There are several places in Missouri that allow trail riding on a daily use only term.
You can go there and ride for all day if you want but you can not stay over night and camp out there.
The state parks have some day use only places and the conservation areas have some. There are a few listed here and you can go to the website to find out more about each of them.
Rock Bridge Memorial State Park, Columbia MO 5 miles of trails
Castlewood State Park, Ballwin, MO 15 miles of trails
St Francois State Park, Bonne Terre, MO 10 miles of trails
Lake of the Ozarks State Park, Kaiser, MO about 13 miles of trail
Watkins Mill State Park, Lawson, MO 3 miles of trail
Dr. Edmond Babler State Park, Chesterfield, MO between 7 and 8 miles of trail.
This is just a few of the state parks. The conservation areas usually have basic camping with no amenities of any kind. But there are a few that have trails and no place to camp.
You can call ahead to any of the state park offices and get information on each park. The same with the conservation areas, call and ask about the camping and trails in any area.
When I get all of the places done I will put it together to make another book for sale.
Stay in the saddle and God Bless.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
The winter is coming and we need to get ready for the cold
I don't particularly like the cold weather. I used to love to ice skate but I have not been on a pair of skates in over forty years. I would probably fall and break my posterior now. With the coming of winter it is necessary to get the entire out door things ready for freezing.
The water fountains or barrels need to be insulated good so horses can drink all day. We have good electric heaters in one of ours and it is kept away form the horses by a board over it to protect it and them. This month in my Mother Earth News magazine there is a nice solar stock tank heater. I am a big fan of solar heat and electric. This stock tank uses polycarbonate glazing, which would have to be kept on the outside of the fence for our horses. They would kick it and break it. I can see how this is a good heater though and it would work for us. I will most likely build one and put it under the fence so the glazing is to the south, where it needs to be, and the horses can not get at it.
The horse trailer needs to be drained of the water and then put in anti-freeze to keep it healthy. Same with the camper trailer, all the water lines have to be drained and the stool has to have anti-freeze put in it.
I take all the clothing out of mine too. Mice like to make havoc in there so I take everything out. I usually put some Bar bait in the cabinets and under the sink to take care of the mice, but they still manage to get into other things.
The water fountains or barrels need to be insulated good so horses can drink all day. We have good electric heaters in one of ours and it is kept away form the horses by a board over it to protect it and them. This month in my Mother Earth News magazine there is a nice solar stock tank heater. I am a big fan of solar heat and electric. This stock tank uses polycarbonate glazing, which would have to be kept on the outside of the fence for our horses. They would kick it and break it. I can see how this is a good heater though and it would work for us. I will most likely build one and put it under the fence so the glazing is to the south, where it needs to be, and the horses can not get at it.
The horse trailer needs to be drained of the water and then put in anti-freeze to keep it healthy. Same with the camper trailer, all the water lines have to be drained and the stool has to have anti-freeze put in it.
I take all the clothing out of mine too. Mice like to make havoc in there so I take everything out. I usually put some Bar bait in the cabinets and under the sink to take care of the mice, but they still manage to get into other things.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Horse riders and training for the trail
Most riders fall into two groups, one that rides in the ring or arena and the one that rides in the open trails. I prefer the open trails. There are different challenges in the woods and on the trails and you and your horse have to watch for them. I ride a 18 year old Tennessee Walker and she has been on the trails for over ten years but every time I take her out on the trail it is a new ride and some times she will jump, get startled, and I have to be ready for it.
I read once that it takes more training for a trail horse than a horse that works in the arena. I did not realize this until I thought about it. It is true though. A horse that is worked in the arena is used to seeing the same thing every time he goes out there. No matter what arena it is. A few times around and he has it down to the post.
The trail horse on the other hand has to deal with a fox jumping out or a deer running past. It is totally a different game to your horse. You as the rider have to be ready to expect the unexpected.
Control of your horse is the key here. If you can not control him in the arena do not even think about the trail.
Eating on the trail - your horse is going to want to snack while on the trail. Some people will never let their horse eat while wearing the bit, others will let them snack. IF your horse is not well controlled or inexperienced on the trail you had better not let him eat. Keep his mind on other little jobs and on you.
