Goodbye Winter; Hello Spring

March 9, 2018March 9, 2018 / doubledacres / 11 Comments

Soon winter will lose its grip and spring flowers and plants will brighten this area.

“March is a month of considerable frustration – it is so near spring and yet across a great deal of the country the weather is still so violent and changeable that outdoor activities in our yards seems light years away.” – Thalassa Cruso

The seasons will soon come full circle once again. In a few days winter the winter season will be over and spring will be the new sheriff in town. Mother Nature will begin a rebirth and the countryside will be filled with flowers, tender young plants and newborn forest critters.

Baseball spring training camps will become a hive of activity. Farmers will begin preparing their fields for planting. The hillsides will come alive as Mother Nature paints them with the colors of the wild plum, redbud and dogwood trees.

Mother Earth will once again renew herself and the circle will begin anew and once again end with winter. Here in the Midwest I can remember when spring lasted for awhile. However in the last 5 or 6 years it seems like we go straight from winter to summer with just a smidgen of spring in between.

“Behold, my friends ,the spring is come; the earth has gladly received the embraces of the sun, and we shall soon see the results of their love!” – Sitting Bull

With the spring comes the spring rains and the flooding. Man has done a real good job of causing historical floods by building their levees. The floods use to clean out and remodel the riparian area of the river which was good for the river. With the levees the water backs up and stays put for a longer period of time and I think this makes the flooding less effective at clearing out some of the debris. Oh well that is my story and I am sticking to it.

We have had some big snows in March. I remember when I was a youngster, one Easter we woke up to 6 inches of snow on the ground. We have a couple of sayings here in Missouri though about the weather.

“Don’t like the weather you say. Stick around for it is sure to change in a couple of hours.’

“Here in Missouri you can experience all 4 seasons in one day.”

A Sign of Spring

Here they are calling for high of 50, low of 36 and Sunday high of 39 and low of 37 with a chance of rain or snow. Winter is still holding on.

“The coming and going of the seasons give us more than the springtimes, summers, autumns, and winters of our lives. It reflects the coming and going of the circumstances of our lives like the glassy surface of a pond that shows our faces radiant with joy or contorted with pain.” – Gary Zukav

I don’t know if we will have a lengthy spring or the scaled down version but I hope it takes a while to give in to summer. Time will tell and we will have to take whatever Mother Nature deals us. That is part of what makes life interesting.

Thanks for taking the time to read my blog. Hope you enjoyed it. Remember to share the love.

A March sunset in the Midwest.

Nature In Its Beauty

February 28, 2018February 28, 2018 / doubledacres / 12 Comments

Monsanto Lake, St Joe Park in Park Hills, Mo

“Those who find beauty in all of nature will find themselves at one with the secrets of life.” – L. Wolfe Gilbert

This morning I am sharing the pics from my fishing trip yesterday. Fish weren’t biting however Mother Nature showcased her beauty and splendor. Glad I had the camera with me. I also added some of my favorite quotes about nature.

Monsanto Lake

“Nature always wears the colors of the spirit” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Monsanto Lake

“Looking at beauty in the world, is the first step of purifying the mind.” – Amit Ray

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“Water is the driving force of all nature.” – Leonardo da Vinci

I call this “Diamonds on the Water”.

“I believe the world is incomprehensibly beautiful and endless prospect of magic and wonder.” – Ansel Adams

Monsanto Lake

” The beauty of the natural world lies in the details.” – Natalie Angier

Monsanto Lake

“A lake is the landscape’s most beautiful expressive feature. It is Earth’s eye; looking into which the beholder measures the depth of his own nature.” – Henry David Thoreau

I hope you enjoyed the pics and quotes. Thanks for taking the time to look at it. I dedicate this blog to Dr. David Tripp a very accomplished artist, writer, and fishing buddy, who has inspired me in my work. Thank you for your undying support. Remember to spread the love.

Nature: The Healer

February 26, 2018February 26, 2018 / doubledacres / 7 Comments

Big River

“I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order.” – John Burroughs

I have always been drawn to nature ever since I was knee high to a grasshopper. I have always had the opportunity to get lost in the allure of nature and fill my mind and spirit with its serenity. I am truly blessed.

I truly wish that everyone could have a chance to immerse themselves in nature for one week. No outside interferences and primitive camping only. I really think it would change peoples lives. Nature has a way of taking all the negativity you have accumulated and shed it from your inner being. If you decide you want to do this sometime, I have put together a little something I hope will make it a pleasurable experience for you.

