Getting to Know Missouri’s Geology and Beauty

I was driving all around SE Missouri today with a friend, a sculptor who knows a lot about Missouri geology. We were looking for (and finding) some awesome looking rocks. Recently, I've been learning that Missouri offers lots of interest to geologists and rock hounds.

Unfortunately, the sun started setting, as it tends to do too soon every day. That's when we came across this vista of Marble Creek in Arcadia, Missouri (Mark Twain National Forest). Apparently, I don't even know some of the most beautiful parts of my own state.



Now back to those rocks . . .  Here are photos of four of them.  Big and stunningly beautiful and bursting with quartz.  It really helps to go rock-hounding with someone who knows where to go and what to look for.



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Life on the Farm



Annie Miller and I are still recovering from too much fun at Forevermost Farm in Arkansas, courtesy of "Happiness Advocates," Steve Grappe and Kelly Grappe. Wow, fresh artistically arranged food - in the form of a "Meraki Charcuterie," chickens, turkeys, pigs, fainting goats and Newman the 19 years old Dog. Goats and Chickens trying out the pajamas Ann Beck Miller designed for them. We played lots of music (Steve and I had a band while he lived in STL) and we took lots of photos (Steve was my mentor re photography). Such an oasis away from life in the city. Thanks, Steve and Kelly! Visit the website of ForeverMost Farms to learn more about Steve and Kelly's new way of life.

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Experiencing the Beauty and History of Cappadocia, Turkey

My girlfriend Jen and I are back home, but our hearts are still in Turkey. As I sit at my computer post-processing photos from Cappadocia, I still can't quite get my head around the magic and immense beauty from that region surrounding the town of Goreme. Not only was there natural beauty, but also signs of ancient history everywhere we looked. On our first morning there, we saw Cappadocia from the air - a glorious early-morning balloon ride.

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