A beautiful, cool, sunny day unfurled beneath mostly clear blue skies on this singular day of adventuring about the area surrounding Fredericktown in Missouri. While enjoying an excellent breakfast at local A&M in nearby Junction City, some debate led to choosing the farthest point out as the point of beginning for the day.
A bit more time on the road in the morning gave time to warm up a bit. A cold front and subsequent storms passing through the previous night had left a chill in the air. It faded along the route, though lingered comfortably brisk for the remainder of the day.
The intrusion exposure at Johnson Shut-Ins is as stunning on a red flag day like this one as it appeared in the last visit, under a green flag. None were adventurous enough to clamber out on the rocks and rapids today though. The paved path into the sight, along with the subsequent boardwalk and viewing platform placed this location as one of the easiest tasks, though most were a close second.
Standing guard, my comrade remained at the base of Elephant Rocks, protecting a good book. Summiting the formation found the peak lazily lounging about in the sun and not quite as formidable as witnessed from a distance. Threading the trail in and around the site hosted an array of curiosities, both biological and geological, to include the ruins of an old engine house, built to repair trains locomotives of the Iron Mountain and Southern Railroad more than 100 years ago.
Shared efforts attained the next summit overlook from the top of the state. Turning the corner and following the path a little further, the Mina Sauk Falls Trail tempted and almost nearly seduced this scouting expedition. The promise of a leisurely hour and a half downhill stroll to the falls seemed a good idea on this afternoon, but a more formal investigation is pending. There were other items on the agenda this day.
Random distractions require additional attention, as well. The Arcadia Academy appeared along the path to the next inspection. A long and sullied history emerged from this point of interest. Humble beginnings as the Methodist High School grew into involvement in the Civil War, before then being overrun by Ursulines, until forced to close in 1971. Now they serve ice cream, host a restaurant, event space, a bakery, and a bed and breakfast. Occasionally, they host a murder too.
Likely the most difficult destination of the day uncovered a scene every bit the molten perfection as that over at the Johnson’s place. The bright pink granite stood stark in this particular igneous environment. The smooth features guided waters from the Castor River safely through the intrusion and on to their appointment with the Mississippi River.
Accessing the final distraction of the day required a bit of backtracking through Fredericktown again. Any other destination would have required as much effort though. The Last Supper of the day lie even further north in Farmington.
Castle Rock proved less of a task than the route into the spot. Access was well marked, but the path hosted certain obstacles. Easily overlooking them arrived at a map that distinguished very little about the actual location on the estate. An educated guess down one trail closest to the map led to sight of the formation, standing naked against the blue sky, between trees still lacking appropriate foliage to offer much camouflage.
With the sun nearing the horizon, mid-section pangs demanded attention, left no more space for wandering about. Somewhat dirty and dusty from the trail, the party crashed the 12 West Bar & Grill to dine among some of the finest in Farmington. Known from previous travels, it offered the perfect source of sustenance to close a day of wandering along the road.
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