A Guide To Help You Find Yourself

You need a place to camp. I recommend using state campgrounds in conservation areas. They usually have walking trails. Some have creeks, rivers and lakes in them which add to your “things to do list”. Fishing, kayaking and canoeing become available for you to use. They make it easy to get lost in nature.

If you are serious about finding yourself, I recommend primitive camping because, in a way it brings us back to the ways of our ancestors. No electric. No running water. No TV! Wow, I heard a lot of moans then. It really is a humbling experience. It will make you appreciate a lot of things in your life. Go by yourself. Make sure you practice meditation during your time in nature. It is the perfect venue to use mediation for cleansing your soul, mind and spirit. A good book doesn’t hurt either. Now I am not talking A Thousand Shades of Purple or Yearnings of a Desperate Housewife/Husband. Maybe a self-help book, philosophical, spiritual and thought provoking.

Camp on 12/16/2017

Camp 12/16/2017

Cook your own meals. If you don’t like cooking there are some really delicious MREs on the market. The object of this week long camping trip is to be able to live within your own little world for the whole week so that you won’t be distracted by outside influences or ideas. This time is to be used for you to find yourself. Tame your demons and deal with the skeletons in your closet that seem to be holding you back to achieve your dreams. A good time to evaluate yourself and where you are at in your life.

“Walk in nature and feel the healing power of trees.” Anthony William

Sunrise

Get up before dawn and sit in solitude and watch the sunrise and the beginning of a new day. Listen carefully as the wildlife begins their day. Get lost in the sun as it rises in the east and let your imagination run wild. Track your thoughts and feelings in your journal so that you will have it to remind you of that morning when you are back at the daily grind.

Sunset

Then an hour before sunset make your way to some place you can watch the sunset as your day comes to an end. In the solitude absorb all the things that happened that day. Be sure to add them to your journal. As the sun slips into the west listen to all the new sounds of the forest as the fingers of daylight recede and succumb to the darkness. Hear the coyote howling in the distance as the symphony of crickets began their night of music. Relax and enjoy and clear your mind. Let the serenity of the night lull you into a peacefulness that is hard to explain. Once you feel it you will never think the same.

In closing I would like to say I am a realist and know that not everyone would be comfortable in this setting. If you like the idea and never experienced it please by all means go for it. You won’t be sorry and you will be a new person. You will appreciate more in life and you will like yourself better.

“There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature – the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after winter.” – Rachel Carson, Silent Spring

Thanks for reading. If you have never done this and do take up the adventure please let me know what you thought about indulging in such an undertaking. Don’t forget to spread the love.

Benefits of Fishing

February 7, 2018 / doubledacres / 35 Comments

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“Fishing provides that connection with the whole living world. It gives you the opportunity of being totally immersed, turning back into yourself in a good way. A form of meditation, some form of communion with levels of yourself that are deeper than the ordinary self.” – Ted Hughes

Well the little rodent says that we are going to have six more weeks of winter. That tells me that I am going to be fishing in the cold. If you have never fished before you won’t understand but those of you who have, well you understand totally.

Fishing is something that can be shared among friends. It is a way to get together and enjoy each others company and catch up on old news. It is relaxing and a good way to recharge your spirit. It is a great place to find yourself and cleanse your spirit of all the negativity that has latched onto it.

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My friend David and me at Bonne Terre Lake

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Mark’s grandson, David, Me, and Mark ready to float the river.

Mark and David during a float on the Big River

We have been on a couple fishing trips and we all three graduated together so there is always lots to talk about and we always have a good time. A fishing trip is one hell of a friendship bonding agent. We try to schedule a fishing trip at least once a year. it is always a good time.

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My fishing buddy (grandson) Catfish Kid

Catfish Kid strikes again.

One thing I love about fishing is you can share it with the young-uns. Me and the Catfish Kid caught some fish. He sure does love to fish so we have drowned a bunch of worms.

Following pictures are of fish that I have caught.

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Channel Catfish

Largemouth Bass

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Smallmouth Bass

One of the Big River’s panfish caught by David.

Last but not least. If you have never been fishing on the river before, the scenery can blow you away. One of my favorite times on the river is in the fall when all the leaves are changing colors.

Big River

Big River at Leadwood Access

I hope you enjoyed my little piece on fishing. I can’t say enough good things about it. If you are looking for a new adventure be sure and check out fishing. It is laid back and very enjoyable.

Thanks for reading. I hope you enjoyed it. Remember to spread the love.

