~Summertime~

The above photo and the one below were taken facing east at sunset.  The sun is reflecting off the clouds.

The photos, in this post, were taken over several days, during the past week.

A sailboat, in our cove, the afternoon of July 16th.

In the basket, Tuscan Peasant Bread.  We purchased the home baked bread and many other delicious foods at the Camdenton Farmer’s Market, Saturday. 

The perfectly chilled wine is Steinberg White, from Stone Hill Winery, Hermann, Missouri.  We added seasoned oil for dipping the bread and a few crackers with cheese, for a delightful lunch on the deck, Sunday.

Monday morning, we hiked down this trail.  It wasn’t a long hike, but one that could be tricky for a couple of seniors, with a nosey dog on a leash.  We managed quite well, until the mosquitoes decided it was lunch time.

The trail leads to the natural bridge in Ha Ha Tonka State Park.  We’ve visited Ha Ha Tonka many times. 

The photo, below, taken a couple of years ago, shows the castle ruins. Click the photo, for more information about Ha Ha Tonka State Park. 

The paved trail to the castle is a fairly easy climb.  There are overlooks, with amazing views. The castle ruins and story are eerily beautiful and interesting.

Looking through the trees to the natural bridge.

This is looking toward the sun dappled path, on the other side of the bridge, where the trail continues.

Molly leads the way.

She’s telling us to come on, keep up!

The trail is listed as moderate.  Good shoes are definitely needed and it might be a good idea to use a walking stick, if you are a senior, taking this .5 mile trail.  

If the mosquitoes weren’t hungry and had we had sticks, we might have continued through the bridge to finish the trail.  I have a little bit of a balance challenge, so a walking stick would be a must for me.

It was a beautiful walk.  If you are in our neck of the woods, walk a trail at Ha Ha Tonka; you won’t be disappointed.

A view of the lake, after leaving Ha Ha Tonka.

Great Blue Heron, on the same area of the lake.

Beautiful Lake of the Ozarks, from Hurricane Deck Bridge, Monday morning.

We continued our day trip, driving north on Hwy 5.

J needed a closer look at this 1963 Chevy Impala; an oldie but goodie.

From one form of transportation to another.

We stopped at Versailles, for lunch.  Versailles, in our neck of the woods, is pronounced Ver-Sales.  While we’re talking about regional pronunciation, it’s a great time to asked; how do you pronounce Missouri?

I was born and raised in southwest Missouri, J was born in the Saint Louis area.  We both pronounce the name of our fair state, Missour-ee. Other Missouri folks say, Missour-ah. 

When we were touring a home in Charleston, South Carolina, a few years ago, we were asked, by the tour guide, about the pronunciation. Everyone smiled, when J and I firmly said in unison, Missour-ee.

If you’ve read Back Porch Musings, for awhile, you know about my goal to photograph Missouri’s 114 county courthouses.  While in Versailles, I took these photos of Morgan County’s beautiful old courthouse.

Stop by Susan’s, A Southern Daydreamer, each Wednesday, for outdoor views around the land of blog.