When he goes to grab a bite ask him to tuck his head or to side step or some other little job. That will keep his mind on the job not on eating.
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| Lucy |
I read once that it takes more training for a trail horse than a horse that works in the arena. I did not realize this until I thought about it. It is true though. A horse that is worked in the arena is used to seeing the same thing every time he goes out there. No matter what arena it is. A few times around and he has it down to the post.
The trail horse on the other hand has to deal with a fox jumping out or a deer running past. It is totally a different game to your horse. You as the rider have to be ready to expect the unexpected.
Control of your horse is the key here. If you can not control him in the arena do not even think about the trail.
Eating on the trail - your horse is going to want to snack while on the trail. Some people will never let their horse eat while wearing the bit, others will let them snack. IF your horse is not well controlled or inexperienced on the trail you had better not let him eat. Keep his mind on other little jobs and on you.
When he goes to grab a bite ask him to tuck his head or to side step or some other little job. That will keep his mind on the job not on eating.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Stockton Lake 15 mile ride
The Stockton Lake ride is a Corp of Engineer project. There are eight parks around the lake managed and maintained by the Corp of Engineers. There is available a full range of marina services, restaurants and camping, made available by leases to the public. They also have beaches, boat ramps picnic areas and playgrounds.
The Orleans trail and Hawker point campgrounds in Cedar county has two trailheads. Orleans trail campground on RB road from Hwy 39 south of Stockton. The Orleans trailhead has five non-electric sites, it does have showers and restrooms. Sites have hitching rails lots of shade and parking for truck and trailer. There is a fee for camping each night. The sites are not reservable, it is first come first serve.
The Hawker point campground is south of Stockton off Hwy 36 on Hwy H. There is a total of fifteen miles of trail from the Orleans to Hawker campgrounds.
Hawker Point has six sites non-electric, water at central areas and a rest room and showers.
All around the lake there is lots of places to eat and enjoy all lake activities.
This is a good ride and you will see lots of wild life and birds along the way.
The Orleans trail and Hawker point campgrounds in Cedar county has two trailheads. Orleans trail campground on RB road from Hwy 39 south of Stockton. The Orleans trailhead has five non-electric sites, it does have showers and restrooms. Sites have hitching rails lots of shade and parking for truck and trailer. There is a fee for camping each night. The sites are not reservable, it is first come first serve.
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| picture from internet of COE |
Hawker Point has six sites non-electric, water at central areas and a rest room and showers.
All around the lake there is lots of places to eat and enjoy all lake activities.
This is a good ride and you will see lots of wild life and birds along the way.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Joanna Trail and Lick Creek Trail in Missouri
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| Ramp for disabled persons |
Horse camping is at the Frank Russell Recreation area. They have 65 sites all have 30-amp electric. Each site has a picnic table, fire grill, and electric hookup. The sites are all paved parking. Shaded horse stalls are available for Frank Russell's registered campers only. Water is available and vault toilets. There is a dump station and trash dumpster, shower house and a play ground. The horses can not be kept at the campsite. There is a shaded horse stall just a short distance from the campground.
If you drive to the Joanna Trail parking lot for day use you will go through the Mark Twain Landing resort. It is a big resort and playground for the lake area. Three water slides and miniature golf and much more.
Lick Creek Trail is another trail for horses in Missouri. The entrance is across from the Ray Behrens Campground. There is a short loop near the campground. The campground is for travel trailer and tents but no horses. They have 165 campsites with electric. There are restrooms, showers, a playground, and boat ramp and picnic area and picnic shelters.
There are two parking lots along the trail. Primitive camping is allowed along the trial in designated areas with a permit.
I personally have not been on this trail, reviews tell me that it is not marked well and you can get off the trail very easily. Horses also do not use it much. (Probably because no camping is allowed with horses).
Well have a good ride and stay in the saddle.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Fulton MO, Westminster College and Winston Churchill Memorial
Our trip this weekend started in Fulton MO. Traveling east on Hwy 54, north of Jefferson City. When we are traveling when I see a sign that states historic site I usually stop to see it. This was the case today.