(All photos were shot by me)

My Addiction

December 18, 2017December 18, 2017 / doubledacres / 2 Comments

“I believe that there is a subtle magnetism in Nature, which, if we unconsciously yield to it, will direct us aright.” – Henry David Thoreau

My adventure began December 16, 2017. I went to the property we own in Frank Clay that morning and had been cutting wood. It was a gorgeous day and I was having withdrawal symptoms. My addiction hadn’t been fed in awhile and I knew the longer I neglected it the worse it would get.

I arrived home around 2:30 and fed the horses. I then went to work unloading a load of wood that I had brought back. When that was done I went to work organizing the necessary items for a night in the woods.

I arrived at the property at 5:30 p.m. so I would be setting up in the dark. First thing I did was get the fire started so that when I was finished setting up I could rustle up some grub.

My palace for the evening.

It was 47 degrees when I arrived at the property. They were calling for a low of 40 and light rain by morning.

Once I had supper behind me I began reflecting on the day and the early night. The temperature had dropped to 40 degtrees and I could feel the fingers of the cold tugging at my toes and feet.

As I sat watching the flames of the fire dancing around the wood I began thinking just how fortunate I am to be able to experience Nature in this way. I think we tend to get so caught up in our everyday routines that we take our freedoms for granted. In our minds we tell ourselves that it will be there. We seem to forget how fragile life is. It can change in a matter of seconds and we lose the luxury to enjoy the things we hold so dear to our hearts.

As I sat there absorbing my surroundings I tried to imagine what it would be like for someone that has never experienced Nature in this way. No matter how hard I tried I couldn’t wrap my mind around what it would be like. I realize that a lot of people don’t exactly have this adventure on their bucket list. To those people I say, find your “Nature experience”. That one experience that fills your heart with joy, recharges your spirit and cleanses your soul. That “me” time that we need to clear our minds and help us cope with life. Now close your eyes and think what that is. You got it? Hold it dear in your heart and don’t ever hesitate to go there and enjoy that time.

Another passion of mine is Dutch Oven cooking. My favorite is the ten inch. It is quite versatile and I carry that with me on my camping excursions. It also works well as a skillet. That was my choice for Sunday morning. It is great for cooking the complete meal in one pot. This morning I chose potatoes, sausage and eggs. Food tastes so much better when cooked outside, or at least that is my opinion. As I sat there eating breakfast I watched as the forest came to life. I watched as two deer made their way past camp and it must have been a squirrel family reunion. Several were enjoying the mild December weather. I had ten coyotes visit camp the night before. They didn’t stay long. They must have been looking for that roadrunner that was always picking on their cousin Wiley.

“When one tugs at a single thing in nature, he finds it attached to the rest of the world.” – John Muir

Thanks for taking the time to read my blog. I hope you enjoyed it. If your passion is say Bingo, then take the time to go to that place and renew your spirit and cleanse your soul. I know it is sometimes hard to find that time you really need. Learn to schedule this much needed time in your life. Remember to spread the love.

Winter, the Circle Is Complete

December 3, 2017December 3, 2017 / doubledacres / 3 Comments

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“He who marvels at the beauty of the world in summer will find equal cause for wonder and admiration in winter.” – John Burroughs

Here in Missouri we had an extremely mild November with very little moisture and let me tell you we could use the moisture. It is so dry around here that when I let the dogs out in the morning the trees chase them.

December is the month that autumn rides off into the sunset and gives the reins to “old man winter”. On Thursday, December 21 winter will officially begin and visit with us until March 20, 2018 at which time spring will once again grace us with its presence. At this time the seasons have come full circle once again. The last two winters have left very little snow on the ground and some mild temps and all I can hope for is a real winter this year. There, I am out of the closet!

Yep, you guessed it. I am one of those twisted, sick individuals that actually loves the snow. I absolutely treasure a walk in the woods during and after a fresh snowfall. The world is so serene and Mother Earth looks so clean and pure. The most fascinating thing, to me anyway, is how quiet it becomes. One can actually hear the snow falling.

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“The first fall of snow is not only an event, it is a magical event. You go to bed in one kind of a world and wake up in another quite different, and if this is not enchantment then where is it to be found?” – J. B. Priestly

December ushers in the winter and at the same time marks the end of the year. Winter is the only season that is part of the old year and the new year. It is the time of year when Mother Nature can bring travel in the United States to a standstill with her massive snowstorms. Plummeting temperatures can drive people indoors for extended lengths of time. It’s a time of year that you either love or hate. The days are shorter and the longer hours of darkness can cause depression.

