Skipping Rocks on the Missouri River

An old friend of mine and I like to get our families together and just spend time.  It doesn't matter if it's a holiday, vacation or "just because."  

We have spent time both in Florida and Missouri, celebrating Thanksgiving, playing board games, cooking, swimming, tossing the football, listening to music and drinking beer!  

This visit we went to the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi rivers.

This place has been officially named the Edward "Ted" and Pat Jones - Confluence Point State Park. 
Many locals don't even know that this is a destination spot. 

Whether on boat or on foot I think this park should be on your list, if only to say you were there. 

(Scroll to bottom for official park link)

    Stephanie, Steve and Tiffany - Some of my favorite people

My son was worried about our dog, so he gave him a friendly lift.  

 
Girls


           By The



                                                           Riverside                      

 Hey, look!  It's me!

Cute little guy!

Anyone remember the flood of '93?  The biggest weather disaster that I have ever seen in my home town.  The photo above is my eight-year-old son, Casey, standing on top of the display, next to a water mark pole.  All the way to the top of the pole is how deep the water was, at that spot, during the flood of '93.

 "If the water was that high, right here in this spot, how far wide would it have gone?" my buddy Steve wondered.

How far wide was bigger than my mind could wrap around.

Among other things, you can actually paddle this river!  I would be scared to death but people do it. 

              

 This edit is one of my favorites.  It looks like it was from an older time. 

I love this photo.  The drift wood is perfect.  The greenery is the perfect backdrop, and the little flowers are my favorite color.   This picture makes the kid in me want to climb over that wood and see what's beyond. 

I love the way the light reflects on the water. I could see this every, single day.

This is my adventure partner, Steve.  We have known each other for years and today we got to check  "skipping rocks at the river" off of our bucket lists! 

After visiting the park's web page I realized there was a confluence "point" that we missed.  So there will be more to come.

Below is a link to the official park page.  Click and explore some more!
Click here to visit the official park page

Elephant Rocks

     One of my all-time favorite places to to take family and friends is Elephant Rocks State Park.

  

     It's located in Belleview, Mo. which is 100 miles from the city of St. Louis (Give or take).  The ride is hilly at times and showcases middle America like a postcard.  We even came upon a yard sale out in the middle of nowhere!  

     The parking is free and there are picnic tables for when you arrive.  The last time I was there you could find a local gas station not too far down the road. 

     Bathrooms are available.  

     Bring a first aid kit just in case you scrape a knee. 

 

     In the opposite direction, 16.5 miles away (according to mapquest), you will find the famed Johnson Shut-In's State Park.  Because of their close proximity I recommend seeing them both in one day.  You start out driving into the Elephant Rocks and do your hiking for the day; get yourselves all sweaty so you are ready for the water at the Shut-Ins. 

     Bring some drinking water because you will get thirsty. Wear sunscreen, take lots of pictures and don't fall off! 

   

See some highlights.

                                                         My kids. 

  "Nature will always find a way."

 Makes me want to walk right through the middle.

                                                                              Mi familia!

Rocks from this quarry were used to pave the streets of downtown St. Louis. 

 Hide n Go Seek in the rocks!

 http://www.visitmo.com/elephant-rocks-state-park.aspx?gclid=CjkKEQjwiPWcBRCTj_-Vz8fE3cMBEiQAZIMSUjOZ3X63W91qds4tCCNmnQyImYp20RvC53EnzBWxY5jw_wcBwebsite.

What to do outside in the Greater St. Louis Area.

Welcome to my destination blog for the city of St. Louis and surrounding areas.  

This blog is for natives who want to do more in their hometown, for transplants who want to get to know the area and visitors who have heard how awesome it is.

I invite you to follow me and mine as we make our way around the city and state.  I tend to be heavy on the pictures so leave me a comment and tell me, "Hey, that's okay. We love pictures!"  Or, "Nah, just give us the link to your flikr  (https://www.flickr.com/photos/111968717@N03/albums) and well find what we need there."

So here we go!