A Wonderland of Rivers and Forests

Early Spring Trip to the Ozarks

As mentioned in previous posts, my cousin and I always plan on some kind of wintertime getaway to break the spell of “home cabin” fever.  Our winter getaway usually includes an afternoon hike and spending the night in a cabin that’s near or by a river.

If it’s late winter and the temperatures are fair, we also enjoy car camping in a wilderness/recreation area(Paddy Creek Wilderness area is a great spot!)

Anyway, we generally don’t plan on floating January through March; besides, we enjoy checking out some of the cabins available in different parts of the Ozarks.  There are some great choices out there and I look forward to sharing that information.

Overlooking the Big Piney River from the deck of our cabin site

Overlooking the Big Piney River from the deck of our cabin site; Obrien's cabin near Licking, MO

MARCH 2012

It’s four days past spring(March 24th)and we’re on the verge of making our first rendezvous of the year.  Due to nagging restraints of the real world, we’re running a little behind as we usually meet up for a winter getaway no later than mid March.  We have reserved a cabin near Licking, MO that sits above the Big Piney River for the first night and plan on going to the “Piney River Brewing Company,” a microbrewery in Bucyrus, MO, earlier that afternoon.

 

And to make things more interesting…

This has been one of the warmest winters on record and temperatures reached an astounding? 87 degrees March 14 in the St. Louis area.  So the freakishly warm winter, the HOT introduction to spring, a weekend forecast of high 70’s/low 80’s, and pushing back our first getaway dates set the table for a weekend with surprising fare.

Already,

we had heard reports that Serviceberry was blooming and even Redbuds were ready to bust out in more southerly parts of the Ozarks.
Another source informed us that not only has he heard the expected Peepers and Chorus Frogs, but he’s also heard Leopard Frogs, American Toads, and even Green Frogs already calling.  And my cousin mentioned that the Bluebells in his garden were already 3” high.
Also, right before our departure, we heard that the Dogwoods were  now blooming!

 

LOAD THE CANOE!  It’s FLOATIN’ time in MARCH!

This added, unexpected bonus to the trip has me singing a favorite song by John Fogerty/CCR.  I have a grin plastered on my face as I drive to the cabin eagerly anticipating a weekend planned with a variety of fun activities.

It’s about 1pm when I turn off the county road onto the secluded lane that leads me to our cabin.  Wow!  This one is a beauty.  An attractive log style cabin tucked in the woods of the Mark Twain National Forest that sits atop a bluff(with a deck) that looks over the Big Piney River and a strikingly scenic valley.  There’s a Dogwood in full bloom by the front porch and a nearby fire pit with a generous woodpile.  This place has all the components for keeping us outdoors, but the cabin interior is also enticing.

 

Check it out here:

http://www.cabins.com/usa/mo/mo_texasco_001/mo_texasco_obriens_001.html

(The gas log fireplace and the full kitchen are just the kind of amenities my wife would enjoy for a fall or winter getaway.  And the quietude and beauty of this scenic location would certainly win her over J )

 

Daylight is burnin’ so we unpack in a hurry and then we’re off to the “Piney River Brewing Company.”  We just learned about this place only a couple of months ago.  Not surprising as they just launched their microbrewery business as recently as the summer of 2010.  We were hearing great things about their craft beers, so we were looking forward to this occasion.

 

And we weren’t disappointed!
Fresh, tasty hand crafted beers, tapped inside a rustic, beautifully restored barn out in the middle of the Ozarks near the Little Piney River, served up by people who love the Ozarks as much as we do, and it was only about a 30 minute(scenic)drive from our cabin.

 

Belly up to the BARn…

We thoroughly enjoyed all the flavor offerings; however, being huge IPA fans, we’re inclined to highlight how much we love the “Missouri Mule IPA.”
And it’s easy to fall in love with the names of their beers that pay homage to Missouri history and our favorite critters in the Ozarks.

Yeah, there’s a pleasant authenticity about these people and their distinctive hand crafted brews.

You’re going to love this place!

Go to:  http://www.pineyriverbrewing.com/home.html

 

Another post covering this late March getaway is soon to follow…

Peace on the River

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