I would like to share? A wonderful location in Missouri, USA that is a wonderful place to visit, camp, hike…......just view and BREATH!
It is a park called West Bend National Park…located in Weston, Missouri. A fairly small park by most standards by lots of beauty to be seen. I go often to find mushrooms, reptiles, mammals, birds, footprints, fossils….....just to hike, swim, camp…..whatever.
I took my son there yesterday as it’s not too far of a drive for me. We hiked one trail that goes thru-out the riverbluffs that overlook the Missouri River. One of the photos I posted recently shows a view of this beautiful river that flows right by.
At this time of year being spring, there was sooo much to see! We were able to find 9 different varieties of mushroom/fungi…..birds of all sorts from several cardinals to a brownheaded cowbird to hearing some canadian geese trumpeting in some of the lower areas of the park.
We’ve often found foot prints belonging to what we believe is a black bear, have heard the call of bobcats and last night we were gifted with being able to watch a skunk out for his nightly forage.
There is a beautiful spot in the ‘mushroom bottoms’ (what I like to call the area) that has a creek/small waterfall/pool that my son and I enjoy swimming and hiking. I’ve found large snapping turtles there climbing the creek to lay eggs from up the river as well as scared many turkey as they searched for food in that area.
Durring all/every season of the year…mushrooms/fungi can be found…especially in the ‘flood zone’ along the river area. Last year alone I was able to photograph over 300+ varieties with at least 100 identified as being possible edibles.
It’s a quiet park…with a biking/hiking trail…....very enjoyable and just a wonderful place to go alone or bring a family to enjoy picnicking or even the camping that is allowed.
I’m not mentioning many of the things as I’m sure u don’t want to sit here and read all day long…but hope I gave some information that would be enjoyable for some people.
Scott Robertson, 3 days ago
Thankyou so much for this writing. Sounds like an awesome place to spend some time and enjoy the true nature within the park.
SauriaMami in reply to Scott Robertson’s comment, 3 days ago
I forgot to put in there? that’s it’s free also!
thank you for reading and the comment Scott…it’s a wonderful little hop off the main road to Kansas City