the cave

Now that Spring has definitely made an appearance here, we've been going out and exploring more and more.  I take the middle of nowhere Missouri for granted a lot, because frankly, it's easy to do it.  There just isn't much around here, until the weather cooperates, that is!  And then there are a lot of fun outdoor places to have adventures.  (But seriously, is a Target too much to ask?)  Last Friday, Brian took us onto base where there is a really beautiful caved perched high on a cliff.  The littles really really loved it.  And I loved it too, but I have a touch of claustrophobia, so I sat out the smaller enclosures of the cave.  The cave had openings all around where we could see the river running below, and pastoral scenes of cattle and horses roaming across the river.  Just a warning, there be cracks ahead.  And I'm not talking about the ones in stone...

 There was a large tree growing out of one of the openings. It was peaceful and serene, and we stayed for hours exploring.

 Since it was on the base, we weren't too surprised to find group of soldiers in one opening of the cave. But what we weren't expecting was to hear a really motivating and engrossing speech given to the NCO's in training.  It almost made me want to become an non-commissioned officer, too!

We have a number of other places on our list to explore before things go from warm and sunny to unbearably hot and humid!  Where are you planning on exploring this Spring?

trestle gawking

So in my last post, I said I'd share our "pretty view" pictures tomorrow.  I meant to say in 5 tomorrows. Yes.  That is what I meant.  On the last day of Spring Break, it was warm and sunny, so we all decided some exploring was in order.  There are a lot of rolling hills and beautiful valleys here in mid-Missouri. And not much else!  Brian found this old trestle bridge right off of Route 66, not too far from us to go check out.  It was built in the 40's to bring supplies to Ft. Leonard Wood. We drove to the overlook, and then got out to gawk at the valley below.  So beautiful!

 We found a cocoon that was jumping around, and it was fun to hold and feel the life fluttering inside to get out.

 Rowan was a little scared about walking the wall that overlooked the bridge.  I don't blame her, it made my stomach drop a little.  It wasn't a straight drop down, there was a sloping hill, so we weren't endangering our lives here.

 Fletcher, on the other hand, was a little daredevil, leaning far over and laughing when I gasped.  He's trying to shorten my life, I just know it.

 We drove around a little more and found this old wooden train bridge.  It was impressively large and intricate.  And I would not want to be any where near it when a train passed over.

It's always good for the soul to go explore a little.  And it's a treat to find special places tucked away just down the road from us.  Now that winter has surrendered, let the outdoor adventures begin!