Outdoor Adventures in the Ozarks

       It was two weeks ago today the storm everyone on social media called ‘Snowmageddon’ hit about half the country, judging by the amount of snow we got (only 6-7 inches) it didn’t even come close to ‘Armageddon’ proportions.   But the cold lasted up until a couple days ago, today with predicted highs near 70° it’s time to get back outdoors and go hiking.   Also on social media lately there has been a lot of ‘chatter’ about Subway Tunnel, so I’m going to check it out. on the Subway      Not far after leaving the house I realize I didn’t bring my water shoes or a flashlight, that along with patches of snow still pretty much everywhere I begin talking myself out of going into the tunnel.   I even consider ‘plan B’ but in the end I make it down Parker Ridge Road to the trailhead at forest road 92735A.   I’m going hiking regardless, maybe I’ll make it into the tunnel or maybe I won’t. scattered parking off Parker Ridge Rd. ORV trail...

     When I head out this morning I have just a loose plan as to where I’m going today.  The ‘plan’ is to hike along some more of the bluffs above the Little Buffalo River west of Wayton, but since the condition of the forest roads is unknown I’ll leave the final destination open until I get in the area.  I have been in this area of amazing bluffs twice before, see ( 158 Dog Branch Bluffs and 166 Bluffs of Haunt Hollow ) for those adventures. high above the Little Buffalo River      Leaving the pavement I head west on gravel NC 8583 this road is in great shape to start, it gets a little narrow after about a mile.  After curving to the north the road’s still in good condition, I have no problem driving all the way to Rich Cemetery on a hill top, where I park.  There are a bunch of forest roads all around the cemetery with lots of pull-out  parking spots, so take your pick parking isn’t an issue. Rich Cemetery      R...

     Here it is a new year, how time flies I swear the older I get the faster time goes by.  My wife says that it’s because I forget half of everything that happens, maybe she’s on to something.  I know one thing, so far this winter has been a roller-coaster ride : one week is cold the next it’s hot.  Today we’re back to hot so naturally I’m going hiking.  I drive down to Woolum on the Buffalo River, with a plan. Boat Hole on the beautiful Buffalo      On the south side of Pindall is N. Woolum Road, ever since S. Woolum Road was closed I think it was five years ago, this is the way to go.  My plan is to ford the Buffalo River at the new Woolum ford then east over to Richland Creek and hike the Ozark Highlands/Buffalo River Trail up to the white convertible on the trail where we turned around a few years ago (see: 106 Dave Manes Bluff ) .  Well, you know what they say about ‘ plans of mice and men’ . dead-end road to Boat Hol...