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The Back Way January 1999 | ||
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| December 1998 | By Cathy Sullens | February 1999 |
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1/1/99 Happy New Year! Just starting to snow as we head out the driveway. Going West on Hwy 54, the Grand Glaize branch of the Lake of the Ozarks is calm as we cross Grand Glaize Bridge. Christmas lights still dot the marina's along the bridge. Drove through Osage Beach with it's population of 2,585. Holiday travelers are heading home, it's 8:42 a.m. and 21 degrees outside. Drove through Linn Creek population of 232 and on to Camdenton and crossed the Niangua Branch of the Lake of the Ozarks. The water is a green color and foggy along the frozen coves. Heading on towards Macks Creek - population, 272. This town was famous for it's speed trap. You do still have to slow down as you drive through. The clouds are all gray and the weatherman on the radio is calling for snow. Imagine that! A really pretty gray hawk dives into the ditch by the roadside, he caught his prey. It's starting to rain as we near the town on Preston - population 154 at the Jct. of Hwy. 54/65. The road crews have already added salt on the highway as sleet is now coming down. Heading West towards Hermitage. Caught up with the state highway truck up ahead of us spreading the salt. Vehicles are crawling along. The road is getting very icy. Headed North on Hwy 83, checking our map to find Hwy T. All the road is white with ice and freezing rain still coming down. The lone driver of another car waves to us as we turned onto State Hwy T. The sign says we are entering St. Clair County as we turned right onto Hwy TT. So glad to see that the salt is on the road here, too. Came out onto Hwy 13 and had a real nice visit with Kathy at the Trade Fair Mall. It's a GREAT store with friendly service! At every intersection, people are out of their vehicles getting their windshield wipers thawed out so they'll work. It's really coming down! Met another Hwy Department truck going South. Too bad we're going North! Looks unusual to see the sleet blowing sideways across the road. Crossed Big Otter Creek, it's frozen and the ground and sides of the road is getting whiter. Coming across big clumps of ice/snow all over the road. Looks strange to see Truman Lake frozen on top. Big construction cranes sit idle at Deepwater Arm of Truman Lake. The passenger side window is all frozen over and it's getting extremely windy. The South Grand Arm of Truman Lake is all frozen, too. The trees frozen in the lake look really strange. Is this Missouri or Siberia? Made it to the city of Clinton, Missouri. The streets are solid white with sleet and ice. Driving is extremely treacherous. Good thing my Darlin' is an experienced, safe driver. Stopped by The Emporium Flea Market, they have more sense than us, they stayed home today! ha Heading back East onto Hwy 7, crossing Deer Creek. Even the deer know better and are all staying safe today! Car giving us trouble and won't go out of second gear. Crossed the Osage Arm of Truman Lake, sleet pelting the car. The Lake is truly awesome looking. The Hitchin' Post was not open, either. Left update information at their door. Will come back to do their update in nicer weather. Came across a van turned onto it's side off the road. No one inside, guess they've already made it to safety. The accumulation is adding up. Into Morgan County and following the snow plow. The closer we get to home, the darker the sky. Oh, no, the plow turned around and headed back. We're on our own. Our little Buick is plowing the way home. I've never seen such a wonderful site as our home, smoke coming out the chimney and our children greeting us. Thank you Lord, we're glad to be able to come home the back way. 1/4/99 Well, getting the car out of the driveway was an accomplishment! Our wonderful children had shoveled the snow yesterday after the snow plow went by and my Darlin' and Robin had made us tracks to drive in or we wouldn't have gotten out! The world is a beautiful white. Everything sparkles in the sunshine. On down the road, patches of ice and snow as we head to Hwy 54 West. Down to Lake Ozark and the HUGE piles of snow look like limestone slabs, great igloo material! On down to slide into the Osage Beach Post Office and heading East on up to Hickory Hill. A word of caution at the Hwy FF/Hwy 54 junction - be very afraid. Some cars are crawling, mostly 4 wheel drives are out and about. Wasn't sure if Hickory Hill Antiques was open or not. Their sign