Kansas post rocks. . .

Most people hate driving across Kansas, . .  I don't, which may go to say a lot about me, I don't know.
But I love it. The open vista's, the old farms, the expansive sky. I think it is great.
And where else can you see so many post-rocks.
In an area with little wooded land, early Kansas farms had to come up with other ways to hold up the Barbwire (or Bob-wire if you tend to be sexist). With lots of limestone around the solution seemed simple. (And they don't rot.)
Today' QS. . .  post rock.

Feb. expedition, again or still . . . .

 Wow! A couple busy days.
Of course Feb. is Valentine's month, and grandma makes the best pies.
So we got to celebrate Valentine's Day and. . .

 . . .grandpa's birthday all at the same time.

 Then we got to try on our new tartan dress that we will proudly wear for Tartan Days in April.

Then on the 18th we started our expedition at
Elephant Rocks State Park.
We forgot a warm enough coat, so we made due with dad's fleece.

 Big rocks.

 Good view.

 Best tire swing ever!

 We then hit a couple antique shops in Caledonia, Mo.

 Come on in!

Beautiful old general store turned antique/coffee/goodies store.
The hot coffee and sweets were a treat.

 I remember this one being restored, and it had promise. Although the log work is well done, it is getting a run-down trailer park feel.

 This one, however, is wonderful.
The original part of the red structure was built in the early 1800's. The log building on the side was added a few years ago and goes well with the main building.

 On the same property was this old general store moved here from Quaker Mo.

 We then visited our second covered bridge, Sandy Creek, in Jefferson County.
It is now a state historical site and is well maintained.

 Always time to play in the creek.

 On Sunday we hit Our Lady of the Rivers (which is looking a little run down because of recent high water).

 Then the migratory bird sanctuary near Alton.
This will be a lot of fun closer to spring when the birds start flying north again.

Staff was very helpful.




Another great couple of days.

New art from Michael Haynes

I haven't been getting chance to post much with some changes going on on blogger, but will be back soon.
Till I am back, enjoy some of Michael's new stuff.
http://www.mhaynesart.com/Galleries.php?Gallery=ColoradoLandscapes

If you have ever dreamed of your own man (or girl) land. . . .

http://freecabinporn.com/

Log life list (LLL) two days in a row. . . . WOW!

 Wonderful old farm on the out skirts of town.
Three log buildings, an old house and some nice barns.

 The biggest of the old barns.

Well done restoration. Made beautiful and usable.

A very functional restoration. Lots of care went into these.

 Front view of the one right above.

 Other side.

This little one I have posted before, but is one of the three.

The old farm house.

The other big barn.
There were also several other out buildings that would be fun to explore also.

Love it when I find new logs for the log life list

Near Josephville Mo. two log barns.

 Spotted this one first from the road.
Probably a small workshop or grain bin.

 The large barn is beautiful, and a classic shape.

 The logs near the door give it away.

I will try to return when the owners are home and get an inside view.

Out of the wind. . . .

QS tree for the morning. . . .

I like her stuff. . . .

Marjorie Glick

Ghost town winter. . .

White-out #2

Expanding possibilities . . .

Cool picture of how over time, the farmer expanded his small crib log barn into a larger barn with an over hang to protect his wagons, or in more modern times, his tractor.

The boards at the top may have been removed for better ventilation if he was storing hay up top.

Cold

Cold but still out of doors

 We are very lucky here in Missouri to have a wonderful Conservation Dept, and they do a fantastic job of making the out-of-doors accessible to just about every one. And every chance we get, we like to explore another area.
Well Powder Valley, where we went Sat. is one of wife's and daughter's favorite places to go.
This was my first time.
A nice big visitors area is ideal for bird-watchers, which wife is very good at.

 But first, we were greeted by a very big frog.

Inside bird viewing area is all glass, looking out over the feeding platforms.

 Lots of books and posters to help tell you what you are seeing.
We saw cardinals, blue-jays, juncos, wrens, finches and two types of woodpeckers, along with several other birds.

Feeders even have a microphone so you can hear the birds.

 Close up of a couple of woodpeckers.

 Landscaped waterfall so birds can drink.

 In the rest of the building there is lots of interactive stuff for the kids to explore.
Here daughter is in a big 'tree house' where she can learn all about the 'wildlife' we can see in our own yard.

 There's also an area where kids can put on 'wildlife' puppet shows.

Two wild critters.

 Right next to the viewing area is a wonderful fireplace that they usually have going,. . . but not today.
Boy we could have used it when we got back from our hike.

 Daughter and I did get outside for a while to explore.
Here she is checking out the creek.

We also spotted four deer on our walk.

Favorite outdoor game . . . 'Poke a stick in the water (ice)'


What a great day!