I had a nice day out last October 5. I went to an Amish store in nearby Jamesport, about 10 miles away. Jamesport probably has the largest Amish and Mennonite population in the state of Missouri. I then decided I’d go to Crowder State Park, since I was about half way there already. I’d been there once before and thought I’d see if I could get in some hiking.

The park has a nice lake, not huge, but in a nice setting. I parked the car at the far end of the road. I found the beginning of a hiking trail behind a covered picnic table area and started off up what passes for a mountain in this part of Missouri until I ran into another trail. I later learned that this new trail is three miles long and goes all the way around the “mountain”, but I probably only did 1 1/2 to 2 miles, as I took a short cut up a paved road which intersected the trail.

The “mountain” was fully wooded and no one else was out, except I did pass a man and woman walking a dog while I was driving, but no one was on the trail. I took my time and did surprisingly well for an out-of-shape old man and just took in the scenery. I discovered a closed camping area at the end of the road, and a dirt road that led off to the side. I followed the dirt road until its end, which was an open field of harvested corn or something. I reversed directions and went back up until the road crossed the trail I started on and continued in my previous direction until I came to the lake once again.

Surprisingly, I wasn’t sore, as I hadn’t done much walking because it’s been too hot. I then went back to Jamesport and indulged in the little Mennonite buffet there, then went home. All together a nice day. I hope your day was great, too.

You’re welcome to visit my Barns! Barns! Barns! photostream in flickr where you can register for free and upload your own photos of old barns, farm houses and other farm-related items. There are currently 803 members and 7,095 photographs and growing. If you love barns, you’ll love this website!

My favorite of the photos I took of the lake

A bit of Autumn leaves overlooking the lake

This is mostly what it looked like surrounding the trail, a lot of ups and downs

I followed a dry stream bed that emptied out into the lakeand it led to this hole in the rock

This huge cross stands at the intersection of State Hwy 6 and 246 (I think), which is the turn-off point to head to the park.