Echo Bluff State Park and Alley Springs Mill

Last weekend, myself and a couple of friends checked out Echo Bluff State Park. It's a few hours east of Springfield, close to Eminence, Missouri. We saw wild horses (feral since the Great Depression), bald eagles, red tailed hawks, pileated woodpeckers and bluebirds. As well as signs of beavers and the shouting of screech owls and coyotes at night.

Friday was rainy, we largely hung out under a tarp by the fire. I did my best to entertain on the banjo and we ate very well. That night, a stronger storm system rolled through and we got maybe three inches of rain and about 2:30am, a possible funnel cloud roared over the hill we were camped on. There were numerous tornadoes that touched down across the region. Saturday was downright warm. It hit 70 degrees. That night was clear and the stars put on a good showing. Sunday, up and at em. One of our party had an early leave time, so we ate quickly, packed up camp and checked out Alley Springs.

A very fun weekend, in spite of the weather. Here's a little video, rather than post a ton of pics in a line.