The Falls on Shoal Creek - Joplin MO

Moving back to the stomping grounds of my youth has sent me on an odyssey of sorts. This weekend I took a visiting friend to see Shoal Creek. Grand Falls (locally known as simply The Falls) is located in the southern part of Joplin. 
It is the largest, continuously flowing natural waterfall in Missouri, Grand Falls plunges 25 feet to a solid ledge before flowing further south.
The cascading waters provided the energy for Joplin's first electrical power plant. Constructed on the site in the 1890's, in 1903 Grand Falls Park was further developed and featured a theater, boat houses, a German Village, and a dance pavilion.  Missouri Pacific had established a rail spur to the power plant and offered hourly round trip tickets to Joplin's best known tourist attraction. 
Today you can only see the remains of one of the power plant's cement walls. It stands abandoned on the west side of the waterfall. The dam itself still stands and spans the entire width of the river right above the natural falls.

Driving along Shoal Creek reminded me of the hours I spent playing, swimming, and floating in its waters. It brought back to mind some very good memories from my childhood.

I remember my parents waking my siblings and me up early on a weekend morning. We'd pile sleepily into the car and off we'd head to the river. As the sun rose, burning the strands of lacy fog off the water, we kids explored the rocky, gravel bar. We overturned rocks looking for crawdads, skipped stones, and  waded while my parents fixed breakfast over a campfire.
Mouthwatering scents of bacon and eggs would drift to us over the more pungent scents of river, fish, and vegetation. 

More memories. Floating down the river fishing with my dad. Once he generously attached his favorite lure, a red and white Lazy Ike, to my rod and reel. I felt so honored. It wasn't on my line for an hour before I made a cast right as our little, flat-bottomed, aluminum boat entered a set of rapids. Of course, were talking my luck here, the lure caught on an overhanging tree limb.Spun and wrapped around tight. 
Dad frantically tried to row back against the current all the while trying to jerk the line (and his Lazy Ike) free. 

Let's just say it was one of the only times I ever heard my dad cuss. In penitence, for many years I bought him a red and white Lazy Ike every holiday.

I remembered the times the river flooded. Swollen beyond belief. Getting little peeks of 'the castle' near Redings Mill after the autumn leaves fell to expose it. Going on picnics along Shoal Creek with my first real boyfriend. Watching Fourth of July fireworks at McClelland Park, located on the hillside above the falls. 

I laughingly rambled on about these things to my friend. Pointed out different areas as I recalled little anecdotes. She listened patiently.

And I realized how glad I was to see people still using the place. Swimming, fishing, and walking along the river, making memories.

Vampire In The Scrying Glass

VAMPIRE IN THE SCRYING GLASS

 

 

 

Will be released this Halloween. You've been warned.

The Falls on Shoal Creek - Joplin MO

Moving back to the stomping grounds of my youth has sent me on an odyssey of sorts. This weekend I took a visiting friend to see Shoal Creek. Grand Falls (locally known as simply The Falls) is located in the southern part of Joplin. 
It is the largest, continuously flowing natural waterfall in Missouri, Grand Falls plunges 25 feet to a solid ledge before flowing further south.
The cascading waters provided the energy for Joplin's first electrical power plant. Constructed on the site in the 1890's, in 1903 Grand Falls Park was further developed and featured a theater, boat houses, a German Village, and a dance pavilion.  Missouri Pacific had established a rail spur to the power plant and offered hourly round trip tickets to Joplin's best known tourist attraction. 
Today you can only see the remains of one of the power plant's cement walls. It stands abandoned on the west side of the waterfall. The dam itself still stands and spans the entire width of the river right above the natural falls.

Driving along Shoal Creek reminded me of the hours I spent playing, swimming, and floating in its waters. It brought back to mind some very good memories from my childhood.

I can remember my parents waking my siblings and me up early on a weekend morning. We'd pile sleepily into the car and off we'd head to the river. As the sun rose, burning the strands of lacy fog off the water, we kids explored the rocky, gravel bar. We overturned rocks looking for crawdads, skipped stones, and  waded while my parents fixed breakfast over a campfire.
Mouthwatering scents of bacon and eggs would drift to us over the more pungent scents of rive, fish, and vegetation. 

More memories. Floating down the river while fishing with my dad. Once my dad generously attached his favorite lure, a red and white Lazy Ike, to my rod and reel. I remember feeling so honored. I don't think I had it on my line for an hour before casting right as our little, flat-bottomed, aluminum boat entered a set of rapids. Of course the lure caught on an overhanging tree limb. Dad frantically tried to row against the current while trying to jerk my line free. 
Let's just say it was one of the only times I ever heard my dad cuss and I bought him a red and white Lazy Ike every holiday for many years after.


I remembered different times the river flooded, swollen beyond belief. Getting little peeks of 'the castle' near Redings Mill when the leaves were off the trees. Going on picnics along Shoal Creek with my first real boyfriend. Watching Fourth of July fireworks at McClelland Park, located on the hillside above the falls. 

I laughingly rambled on about these things to my friend. Pointed out different areas as I recalled little anecdotes and she listened patiently.

And I realized how glad I was to see people there swimming, fishing, and walking along the river. I was happy the area was still popular. Still in use. That more memories were being made.

VAMPIRE IN THE SCRYING GLASS

Is set to come out on Halloween.

You've been warned.