was on, but when we got out and headed towards the door, there were no foot prints in the snow. Part of the parking lot had been cleaned off, but the ice to the door was frozen solid! It was a chunk! We didn't even leave a footprint either! Walked in to see Diane! Had a GREAT visit and did the update and got some great pictures. She's really enjoying being on e-bay and we always talk computer stuff. Met dealers from there and gave them a brochure and they read the feature article about JCAD. They are on-line, too! It's a winter wonderland! I love snow! It makes everything look picture perfect. It's very cold out, 10 degrees maybe, but not windy. If you bundle up good, you can stay out for a little while! Always good in Missouri to carry wintertime supplies in your vehicle, blanket, extra clothes, extra coats, plenty of water and some chocolate/nuts to get you through. Luckily, we made it home and tonight the full moon shines down as the smoke curls up from the woodstove flu. We made it again, the back way and back home. 1/6/99 Sunshine as we slide out the tracks in our driveway and out on the highway. Big piles of plowed snow everywhere on Hwy 54. A big plow sits idle beside a driveway. The highway is wet but not icy at the moment. Crossing Wright's Creek and Blue Spring Creek heading into Lakeland, Missouri, population 351 and Lake Ozark, population 741. Crossed the beautiful Osage River. Crazy drivers...seems they come to the beach and leave their driving skills and manners at home. 46 degrees out as we turn left and head down Hwy 42. Come across a white car off in the ditch--no one in it. Guess they are safely home. Hwy 42 is a driving challenge in good weather! Crossed Spring Branch, all is a white winter wonderland. Through Iberia, still on Hwy 42 East, crossed Kenser Creek. Sure is pretty with the sunshine on the snow covered hills. Listening to a Rush CD and cruising on down the road. Blue skies, crossed Greasy Creek and entered Maries County from Miller County. Went across Little Tavern Creek's new bridge and turned right at the Jct. onto Hwy 133 South towards Crocker. Turkey barns and silos dot the fields. The cows huddle together under the trees for warmth. Spectacular view! Crossed Little Maries River and you can see for miles and miles!! Crossed into Pulaski county and turned left onto C Hwy headed for Dixon, Missouri, population 1585. Right onto Elm Street and visited with Michelle at Dream House Dolls. A world of Barbie! On down to visit with Two Old Broads Antiques! Great visit, updates and photo's. Heading home the back way! 1/7/99 Made it out the driveway again! Funny, but with this weather, we're so proud to be able to get out and about! East on Hwy 52, all the ice piled beside the roads in frozen clumps, some as tall as cars. The hillsides that got some sunshine yesterday have thawed a lot. Around 10 degrees this morning, gray sky, clouds are really high in the sky. Made it into the town of Eldon, Missouri, population 4,419. Crossed Moreau Creek, traffic is picking up as we near the City of Jefferson, which is Missouri's capitol. The road sure is wet, still ice in between the lanes. Just enough to spatter on your windshield. Neighorn Branch, took exit into Jefferson City to get to a car wash. Too much salt and nasty roads. Wonderful Darlin' braved the cold to get the car clean. All is white as we cross the Missouri River. Ice covering the top of the river. Looks like clouds floating by. Taking Hwy 94 towards Mokane. The limestone bluffs are beautiful with a covering of snow. Crossed Neiman Branch, the Katy Trail is quiet and snow covered. All the bottom lands are beautiful in the winter landscape. Hwy 94 still has snow, paths in the road, just tracks on either side. Wainwright and Rivaux Creek are both frozen. All the big pieces of farm equipment sit idle in the sheds. All is white as far as you can see. Seeing many signs for the Lewis and Clark trail. Town of Tebbetts is all quiet. Hillers Creek is frozen over. Middle River has spots of thawed water you can see. The road is slick and snowy, some side roads have no tracks. A frozen world. No one at Mokane Public Fishing Access. Mokane, Missouri, population 186. Crossed East Wing creek, see funny looking clouds. It's the cooling down of the Nuclear reactor. Auxvasse Creek is frozen and the roads are more frozen than ever. East Highway 94 is slick! All we meet driving are 4 wheel drive trucks. Portland is hilly and slick. We crossed the Eagle Creek. Bluffton is absolutely gorgeous. The views are lovely! The bluffs on the left are magnificent! Always reminds me of New Mexico. The wind is now picking up and getting colder. Welcome to Rhineland, Missouri, population 157. A red squirrel sure stands out running across the white snow. The bright red door shines on the church on the hill. Made it to Loutre River and Loutre Market. Turned South onto Hwy 19 coming to the bridge to cross the Missouri River. So glad they worked on this bridge earlier this year. Big chunks of ice are floating in the Missouri River. Seems like lilypads across the river. Glad to see the town of Hermann, Missouri. Had a GREAT visit with Pete at Pete's Plunder Antiques. He has 2 unique stores. I really like his taste in furniture and we always enjoy the visit. 