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Winter can also be exciting. I remember as a child when they predicted an accumulating snow I would break out the wax to wax the runners of my sled. It was hard to sleep thinking about the winter wonderland that would be waiting at dawn. A favorite winter treat was snow cream and hot chocolate gets an honorable mention.

“Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire: it is the time for home.” – Edith Sitwell

So winter is once again upon us. I haven’t checked the persimmon seeds or the wooly worms. I haven’t checked the Farmers Almanac. I think I will just let this winter surprise me with what is in store and not get my hopes up.

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

Thanks for taking the time to read my blog. I hope you enjoyed it. Don’t forget to spread the love.

Note: All pictures were taken by me and are the property of Double D Acres LLC.

Another Time, Another Place

November 12, 2017 / doubledacres / Leave a comment

I defy the annals of chivalry to furnish the record of a life more wild and perilous than that of a Rocky Mountain trapper.” – Francis Parkman

Have you ever wished you were born in another time? I have on more than one occasion. If I could have chose when I was going to start my journey on Mother Earth, it would have been during the era of the Mountain Men.

Mountain men were most common in the Rocky Mountains from around 1810 to 1880. They were male trappers and explorers who lived in the wilderness and were instrumental in opening various Emigrant Trails. Most mountain men worked for a major fur company however a large amount of them chose to be free trappers.

Fur trading companies implemented a system for the mountain men to sell their furs. It was called the Rocky Mountain Rendezvous, founded by William Henry Ashley, and was around from 1825 to 1840. James Beckwourth once described the Rendezvous as “Mirth, songs, dancing, shouting, trading, trading, running, jumping, singing, racing, target shooting, yarns, frolic, with all sorts of extravagances that white men or Indians could invent.” The Rendezvous is still celebrated yearly throughout the United States in honor of the mountain man. There are black powder rifle shooting contests, knife throwing, tomahawk throwing and primitive archery contests. Folks dress the part of the era and participate in primitive camping and cooking.

“A mountain man tries to live with the country instead of against it.” Louis L’Amour

The life of a mountain man wasn’t easy. It was hard and many didn’t last very long. They had to be knowledgeable about medicinal plants and be able to treat themselves when they got sick or hurt. They had to contend with bear, wolves and mountain lions to name a few. They also had clashes with the Native Americans in the area. They had to know how to trap, hunt, fish, tan hides, make their own clothes, and build sound shelter. They had to be survivors.

A few notable mountain men were:

Jim Beckwourth – (1798-1866) African American who lived with the Crow and attained the position, “war chief”.

Jim Bridger – (1804-1881) Was among the first non-natives to see geysers and the wonders of the Yellowstone Region.

John Colter – (1774-1812) One of the first mountain men and was a member of the Lewis and Clark Expedition.

A few others were, George Drouillard, Sylvan “Buckskin Bill” Hart, John “Liver-Eating” Johnson, Joseph Lafyette “Joe” Meek, Jedediah Smith and William Lewis Sublette.

“The mountains have rules, they are harsh rules, but they are there, and if you keep to them you are safe. A mountain is not like men. A mountain is sincere. The weapons to conquer it exist inside you, inside your soul.” – Walter Bonatti

There have been times that I was floating down the river and would imagine myself as a mountain man and try to imagine what it was like to look upon sites that no white man had ever saw. They had to be blown away by some of the breath taking scenes they saw. How they must have felt when they came face to face with a blizzard and endured a Rocky Mountain winter. They had to feel great accomplishment and jump with joy when spring fell upon the mountains and melted the winter snows. Pardon my “French” but they had to have “gonads” the size of Texas. They had no idea what they would face. No doctors to run to when they got hurt or sick and if something happened to your supply of coffee your were out for a long time and it was a long way to a store to get more.

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“The mountains are calling and I must go.” – John Muir

It would have been a tough life and quite a challenge but I would have loved to try it. Failure during that time usually meant a loss of life. Definitely the “ultimate challenge” that would separate men from the boys or should I say real men from the men?

Hope you enjoyed and thanks for taking the time to read my blog. Spread the love.

Finally! Frost On the Pumpkin!

October 24, 2017October 24, 2017 / doubledacres / 2 Comments

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“How beautifully leaves grow old. How full of light and color are their last days.” – John Burroughs

I have waited patiently to wake up and see the pumpkin covered in frost. I adore autumn. Bonfires are a must, with the aroma of cooking chili hurrying along to tease the unsuspecting noses of those gathered around the bonfire. Hoodies can finally come out of the closet. Animals begin growing their winter hair and the geese head south.

