For two years this was our home for 8 months out of the year. I really loved being a campground host. It did have its moments though when I wondered why I am doing this. The good moments outweighed the bad moments. Once I was done with the daily duties, I was able to do the things I enjoyed doing. I thank Chris Woods of the US Forest Service for giving me this opportunity.
The Forest Service provided us with a golf cart to get around the park. These two got used to the cart and got over their fear of it. I watched these two for about 25 minutes to get this capture.
The Herons were hard to stalk. Always on alert for any movement and ready to take flight. One morning I was lucky enough to get close enough and capture it as it was taking flight.
These are some of my favorite captures from the park.
I got to hike the trails, fish and pan for gold. Last year I put over 30 pounds of fish in the freezer.
Sadly, I won’t be returning in 2025. I was diagnosed with peripheral foot neuropathy, which is very painful. I am currently receiving treatments from PC Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, MO. I have only had 4 treatments, and I am very satisfied with the results I have received. It also affects one’s balance. Mine was so bad I couldn’t pass a sobriety test stone cold sober. They have even helped with me with that. I am also retaining water in my legs and feet, and I have an appointment with a vein specialist in March.
I also made a lot of friends. I introduce Jason who I met at the park. He too is a photographer, and damn good at it, we took a lot of pictures.
Another chapter in my book of life comes to an end. I am going to miss this place, but I will be visiting frequently, if my health allows me to, in the capacity of one of the campers visiting Silver Mines Campground.
I am currently working on publishing a coffee table book titled, Missouri Through the Lens. It will be made up of photos of rural Missouri. Places not on the beaten path. It will contain some photos taken Silver Mines.
doubledacres 
Hi, Wayne. You and your wife have frequently been in my prayers, even with your absence from WordPress. Glad to know you have done well, and now I will pray more specifically for your neuropathy issues. I share some of those as minor residuals of my 6th stroke in 2007.
❤️&🙏, c.a.
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Thank you so much it is great to hear from you.
You will definitely be in my prayers.
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Prayers always welcome and appreciated… and needed!😉
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It must be a big wrench to leave but I’m sure you will enjoy your visits.
Hope you get your legs sorted, wishing you well.
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So good to hear from you.
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Time, life, sure goes by fast. Glad you could take all those great pictures, enjoy all those fish and have all those people stories to tell as well.
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Gary it is so good to hear from you. Meeting you in person is on my bucket list.
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Wouldn’t that be fun Wayne. I hope to get your way in the future. I’ll let you know if it happens. Otherwise if you get this way. I have a boat and a small rustic cabin.
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Sending healing prayers to you 🙏 and so sorry your journey is ending as a park host. What an incredible place and your photography is fantastic! Such beautiful places there and a coffee table book with your beautiful photographs will do well! I hope the treatments can fix everything and that it will help with your pain too! Take care my friend! 🤗 Diana
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Miss Diana it is so delightful to hear from you and thank you for the kind words.
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Lovely captures from the park. It’s too bad you won’t be returning as a campground host this year and sorry to hear that you were diagnosed with peripheral foot neuropathy. Best of luck publishing your book of photos.
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It is so good to hear from you. Thanks for your kind words.
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No, Wayne, there is a holistic fix for this… I just don’t know what it is. Nature has the cures, I’m just not the kitchen witch you need 🙂 Bestest wishes from Murph & me
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Glad to hear from you. Every time I see a lizard when hiking I think of you and Murph
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Thank you so much, friend. Our Murphy has been my star in “Converting The Masses To Love Lizards Too!” Thank you so very much for being one to tell us the view about them has changed for the better and more compassionate. Thank you for thinking about us and all your kind comments. It is good to hear from you as well. I worry about some of those in our blogging family when I don’t see new posts or hear from them.
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