Friday, September 4, 2015

Nature's Treasures

We spent this last weekend on a trip to Eastern Missouri, Hawn State Park, and then visited the soon to be State Park of St. Genevieve, Missouri, which is one of the oldest settlements west of the Mississippi. It was a wonderful trip, very remote in the middle of 5000 acres of pristine woodland and river. Many of the leaves there are already starting to change. I was near giddy at seeing the golden leaves flutter to the ground along the river's edge.






It was beautiful and peaceful there, parked close by the slow running tree lined river. I scoured our campsite to see what was indigenous to the area, so here are a few pics of some of my "nature" treasures from along the river valley.


These ferns were growing all along the bluffs next to the river.









Can you see the trees growing out of the crevices in the bluffs?



We had on our tennis shoes, not our river shoes. My feet were soaked, despite my best effort to work my way through the stream on top of the rocks.















This is Goldenrod and I'm not sure what the other yellow flowers are.






These Post Oaks (larger leaf) were starting to change and the acorns are from these. Not sure what these smaller leaves are, but these little yellow ones were the ones that fluttered down like snow. I think they were some sort of River Birch, but not sure.






These acorns are too cute, with their little hats on. 
The deer love these and we could tell they'd been near our campsite.



Don't you love that "nature's color" of green on the acorns?



This little branch is from a Chokeberry Bush.






I photographed these on the rustic picnic table that was at our site.









I really enjoyed this little project of collecting nature's little treasures. I'm going to have to get an airtight bag for the goodies. I left them out overnight in a paper bag and the next morning it was filled with teensy crickets or grasshopper type little fellas. Glad I had the sense not to bring them inside.





We stopped along the way home at Meramec Springs near St. James, Missouri


We saw a Muskrat busy doing whatever Muskrats do, 
lot's of Hummingbirds, and deer.


The blue of the water is amazing. 
They say it's the minerals coming up through the rocks that causes it.



this is also a great fishing area.






Here are some pics from St. Genevieve, 
which is a little over an hour south of St. Louis. 






Love the sign and the iron fencing.



 Oh these window boxes...






Old wheelbarrow










This is an old Catholic Church


I wanted to show you the relief statue in the inset niche.
so lovely.



So, this was how we spent last weekend. Some of these photos may look all the same to you, but we want to keep a little diary of where we've been and what we enjoyed. This was a beautiful little trip. You can go back through and enlarge the photos to get a closer look. just click twice.





I have a treat for you coming up next week. I'll be hosting a Give Away with my favorite Pillow Artiste, Heather, from Elliott-Heath Designs. Shhhhhh...she actually designed this original for me! Get ready, you'll LOVE it! (you can have one too!) She has so many great Fall and Halloween Designs!

Joining in here:

The Scoop at Stone Gable


Have a wonderful weekend!
xoxo,


21 comments:

  1. All your photos are so beautiful! I can't wait for fall. The pillow is gorgeous.

    Kathy

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  2. So beautiful! It's understandable that we try to bring it all inside! Those little acorns are too cute. I'm enjoying your trips- we have never been to Missouri and these photos are so gorgeous.
    love and blessings, Debra! Have a wonderful weekend!

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    1. I love seeing parts of the country I've never been to, so I'm so glad this is interesting to some people. thanks Lynda!

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  3. Debra, this post is full of beauty. My favorite way to spend some leisure time is to walk in beautiful wooded areas like this. Nature's beauty! Thanks for sharing.

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  4. What a great collection of photos, the trip looks divine. and seriously I think I will put that area on our list for next year. Again, beautiful photography and such a great eye, you have. Thanks for the armchair trip, Sandi

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  5. Great photos and finds, Debra! If I was a bettin' woman, I'd say you're starting to enjoy the camp thing. ;) Looking forward to the EH opportunity, too.
    Rita

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  6. We love Ste Genevieve. There are Kwanzan Cherries planted along the streets in the older section of the town. It was inspiration for our Kwanzan Cherry tree at our old house. We returned from a trip to Nashville and Franklin TN a few years ago. We cut across the Mississippi down by the boot heel and came up through Ste Genevieve and Kimmswick etc. on our drive home. It was April and the trees were in bloom. I always tell people to take the back roads away from the hoopla and interstates. You already know how I feel about Missouri. She's a beauty! Thanks for this post!

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  7. Beautiful autumn photos!!! Sounds like peaceful trip.

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  8. Wow, what beautiful places and photos! My favorite is the close-up of the acorns. You should put that on a canvas for the fall! :) ~julie

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  9. What a beautiful part of the country you live in! I am sad to say that I have never spent much time in your corner of the world. I have been to St Louis, but mostly I have just driven through your state on the way out west. There are so many beautiful spots in our great country. It's so refreshing to do some armchair traveling. It's still so hot and humid down here on the Texas Gulf Coast. The heat index is 105 to 109 degrees today. Last night Bentley wanted to go out at 1 am. I took him out and waited for him to do his business and it was like walking into a steam bath. So enjoy your glimpse of fall and lovely temps. I will be thinking of you.

    Big Texas Hugs,
    Susan and Bentley

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  10. I just love it all, Debra!! Those chubby little acorns are wonderful, and all of the lovely rocks, streams, leaves and buildings! Looks like you had a great time!! Thanks for taking us along!
    Hugs!!
    Becky

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  11. Thank you for posting this. My husband and I used to visit St. Genevieve and we loved it. He is gone now and I'll probably not visit again but love seeing it through your eyes.

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  12. Thank you for all the beautiful pictures. It makes this Southern Calif girl want to visit Missouri soon!

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  13. Oh, Deba, what a beautiful trip you had. As far as 'chippy' paint goes, we don't have anything on Mother Nature. So beautiful. I hope you got enough for a little bowl full. Some of the rocks along the river remind me of where I grew up, but that was a far piece from where you were at. All of those houses are gorgeous. Certainly a beautiful part of our country..Happy Weekend..Judy

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  14. I loved all of these photos, especially the cool and shady ones by the water. What a beautiful trip and scenery :)

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  15. The blue of the water is beautiful. We certainly can't compete with the wonder of nature.

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  16. What a pretty area to camp! I love all the scenery you shared. I felt like I went on a Fall excursion with you. looks like Fall is almost there now. My husband would love to camp and fish there. He likes to fly fish in rivers so he would probably enjoy that area. Thanks for sharing all of the pretty photos.

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  17. Beautiful! I am getting more and more excited about the coming fall season!
    Blessings,
    Cindy

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  18. debra,
    The photos of Nature's treasures stirs the "Annual Vacation Bug" within me, dear friend!!!
    We are making preliminary plans as I keyboard this comment!!!
    Looking forward to some wonderful nature hikes, fishing and just relaxing in your great State , soon!!!
    Fondly,
    Pat

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  19. Debra, it looks like you had an amazing trip. I can almost smell the fresh air from your lovely photos. Thank you for sharing them. Jo

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  20. I loved the nature scenes from your hike! The pictures of the leaves and acorns are really lovely! Looks like you had a great time!

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