Hiking in the Ozark National Forest

Our weekend started with storms, tornadoes and periods of heavy rain.  Friday evening we all perched by the back door and listened carefully to the storm tracking hoping we didn't have to get Dad down the cellar stairs. We thankfully didn't.

The heavy rains sent water and mud pouring into my studio that was once part of an old greenhouse. Saturday I cleaned up the mud. More storms were predicted but we just got a tad more rain.

Sunday cleared off and was a perfect day for Tonka and I to hike in the Ozark National Forest. We Started in Allison and headed towards Blanchard Springs and the quaint town of Fifty Six where my Dad was born.

The whole trail is 14 miles and the section we hiked is almost five.

The trail started out at a creek crossing but the water wasn't too high. I carried my boots and waded barefoot. Wildflowers were everywhere. The wild iris and the Indian pinks are my favorites.

Trotter Hollar was a great place to stop for lunch. The recent rain made for a spectacular waterfall.

Tonka looks around after he is convinced all the summer sausage is gone.He surprised me by eating trail mix.

That tree on the bluff and the height of the waterfall.... heavenly.

A shelter bluff, one of many in the area and great place to take cover during storms.

We didn't do the whole section because we had to turn around and come back. Tonka carried a pack the whole 7 or 8 miles we hiked. He was tired. I kept him on a leash most of the time, an option that didn't work very well for either one of us. He stays close off lead but freaks outs a bit and won't come if he hears humans. We'll work on that. Summer sausage is probably the answer.

We met a friend at a restaurant with a patio and Tonka got his first dining out experience. He was a perfect gentleman and enjoyed his cheeseburger.