The Meandering Mind of REMullins: Beautiful, mystical Sedona. I finally got the ch...

The Meandering Mind of REMullins:

Beautiful, mystical Sedona. I finally got the ch...: Beautiful, mystical Sedona. I finally got the chance to visit this summer with my daughter and it was more and less than what I expected...

Beautiful, mystical Sedona. I finally got the chance to visit this summer with my daughter and it was more and less than what I expected. 
This, however, was entirely my fault. 
I couldn't be satisfied with the gorgeous scenery.
You see, I'd read about ley lines and vortexes and couldn't wait to hike out to one. I imagined myself standing right over the mystical spot.
Okay, my imagination took things a bit further. I saw myself with arms lifted in supplication to the earth spirits as a sense of healing and renewal filled me. I'd stand Marilyn Monroe style over a crevice in the ground. Or in a circle of stone. There would be some finite location - X marks the spot type thing. 
I'd be wearing a long white robe, my hair flowing in the breeze. In my head I would be at least fifteen pounds lighter. Skin a little tighter. Boobs a little firmer. Maybe a crown of flowers would encircle my head. Earth child returning to her Mother.
Was I ever disappointed to learn there wasn't a designated spot. The entire region is the vortex. You are left to find what you will. 
My mind balked, completely revolted it wouldn't be all mapped out for me.
My daughter and I hiked up into Bell Rock and as I walked I could hear faint musical notes. Was this my totem spirit guiding me? No it was a man with long, grey hair sitting on top of a spiral of red rock blowing spa music on his Indian-style flute. Cynicism took over causing me to sneer, "the park probably pays him to come out and play for the tourists."
The steep climb left me a little breathless so we sat on an outcropping shaded by a scrub tree. There was a slight cooling breeze, the music wove around, the vista was breathtaking. I felt a deep sense of serenity.
It was no different from the peace that fills me sitting next to a lake or stream. I've felt the same calm contentment at the beach or working in a flower garden. 
Perhaps that's the power of the vortex. Or, more likely, it shows that mental healing can be found anytime we slow our lives enough to allow our hearts to open.
Rested, peaceful, we headed back. Reaching the parking lot we discovered a couple studying the trail map. The man stopped us with a perplexed look.
"Where exactly is this vortex located?"
I laughed and left my daughter to explain.

 

Packing Messes With My Mind

Packing for an extended vacation does a number on my head. Too many variables to consider with my current itinerary. Drive to son in Colorado. Stay a few days before flying to Arizona to stay with daughter. (We'll be visiting Sedona, Yea) Fly back to Colorado. Stay with son until his vacation starts. Drive back to Missouri.
All this equals being gone over three weeks.

This necessitates shutting up house in during a Missouri summer. Research is needed. How high can I leave AC to ensure plants don't die? Remember to put plants in bathtub filled with several inches of water. Then make the sign of the cross over them. You probably won't see them alive again.

Print off map as I still don't have GPS.

Arrange for mowing. Three weeks means at least 3 cuts. Factor in all the rain we've been getting. At least 4 mows at $35. a whack. Good price but still...ouch.

Lay out all the things I think I'll need on guest bed. Add and subtract items. Decide to try everything on. Uh-ho, seems I've put on a bit of weight since last summer. Modeling bathing suit in front of mirror causes it to crack. 

Ruthlessly limit amount of garments. I can wash and re-wear everything. I don't need all that...but then again I like a selection. What if, after I get there, I decide I don't want to wear these particular tops. This sundress. What if I really wanted this one or that. Now do I have to add any particular shoes for any particular outfit? Hiking shoes, wading shoes, pool-side shoes, dancing shoes, comfy shoes, and this pair because they're so cute and I never get a chance to wear them. 

Remember bachelor son only has one bed in his house. Even though I know he'll offer it to me...better take my own bedding and air mattress. 

Going to make cookies to take to him. Don't have eggs. For some reason driving a few blocks to store seems too much of a hassle. I'll just pack the rest of the ingredients and bake them there. They'll be better fresh anyway. And I still have best high altitude chocolate chip cookie recipe in the world.

Cooler in Colorado - add long pants and light sweater. Hades hot in Arizona - remember strapless bra for halter top.

Wash everything. Can't fit everything in the suitcase. No worries, I'll just grab another. There's room in the car...isn't that why I got the little suv? For all the room. I'll consolidate down to one bag in Colorado before flying out to Arizona. Leave surplus at son's. Problem solved.

Oh, wait. I also need to pack 20lb bag of dog food. He'll need his dishes, bed, doggy toothbrush, treats, leash...He'll remain with son while I'm with daughter. Good plan. Saves tons on boarding and have never found a place where dog hasn't come out looking crazed. 

Trunk loaded, items spilling into the backseat.

I've got one problem. Turning around my eyes meet those of my 100lb furball. He is looking at me as if to say, "You've got to be kidding. What's this? Think I'm traveling economy? I need more leg space than that."

He's right. At eight years, this part Golden Retriever, St. Bernard, Shepherd, Burmese Mountain Dog, Beagle, Border Collie deserves first class accommodations. 

I go back to the drawing board. Try to imagine I'm playing a game of Tetris as I rearrange. Straight piece here. Cube there. Can I get an angle piece, please?

All in. Feeling smug. Start to close back of Sportage. See carry-on full of toiletries and make-up sitting off to the side.

Packing messes with my head. Damn, I forgot the flatiron.