Big Spring State Park MO

Big Trip in the works to kick off summer!

Hike N Float

Hike Starts here...connects through Kinnard Hollow to the Ozark Trail

40+/- miles hiking northward to Powder Mill and then jump in a canoe or kayaks and float 30+/- miles back to Big Spring. 4-6 Days depending on the Speed of a Trail Monster

Warrior's Meal

Only the stong of mind, and true of heart need tempt this fine fare.

Eat only the breasts and drink of the Delicious nectar from within.

A true warrior will arise!

GO EAT HERE!

Berryman General Store

FRENCH TOAST! OUI!


Cheesy Eggs and pig butt




Biscuts n Gravy and black coffee

Breakfast is awesome and cheap!

Lunch - Incredible Ham Sandwich with the works, or try the bologna sandwhich Perfect!


Psst...even cold beer and a picnic table and well pump.

If Yo Ass Stinks....they got showers fitycent will get ya started!
When yin's git all cleaned up, buy some stuff, be nice, and say Hi to Lenna.

Adopt-a-Trail Luvin'

Haulin' the "Boss".

"Sherpa Daddy"

Trail clearing discussion with the boss(the little one).

Trail Monster working the loppers.

"TTM" spent last weekend on Berryman/Ozark Trail doing a little deadfall clearing etc. Loved the warming temps and camping in the pines with snow on the ground. Who would think it would be 70*F with Snow in Missouri and the first weekend in February.

Sydney got to put her new wheels on the trail for the first time.
She loved it for about 10 minutes then deiced the snow was to much for the bike.

Sledin' was the most fun.
This is the new game where Daddy gets to run backwards while trying to pull Sydney down the ice/slush until the giggles are overwhelming.

"Stella" makes the perfect retreat for a midday nap when the ground is wet.

Love the quilt Mom!!!

If you like it, I know where ya can buy one.

Sassy Sisters II - Louisiana, MO 63353

(573)-754-4855

Ask for Judy and refrence "Team Trail Monsters Camping Quilt" or any other custom quilting needs/supplies.

Shameless plug for My Mom's Quilt Shop

An evening by the fire with"Stella".

Another perfect weekend for "Team Trail Monster"!

Up Next - Berryman General Store review! A must read if your in the area.

Following directions...

Who's says kids don't listen?

Syd was asked to take the dogs out to potty.

Some take it a bit further than most.


Full dress rehearsal for a rainy day.

It's 8:30 at night and 4*C and no shoes.

Her words upon return from a short stoll in the yard...."Ice is swippery."

Not scared of the dark that's for sure.

Backpacking this summer is gonna be a blast!

Team Trail Monster takes a hike.

With the weather breaking for the better we decided on a midday hike at Indian Camp Creek Park (ICCP). The plan...pack and be on the road by 10am. LOL...that never happens. We are never out before 11. So like normal we loaded Stella and hit the road by 11:30. The temp was in the upper 40's and made a climb all the way into the low 50's. Not bad by Missouri standards for January 31. Side note...Digital camera batteries Suck! Every trip I hear the dreaded beep and the flash of the title to my book "Battery Empty". So the Olympus is dead but the Sony Hcam is alive so we have some video...well at least until I dropped it into a small brook...You would think they could at least make these things splash resistant...Sure glad we bought the accident insurance, now if we can only get to Circuit City and learn about warranty procedures post store closure.

The hike started off with our lead trail monster pointing out the trail and pushing us to get moving. We actually started off in an off trail hike following a lone set of "Purple Brer Fox" tracks through the woods. At one point we heard the "Purple Brer Fox", however, he was very fast and we did not see him.

Can you name the tune in playing on the IPOD w/ speaker in the background of the video?

So on with the day and the melting woodlands along Big Creek. We saw lots of fat Robins bouncing from limb to limb along the creek edge. A big fat Red Squirrel briefly made an appearance. We made our way through the woods to the single-track and followed until we found a trail that was obviously blocked off, so we decided to keep with the theme and go off trail some more. Hopefully that trail is under construction and will open in the spring...great flowy flat sections with little dips in and around the creek bottoms. It will be fast that is for sure. The trail is less than a mile but will make a nice addition to the rest. We popped out of the woods and into a small field and followed and old double track to the blacktop and back to "Stella". We spent a about 15 minutes at the park and Sydney was sure to climb on the big concrete frog and turtle statues. Time flys when you're having fun, almost missed the departure time. We have to be in Louisiana MO at 3PM to watch Julie take the Polar Bear Plunge for Special Olypics. That video is up on my facebook along with a short video of the Trail Monster leading a short hike.

Closing skies over Annada, MO.