Camping Gear, Zero Plans, & Missouri Highways

Updated: Aug 8, 2021

It's that time of year again, camping season. We took off for the long holiday weekend, Labor Day, without any reservations and decided to see where the back roads of Missouri would take us. Normally we wouldn't camp before now, it's way to warm, but the temperatures were going to be in our favor. The morning started off rainy but a few hours East and the sunshine decided to grace the sky.

As we made our way on Hwy 50, we decided to take a small detour to Hermann to grab a bite to eat at the local park there. Nothing better than a sandwich, chips and and an ice cold Banquet to satisfy a person. We needed to stretch our legs anyway and let Lola run around. Southbound on Hwy 19, we figured we had better decide where we wanted to set up camp for the evening. A quick google search in the Mark Twain National Forest led us to Red Bluff Campground. We had no idea if any spots would be available but took the chance. We drove up the park and actually found the perfect location. It was a smaller campsite but had some amazing views and a crystal clear creek running right across from where we landed. The BF made a quick run to talk to the camp host and I started setting up camp.

It was time to cool off, which meant a quick change into our bathing suits before heading to Huzzah Creek. The water was running and the temperature was perfect. The rocky bottom creek ranged in depths anywhere from 6 inches to maybe a foot, so it was great for wading and letting Lola cool off. As we made our way further down the creek, I was trailing behind; flip-flops are a bit of a challenge when wading. Never did I think I would look down into the perfect clear water to see a snake, popping it's head out of the rocks staring at me...you can imagine my reaction. Screaming, jumping, trying to run to shore, and avoiding the snake, all while trying to keep my shoes on without falling down. Picture that, you are welcome. It took me a minute to catch my breath before I realized there was one way back to camp, crossing the creek. I made the other two lead the way, and I followed closely behind.

After getting the fire started, we prepared dinner which consisted of Teriyaki Rice with grilled tomatoes, onions, and avocado. A night of card games was the perfect way to end the evening before hitting the tent and starting to read Hatchet, a wilderness survival novel by Gary Paulsen. I definitely recommend it.

The next morning we made a breakfast scramble of eggs, potatoes, and bacon; a few cups of hot tea, and a few hours of enjoying the crisp air before packing up and heading on our way to the next destination, which at this point, was still unknown. We would take off through Mark Twain National Forest and just drive; which lead us to some unexpected destinations before finding our home for the rest of the weekend.