Cory and Joe were itching to get together and get out for an overnight. Cory had suggested one of our favorite areas, Johnson Shut Ins. There are many trails to do in this area including a great section of the Ozark Trail, it's rugged and beautiful. When a date was set I suggested I bring the RV as a base to eat and get warm if needed. Besides I am old and even sleeping in the RV when the temperature outside is around 8-20 degrees sounded great. That went over well and after sorting out times and meal plans it was set. Of course given Missouri weather we had gotten another brief but powerful sleet/snow storm just one day before, so the roads around my house were not in the best shape when I went to get the RV. Fortunately the snow was pretty local to the western part of St Louis and after only about 20 miles the snow was gone and it promised to be a beautiful weekend.
I got down to Johnson Shut In's campground around 2 pm and set up. The guys were not expected till around 6pm. I was the only one in the entire campground for many hours and then after that only about 5 additional campsites were occupied over the weekend.
The Sun started to set and I walked the campground loops with no one around but me. It turned into a beautiful day.
Cory and Joe arrived arrived between 6 and 7 and I had brats and rice with salad. There was lots of great beers, wine and whisky and as always the conversation started to flow until midnight.
The next morning Cory made breakfast burritos before we hit the trail
We decided to head up the hill to the Ozark Trail/Goggins Mountain overlook and then head about a mile north on the OT to a great waterfall that crosses the trail. With the rain and snow in the last week, we knew the cascades would be beautiful
It turned into a fantastic day with perfect weather for walking and bluebird skies.
The view from the overlook never disappoints
The three amigos spending some time outside.
The morning sun made for long shadows as I look North on the Ozark Trail
Arriving at cascades where the water crosses over the trail
It was running well and sounded fantastic as it moved along the rocks and fell down the cascades
The constant splash of the water makes ice dams and covers some of the overhanging foliage, covering them in a layer of ice. The lichen and moss that grow in the constant water are a vibrant green standing out from the brown of late winter
A little waterfall lower down the cascades
Ice formations in the splash zone!
Cory just enjoying the quiet and sunshine 6 miles later and back at the RV, time for lunch and more beers
charcuterie board with all the trimmings to go with our beers The sky looked fantastic in a deep blue of the afternoon
Joe decided to be in his hammock for tonight, or maybe it was just an excuse for a nap! Started a fire in the afternoon and ran it all evening as well
It was homemade Lasagna from Joe tonight with an excellent red wine. We didn't last as long as we did the night before having had fresh air, exercise and entirely too much to drink. However before bed I managed a decent sky shot of the constellation Orion hanging over the RV. The next morning, with some of us having just a bit of a headache, we had homemade breakfast biscuits thanks to Cory and like every morning freshly ground and brewed coffee, each of us using our preferred method. Cory was trying a portable camping pour over filter holder, myself with the Hario switch and Joe with the Aeropress. This was all great fun, but soon the guys were packed up to head home and I was last to breakdown the RV and hit the road. It was a super couple of days with the guys and something I think we all needed. Thanks Cory and Joe.
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