Blue Spring and Johnson Shut-Ins

Sunday morning found us packing up our belongings from a long weekend at Echo Bluff State Park, cleaning up our cabins and making sure that we didn’t leave anything behind.  Most of the crew was tired and anxious to get back to St. Louis for various graduation parties, work tasks, etc.  In somewhat typical fashion, Billy, Daniel and I were itching to keep playing just a little bit longer.  Billy and Daniel are my left-handed sons, and they seem to thrive on randomness and don’t necessarily need a plan, just an adventure.    So we were off, taking the scenic route home, with no set plan just a few ideas of places we might want to visit. While everyone else hopped on Highway 19 and headed north, we went south.

We stopped briefly for a look at the Current River at Round Spring, then continued onward.  After a sharp curve in the road we came to a beautiful overlook offering a view of a large valley backed by hillsides.  There was nice road to pull off and take it all in.  The sign indicated it was part of Angeline Conservation Area.  Fun place to stop off and enjoy the view and the beautiful wildflowers on the hillside.  We hopped back on, drove past the REDNECK CO-OP in Eminence, then stopped at the city park for a quick look at the Jack’s Fork River.

After dodging multiple cyclists on the curvy roads, we finally pulled off the highway onto the gravel road leading down hill towards Blue Spring.  At the bottom of the hill, there is a small parking area near the restrooms but no real signage letting us know we were in the right spot.  Eventually there is a sign, but only after you are already on the trail.  We walked a short .5 mile trail, much of it along the Current River and the spring branch for Blue Spring.  Finally we ended up at small overlook just above the absolutely spectacular Blue Spring.  Never before have I seen such a beautiful blue, and it sure didn’t even seem real.  We lingered for several minutes, taking photos and soaking it all in.  On the way back to the truck we saw a singing Cerulean Warbler and had nice views of a Kentucky Warbler.  I have to say, if ever in the area, make the time for the short walk and take a look at Blue Spring.

The afternoon had gotten warm and it just so happened that we were going to be driving right past Johnson Shut-Ins State Park.  We really had no choice but to stop for a quick swim.  This park is truly beautiful, and also worth a visit.  While sitting in the cold river among the shut-ins, I couldn’t decide if I was more fascinated by the scenery or the people watching.  Both were fantastic.  Unfortunately we could not linger too long as we were planning on making it back in time for 6:00 Mass, so we kept it short.  Of course we had to get some ice cream cones from the park store before hitting the road to return home and back to reality.

Sometimes it is nice to just hit the road and get home, but on this day taking the long way round was absolutely the right choice.  Missouri is a beautiful state, get out and enjoy it.  Or your state, wherever that is, as not time spent exploring the outdoors is wasted.

Blue Springs Natural Area

Johnson Shut-Ins State Park