In Search of Eagles

We have been planning a day trip to Clarksville, MO for weeks now.  But it seemed every time the weather was nice one of us was working.  So Wednesday, with the forecast of mid-30's and rain, we headed to Clarksville in search of Eagles.  Even though we were warned not to...

Wednesday morning around 5:00 I sent an email to my friend Patti at Osage Bluff Quilter that we planned on finally going to Clarksville.  She replied back that she recommended " pick another day, a lot of times antique store are closed on Monday."  Then ended her email with "Have a great Wednesdy!"  We scratched our heads at that one as we headed out the door.  (Sorry Patti, but I had to rib you a bit!)  When we got home there was an email from her about a "Senior Moment"  and that she did know it was Wednesday.  Boy do I understand those Senior moments!

It may have been cold.  It may have been spitting rain.  And yes, it was a dreary day.  It was so much fun!  There were a few Eagles to be seen when we got there, but not a lot.  So we spent time going through the many artisan shops.  Gorgeous stuff to be seen!  I didn't take my camera inside the shops, but here are some links if you want to see the one of a kind furniture. 

At the The Windsor Chair_shop, we watched the artisan stain one of the chairs he was making.  He does all of the work himself with one young lad helping him.  Special orders are backordered to September 2013! 

We also enjoyed visiting The Bent Tree Gallery, where gorgeous bent tree willow chairs, leather purses, and so many more hand made items were on display.  Stacy greeted us as she worked on one of her beautiful leather purses. 

As we headed into another shop, a guy with a camera equipped with a lense that made me drool, poked his  head in to say the Eagles were swooping where some dead fish had washed up.  What?!?!  And we are in shops?  No way.  Back outside in the misty rain we went.  And we were not disappointed. 

If you'd like to see more of our trip to Clarksville, click on the video below.

One goal down

Todays' temperatures were cool - only in the low 40's - but the day was oh so pretty.  The skies were overcast, but no rain or snow in sight. 

When we got home from Church this morning, we decided to pack a thermos of the "good coffee" (Harry & David's Moose something or other) and head out for a little Eagle watching.  Since we were basically on a Sunday afternoon drive and staying close to home, we really didn't expect to sight any. 

My insomnia had kicked in again last night, so while Jim drove, I laid my head back and closed my eyes (aka fell asleep).  I was rudely awoken with an exclamation from Jim, "There's an Eagle".  I'm sure it is!  See that white head?  That's no hawk, that's an Eagle!"  Of course by then it was too late for a photo op.  Never mind the fact that I was rubbing my eyes, adjusting to the light.  Never fear!  Jim turned that car around, hit the flashers, and rode the shoulder of the road back to the site of the sighting. 

And so today I saw my first Eagle ever!  I'm so excited!

Hey Eagle... don't you pretend you don't know I'm down here!  Gotcha!

Just because your majestic white head is the same color as the sky, I can still see you.  Yes I can!

 After harassing this guy, we headed on down the river road of Hwy 94 towards Portland, MO to walk along the Katy Trail.  We didn't go far before another Eagle took flight out of a tree above our head.  This is exciting stuff.  If you live in this area and want to walk a beautiful part of the trail, the section beginning at Portland runs parallel with the Missouri River for a long way.  I'm looking forward to seeing it in the Spring, again in the Summer and then especially in the Fall.

The Eagles perched on the trees in the photo below were on the other side of the river.  As we walked along the trail we could hear their shreik in the distance. 


Positioned ready to swoop down on fish in the Missouri River



Me taking a photo of him

Him taking a photo of me

A beautiful section of the Katy Trail - Portland, MO

We are going to go to Clarksville later this week with high hopes of seeing and getting more pictures of Eagles - the symbol of our Nation and Freedom.

Now, about HIS box.  I am curious.  What do people think might be in that box?  Any guesses?  Come on, humor me....  Make a guess!

And guess what?  I get to take Eagle watching off my goal list already!

Triangles and Eagles

I'll get to HIS BOX blog post eventually.  I will!  No, I'm not procrastinating - I just haven't done it yet.  Should I add it to my goals?  If I haven't done it by Monday, I will.  So there.


My Christmas Post included a picture of Tessa, Julie, and Alicia with iron triangles.  Chicago Lady asked what the significance was of those triangles.  Here is the story.

We moved here in 1981.  Since we had a little acreage, our children tended to wander.  So did my husband.  I was constantly yelling at them when it was time to eat - to no avail.  One year, during one of our many trips to Branson and Silver Dollar City, we decided to buy one of their iron triangles.  The one we have was made by Shad Heller. 



Iron triangle made by Shad Heller at Silver Dollar City



If you read the story, you will see he was quite a personality.  We always enjoyed visiting with him during our many visits to Branson.  Once we got the iron triangle, everyone knew that when they heard the clanging, they'd better drop what they were doing and come running.



This year for Christmas we thought it would be fun to carry on the iron triangle tradition with our kids.  So we found another personality, Osage Bluff Blacksmith, through his wife, Osage Bluff Quilter and had a triangle Christmas!    We met The Blacksmith and Ms. Quilter through our blogs, but have since found our lives are very similar.  What great friends!



Daughters, Julie and Tessa, and Daughter-in-law, Alicia, opening presents of triangles



One of my goals is to take time to go Eagle Watching.   Cheryl of The Farmer's Daughter asked where we go eagle watching.  I'm probably not the best person to ask that question of since I have never spotted an eagle.  My daughter in law was telling me last weekend that one swooped down in the front of her car while she was driving to her brother's house.  Now that would have scared me to death.  But what a thrill!

Last year we went to the Lake of the Ozarks and happened onto Willmore Lodge.  You can read that post here.  We seriously talked about returning there within the next few weeks with big ol' thermoses of coffee and the camera and hanging out on the wrap around deck.  But we've decided to try someplace else.  By the way, it is Eagles Day at the Lake of the Ozark this weekend..  For more information on places to go for the best Eagle Watching opportunity, go to the Department of Conservation's web site.

Our plan is to head towards Hannibal, MO to the little town of Clarksville.  According to their official website,

Clarksville, MO is located on Missouri Highway 79 which is part of the Great River Road and is one of the most scenic highways along the Mississippi River.  It overlooks U.S. Lock and Dam 24, providing a close vantage point to
view all river boat and barge traffic.  This City, located in Pike County, is also
one of the largest winter migrating areas for the Bald Eagle.  Clarksville is filled with artists, potters, glass blowers, jewelry designers, antique dealers, furniture makers, and specialty craftsmen.

Clarksville is on a National Scenic Byway and lies halfway between Canada and the Gulf of Mexico, halfway between Hannibal and St. Louis, MO and is near the Clarence Cannon Dam and Mark Twain Lake.  It rests at the foot of Lookout Point/Sky Lift Hill, the top of which affords an 800 square mile view of the river and valley and is one of the highest points on the Mississippi  River.

I'm lookin forward to this road trip. Is there any doubt that there will be pictures? Maybe not of Eagles, although I hope so, but pictures never the less.