We stopped to see the old store fronts and brick roads. It is a very old city. It is home to the Winston Churchill Memorial, and Westminster College. Westminster College is opening new campus living quarters the fall of 2010, it is called Westminster Grove. The Winston Churchill museum is located on the college campus and is in the Church of St Mary the Virgin, Aldermanbury. a 12th century church from the middle of London, redesigned by Sir Christopher Wren in 1677, that was relocated to Fulton.
The city has brick streets and the buildings are old and very articulate. They have the First Christian Church that has a unique structure to it. It has a eight sided round top on it. Some of the old homes have older style constructions as well we took some pictures a house that has a round corner to it. The roof looks like a castle turret.
The Camping was great this past weekend. We stayed the first night at Macon MO. Private campgrounds just west of Macon on Hwy 36. It is a very nice place with showers, laundry and restrooms, very clean and quiet. We got there about seven p.m. and the camp host got there about twenty minutes later. He is very friendly and told us what was in the area and where everything was in the campground.
We stopped to see the old store fronts and brick roads. It is a very old city. It is home to the Winston Churchill Memorial, and Westminster College. Westminster College is opening new campus living quarters the fall of 2010, it is called Westminster Grove. The Winston Churchill museum is located on the college campus and is in the Church of St Mary the Virgin, Aldermanbury. a 12th century church from the middle of London, redesigned by Sir Christopher Wren in 1677, that was relocated to Fulton.
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| Winston Churchill Memorial |
The city has brick streets and the buildings are old and very articulate. They have the First Christian Church that has a unique structure to it. It has a eight sided round top on it. Some of the old homes have older style constructions as well we took some pictures a house that has a round corner to it. The roof looks like a castle turret.
The Camping was great this past weekend. We stayed the first night at Macon MO. Private campgrounds just west of Macon on Hwy 36. It is a very nice place with showers, laundry and restrooms, very clean and quiet. We got there about seven p.m. and the camp host got there about twenty minutes later. He is very friendly and told us what was in the area and where everything was in the campground.
Friday, September 3, 2010
St Francois State Park & BonneTerre, MO
St Francois is located on Hwy 67 in eastern Missouri, the town of BonneTerre.
The park has a very nice campground but no horse camping is allowed. There is basic and electric camping with a regular camper, tent or RV. They have a dump station, water available but not at every campsite. There is a laundry room, a camp store, vault toilets, and showers with restrooms.
The park has an interpretation program, picnic tables, shelters and fishing, swimming and boating.
Bonne Terre has a mine that is listed as the world’s largest man–made caverns. You can walk down an 80-foot decline to the first of five levels. It is a constant 62’ temperature. There are many formations to see, and there is a boat tour available under ground. The mine has 17 miles of shoreline and scuba divers use it year round. The mine is actually larger than the city of BonneTerre.
The mine was made with man and mule power, they carved a five level cavern mining. The mines were closed and the pumps were shut off that kept the water out of the caverns. They filled up and now there are five levels of underwater places that scuba divers explore.
Try one of these items for your outdoor cooking.
if you like my articles use the follow me button
The park has a very nice campground but no horse camping is allowed. There is basic and electric camping with a regular camper, tent or RV. They have a dump station, water available but not at every campsite. There is a laundry room, a camp store, vault toilets, and showers with restrooms.
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| St Fracois trail entrance |
The Pike Run horse trail is eleven miles long and is a multi use trail.
The park has an interpretation program, picnic tables, shelters and fishing, swimming and boating.
Bonne Terre has a mine that is listed as the world’s largest man–made caverns. You can walk down an 80-foot decline to the first of five levels. It is a constant 62’ temperature. There are many formations to see, and there is a boat tour available under ground. The mine has 17 miles of shoreline and scuba divers use it year round. The mine is actually larger than the city of BonneTerre.
The mine was made with man and mule power, they carved a five level cavern mining. The mines were closed and the pumps were shut off that kept the water out of the caverns. They filled up and now there are five levels of underwater places that scuba divers explore.
Try one of these items for your outdoor cooking.
if you like my articles use the follow me button
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