Halloween is just a few days off. The streets will be filled with goblins and witches seeking to fill their bags with candy. Then it won’t be long until the turkey will be sacrificed and used as the main course to fill the bellies of Thanksgiving diners.

“Autumn carries more gold in its pockets than all the other seasons.” – Jim Bishop

I had a friend tell me once, note: he hates the fall, that “fall is like the undertaker, preparing the body for burial”. I guess that is one way of looking at it. Myself, I like to take drives and admire the work of Mother Nature. My understanding is that this year the colors aren’t going to be that good due to the lack of moisture. In the fall the leaves have a chance to “wow” you like the flowers did in the spring. The squirrels begin hiding food for the winter. Drum roll followed with a Snoopy dog dance, no more grass cutting and the horseflies have left the building! Yes! Sorry. Got carried away in the moment.

It has been a long, dry, hot summer and I am ready for the snowflakes to throw themselves upon the ground until they have reached a depth of 8 inches. I will have a fire going in the wood stove with a pot of beans cooking. I will sit and watch my feathered friends eat from the bird feeders.

“October is nature’s funeral month. Nature glories in death more than in life. The month of departure is more beautiful than the month of coming – October than May. Every green thing loves to die in bright colors.” – Henry Ward Beecher

I hope you enjoyed my words and I appreciate you taking the time to read them. Wishing everyone a Happy Fall Season! Spread the love.

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

PLEASE, Don’t Litter

October 19, 2017 / doubledacres / Leave a comment

“Sooner or later, we will have to recognize that the Earth has rights, too, to live without pollution. What mankind must know is that human beings can’t live without Mother Earth, but the planet can live without humans.” – Evo Morales

Today I am going to address something that really gets my Scooby-Dos in a bind. Littering and pollution. Really? This a subject that we shouldn’t even have to discuss. Why do people insist on trashing Mother Earth? Has she offended you? Are you just down right lazy? Do you just not care?

If you have read any of my blogs you are privy to my romance with Missouri rivers and streams. In my journeys I have covered a lot of miles on the rivers. I can’t think of any time on the river that I didn’t find a gravel bar trashed, tires in the river, appliances, etc. and it is heart breaking.

Got this off one gravel bar on the Big River

The problem seems to be getting worse instead of better. I know there are more people that float the rivers than there were 10 years ago. However there seems to be a greater group of people who do their best trying to clean the rivers up.

In Missouri we have Operation Clean Stream. There are various teams located throughout the state that police different areas and streams and have an organized clean up once a year. Usually the fourth weekend in August. It is unbelievable the amount of trash they collect each year.

In August of 2017, Operation Stream Team volunteers removed 539 cubic yards of trash and 2,029 tires from Missouri rivers. There were 1,934 in attendance at the locations of the Arnold Area, Big River (lower and upper), Bourbeuse River, Meramec River (middle, lower and upper), Huzzah and Courtois.

You can find out more at openspacestl.org. and there is a Facebook page called Missouri Stream Teams.

“If you can’t be in awe of Mother Nature, there’s something wrong with you” – Alex Trebek

Sadly a common sight on the river.

“We won’t have a society if we destroy the environment.” – Margaret Mead

We really need to get a handle on this. It isn’t that hard to haul your trash out with you. It isn’t going to take up anymore room than it did when you took it in. Maybe we need to start charging a deposit on cans. I know folks will still leave them however there will be more people collecting those cans to turn them in instead of just leaving them. I know when I was a tad pole I would pick up soda bottles to make extra money. Just a thought. Don’t kill the blogger.

What is it going to take to get people to respect Mother Earth and keep her clean. The rivers are faced with trash and pollution problems that aren’t going to go away unless we the people do something about it. I know, I know. I hear you shaking your head thinking we have a lot of other problems that need to be addressed. Well my friends this is a serious problem and it needs to be addressed. Clean water is needed for survival on this orb and if we run out of it the outcome isn’t very pleasant. It is our life and future. Please stop destroying the waterways with pollution and trash. PLEASE!

Thanks for taking the time to read my blog. Clean water is essential for life and we just can’t keep ignoring the problem. Spread the love!

Silver Mines Recreation Area

October 8, 2017 / doubledacres / Leave a comment

Turkey Creek meets St. Francis River/Silver Mines

“Thousands of tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized people are beginning to find out that going to the mountains is going home; that wildness is a necessity.” – John Muir Our National Parks