1/11/99 Cold out, but the sun is trying to shine. Off we go on the back way to Hwy 54 East. Huge piles of the ice the snow plows have stacked up everywhere. Wonderful Darlin' washed the car in Eldon and on up to Hwy 87 North. Two horses running and playing in the field, feeling frisky this morning. Winter wonderland, cows busy munching on round bales of hay. Fields are beautiful and all white. Crossed Burris Fork Creek and Moreau Creek, both are still frozen. Made it into California, Missouri, population 3,465. A red squirrel darts across the road. Kliever community is all quiet. Moniteau Creek is still frozen solid. Entered Jamestown, Missouri, population 317. Off on Hwy 179 North and crossed the frozen Splice Creek. Woodridge, Missouri, population 54 has the Baptist church steeple shining in the sunshine. Turned left and climbing the hill, what a lot of snow! Onto I-70, the Missouri River still has chunks of ice floating. Off on Hwy BB, Exit 115 for Rocheport and arrived at Missouri River City Antiques. On off to Boonville, Missouri, population 7,075. Had quite the adventure doing the update for Your Money's Worth! She sure named that place right! Met some interesting dealers there. Took Hwy 5 coming back home. Ravenwood House gates are open. The red brick structure looks majestic against the white snow, Hanna Cole roadside park offers picnic tables and a great view for all that stop. Hey! You can see the black dirt peeking through the snow. We have sunshine and 37 degrees! Seems like a heat wave! Beautiful snow drifts are sculptured by nature along the roadsides. Turned left onto Hwy 50/55 East through Tipton, Missouri, population 2,026. Willow Fork Creek area, you can see the snow thawing and sliding off the building tops. All is white and quiet in Fortuna. Hwy 52 East through Versailles and on into Barnett, Missouri, population 215. Moreau Creek is thawing out and we're heading through Eldon, population 4,419. Headed towards home, glad to have made it home the back way. 1/17/99 Everything is slippery and wet. Ice is melting and as we crossed Wrights Creek on Hwy 54, the creek is running again. Foggy down by the Osage River, the river is really low. Seems strange the campground along the bank of the river is empty. 51 degrees at 10:00 a.m. The Lake of the Ozarks is the same blue/gray as the sky. The sky is getting darker as we head west. Stopped for gas and for Darlin' to wash all the mud/salt off the car. That's an everyday thing lately. Linn Creek, Missouri, population 232 and the Linn Creek is running with snow on the banks. Into Camdenton, population 2,561 and on to Macks Creek, population 272. The white water tower shines above the forest of hardwoods. The coves of the river are frozen and at Niangua Bridge, fog is rolling off the ice in the coves. Looks really freaky. The golf course is patches of brown and white. Heading South on Hwy 73 at the flashing yellow light. A wild turkey just crossed the road in front of us! Driving through the community of Tunas, all is quiet. Trying a new road for us today. Hwy 64, nice 2 lane road. An old 2 story oak barnboard house catches our eye. The house has all new windows, someone's project for 1999? It will be beautiful again. Several of the ponds are thawing, new houses going up all around. Louisburg, population 115, nice little town. Crossed Hwy 65 and see that the First Baptist Church is full of morning worshipers. Entering Polk County. Community of Rimby, saw pigs and goats of all size and colors. Crossed Lindley Creek, all thawed out. Turned left onto State Hwy D. Old, new and remodeled farms dot the landscape. Came to the community of Polk, has a post office and a store! Saw an abandoned brick school house, has 1952 on the front. Section after section of hay fields and fertile farmland. This road makes for a really pretty ride. In the community of Huron, a white arch bridge in front of a house catches my eye. The sun has