were making dual shadows on the ground.

 More to come but for now, a good book is in order




carpe diem

Day 24

  We have really enjoyed our stay at Bull Shoals White River state park. Not near any interstate, down windy twisty roads but worth the effort. We hope to return and stay two weeks next time.

  Of lessons learned while here, most revolve around boats and motors. The style of flat bottom boats they use I had not seen before. Fiberglass hulls based on designs utilized by early settlers. The outboard motors have short lower units in order to reach shallow areas. I have also seen motors where the propeller assembly had been replaced by a jet propulsion units. I am told that they loose a fair percentage of horsepower in this conversion. Of all the many boats I have owned none of them had power tilt and trim, including the 85hp on my last boat. For those unfamiliar power tilt and trim raises and lowers the motor for you.

 Tomorrow we relocate to Lake Tablerock in Missouri, near Branson. We will be there for a week with a very full agenda of things to see and do. After that comes a two week stay with nothing planned.


 More photos of the river and campground.

Trout dock

notice difference in widths?

caught about a dozen trout off of that beach

pretty neat rig

our home for past week

next posting from Tablerock Lake State Park





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A little different

 First off my bashful friend captured in data form. This fellow has been around everyday but he is quite camera shy. I don't expect him to pose for a better photo.

  Today we drove to Mountain View to visit another state park. This one is different as it offers no camping. More information can be found HERE . It was a fun day and almost empty doing in part that a lot of people were in town for a motorcycle rally. We decided to have dinner in the restaurant and were glad we did. Good service, good food, low price.

 We also had free entertainment with our meal. Always nice to visitors and entertainment. Three squirrels and a ground hog.

"gather ye rosebuds while ye may"

Day 22

Fear the mighty mockingbird.

 If you have ever observed mockingbirds you know they appear fearless. Have seen them harass crows, a much larger bird. Crows are one thing but birds of prey would seem a different thing altogether. Was getting photos of this one in a oak tree when it flew over to a pine tree. That apparently was without the permission of the local mockingbird. It began squawking and  attacking it. The bird of prey flew away, all hail the mighty mockingbird

 You just never know what you will witness in nature





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Photo Essay

Click on photo to enlarge

VERY NICE VISITOR CENTER

WE ARE ON BEND OF RIVER, LEFT SIDE

STOCKING DAY FOR MORE TROUT

LOADED INTO NET OF PONTOON BOAT

DISPERSES TROUT ALONG RIVER

MY BRIDE GAVE ME AUTOGRAPHED BOOKS BY McMANUS

RETIREMENT IS HARD WORK

Day 20

  Back in the Rio Grande valley it is hot and dry. Had been that way for some time. It has rained on us nearly everyday since we left Aransas Pass. Alters some plans but you adjust, adapt and over come. Guess where we are in this map

  I took my shirt off to see if I could find a bullseye painted on the back...

 Yesterday I sat in on a fly fishing demonstration given by one of the park rangers. Informative and I did learn some things. May get the fly rod out of storage and try again. Same ranger also cooked fresh rainbow trout for a demonstration last night. Rainbow are stocked in the river as they normally will not reproduce like the Brown and Brook. The flesh of a hatchery raised Rainbow is white. The flesh of one born in the river is pink like a salmon. While both are tasty the pink flesh is better.

 I have spoken of the fog on the river. In yesterdays video you might have noticed wisp of it hanging in the air. The attached raw, unedited video was shot around 6:30 pm just after a rain.

 And even though we are less than 100 feet from the river the temperature bankside is probably 10 degrees cooler. Such is the effect of the cold river water.

 A quick word about Arkansas state parks. This is our third park on this trip and we are very impressed. Facilities in good shape, a lot of programs scheduled, friendly staff and rangers. We will stay at two more in late October, early November on our way home.

gathering rosebuds and making memories

White River

 First it might be informative if I showed you where we are, courtesy of Google Earth.

  Bull Shoals lake was created by damming the White river. The dam is also used for power generation, serving parts of 6 states I am told. When they are not releasing water you can almost walk across it. Because they have had a wet year the lake is full and 5 of 6 gates are open. The water comes from the bottom of the lake and is about 50 degrees in temp. This cold water then creates fog on the river that comes and goes. It is well known for trout fishing. Four types: brown, rainbow, brook and cutthroat are caught in the river. I managed to find the dumbest trout in the river, a 10 inch Brown. The water is crystal clear and I saw it hit my lure. Of course, I released it after thanking it for the excitement.

More to come from this area


video

ps:
I was trying to cook shrimp scampi while also editing that video. The result is not something I am proud, of but will leave it up for now. I can, and will, produce better videos to give you a view and a feel for our experience. Frustrated with my still photography results and having fun learning video shooting and editing, thus more video and fewer photos.


carpe diem