been trying to break through the gray clouds all day. Pomme de Terre River is running with whitecaps going over the rocks! A beautiful blue/green river and you can see the bottom. Quite the view! Hear the sounds of honking and see the geese flying overhead! Into the city of Bolivar, Missouri, population 6,845. Turned right onto Hwy 32 and on through town. Turned left onto Hwy T. A lot of new construction, houses and businesses. Turned South on Hwy 13 and going to Country Classics Antiques and Flea Market. See the billboard, the store is 4 miles ahead. Had a GREAT visit with Sharon and Larry. They have a wonderful store and many, many vintage cars and trucks, Mustangs, Chevrolets, you'll just have to come see. When you do come visit, make sure you drive "The Back Way!" 1/25/99 Cloudy out but the ice has thawed. Highway 54 West to Highway 52. West on 52 toward Eldon, population 4,419. Huge piles of ice have turned black but still not thawed out. Look like small mountains. Two DOT sitting beside the road. Had to detour and go back and get the camera. Glad Darlin' thought of it a few miles from home. I would have remembered in Clinton! Back to the house, children have gone to gym class. Behind the rolls of gray clouds you glimpse patches of baby blue sky, the sun is trying to peek thru. Put on my seat belt before we go back west on Hwy 52. DOT heaven. OK, just head East on Hwy 54. Solved that problem! Wrights Creek is thawed and running. Looking busy at Barkers Carvings. They make unique chainsaw sculptures. Husband/Wife team. Stop by and see 'em. Right on Hwy 54. Mud along the highway--hey, the sunshine came out! How wonderful! The Osage River is up and chocolate brown. Got gasoline for 79.9 Wonderful Darlin' is out washing the car. Looks nice and sunny, but that wind is cold. Like it's off the North Pole! Nice and warm here in the car. I must say how much I appreciate all my Darlin' does. This time of year our power washer is no use to us. So we spend many a day and many a quarter at the car wash. Used the one off Business 54 beside the race track. GREAT place to entertain the family while you're here at the Lake of the Ozarks. "Castle Rock Mini Golf, Arcade and Race Track". Down to Jct. HH/MM, took MM to the right on the toll bridge to Sunrise Beach. The Lake is beautiful this morning. Quite the view from the new bridge. We always stop to enjoy the view awhile! Paid the $1.50 and away we go! They do give a dollar discount for "off season". Turned left taking Hwy 5 South. Crossed the Osage Branch of Lake of the Ozarks. Sparkling green water shimmers in the sunshine. Down to the town of Greenview. Beside Kerr's Country Mart grocery store (GREAT store!), we turned right onto Hwy 7 North. All the fields have soaked up the melted ice. Cows lazily chew on the big bales of hay. Fiery Fork conservation Area turns off on our left. Jct. 7/Z "Save your Junk" Flea Market. Will be back to visit with them! Unique rocks form entrance to someone's farm. Crossed the low water bridge, Turkey Creek looking good! Construction going on at Warsaw South Elementary School. Turned Right onto Hwy 65. Crossed Lake of the Ozarks Osage River, exit for Harry S. Truman State Park and Visitor's Center. We'll stop on another trip and show take pictures for the Back Way! Crossed Truman Dam. Pecan Grove RV/Trailer Park has HUGE, majestic pecan trees. Back onto Hwy 7 North and 12 miles to Tightwad, population 50. Crossed Osage Arm of Truman Lake. The limestone bluffs are beautiful gray/tan against the blue water and blue sky. Long Shoal Park turns off to the right. Had a good visit with Charlie at Hitchin' Post. Their store sure is growing! Off we go towards Clinton and a hawk flies across in front of us. Crossed Deer Creek and into Clinton, population 8,703. At the red light, stayed West on Hwy 18/7. Turned left on Green Street by the library. (real nice library!) crossed the railroad tracks then thru 4 way stop. On down to Emporium Flea Mall. Had a nice visit with Barbara and Tom got there before we left. Wonderful store, great items. Took Hwy 7 South to Hwy C. A new road for us. Crossed Tebo Arm of Truman Lake. The lake level is down, trees everywhere, looks so unusual. Crossed Barker Arm of Truman Lake, water is running. Lincoln, MO, population 864, came in on West Main Street. Turned left at the blinking red light onto Hwy 65. Changed drivers, took Hwy 65 to Hwy 52 to Cole Camp, population 1, 054 and on into Versailles. Followed Hwy 52 to head the back way home! |
| December 1998 | The Back Way | February 1999 |
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