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Lone Elk Park

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Nestled in St. Louis County in Missouri is a 546-acre wildlife area known as Lone Elk Park. What was once a World War II ammunition and testing range is now home too free roaming elk, bison, deer and wild turkey. Visitors can view them by driving and walking through the park. It features trails, nature center and picnic areas can be found around the park.

So why the name Lone Elk Park? All the park acreage was once a part of the 2,400 acre Tyson Valley Powder Plant. The area was used for the testing and storage of ammunition during World II. In 1948, after the war, it was used as a county park, and herds of elk and bison were established within the park. During the Korean War the Federal Government reacquired park. At that time, 1958, for the safety of the wildlife herds were destroyed and only one bull elk survived.

In 1964, St. Louis County acquired 405 acres of the original tract and in 1966 its name was changed to Lone Elk Park and in 1966 six elk were obtained from Yellowstone National Park. This was made possible through the efforts of the children of the Rockwood School Distract and the West St. Louis County Lions Club. Fred Weber Construction Company built the park’s lake at no cost to the county. Lone Elk Park was opened to the public on October 17, 1971. Then in July of 1971, six bison were acquired from the St. Louis Zoo and moved to the park.

Things to know before you go:

No dogs: Pets are not allowed even if kept in a vehicle. No feeding: DO NOT feed any of the wildlife. Donations: Entry is free, but donations are encouraged. For best viewing arrive around 8 a.m.

I have visited the park many times and remind you these are wild animals and are unpredictable. Never approach them or tease them. This could provoke an attack causing things to get ugly real fast.

Thanks for taking the time to read. I appreciate it very much. I remind you to be kind to one another. Being kind to someone doesn’t cost you anything but can change a person’s life for ever.

You Can’t make This Stuff Up

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Being a campground host sure has its moments that leave you shaking your head. This one happened one afternoon, and it was definitely a “Shake your head moment.” I was doing my daily testing of the campground water, and I was approached by a couple that I would guess to be in their late fifties.

The gentleman asked me if I was the campground host and I told him I was. He was quiet for a moment, and he replied I really don’t know how to begin. He said I have really never experienced what happened today in a National Park before. My wife and I were standing on the bridge taking photos and we noticed a man, woman, and a child who was around 8 or 9 walking down the bank of the river. As they got closer, we noticed all they had on was their shoes. They weren’t even wearing socks. When they got to the bridge they started walking toward us. My wife and I looked at each other totally shocked. This was one of those visions that haunts you the rest of your life. It was not pretty at all.

This is the bridge they were standing on but the water was much lower.

He said they were probably in their 60s and he said neither were very attractive and they didn’t know what to do. Scream bloody murder or run were two options that came to mind. They approached us and made casual conversation and my wife, and I felt very awkward talking to them. We didn’t want to be rude, but it was rude of them approaching us completely naked as if it were something everyone did. My wife and I were frozen in place and listened in disbelief as they made conversation as if it was perfectly normal to approach someone completely naked and have a conversation. He said they introduced themselves as Papa Bear and Mama Bear but didn’t mention the child’s name. They asked if it was our first time to visit the park, what we thought of the park and if we had ever been to the kayak races, etc. When they told us their names I decided against running, because they were definitely crazy and I thought if we ran, we might make them angry and they might chase us and do harm to us, so we stood there and tried desperately not to look at them.

After what seemed like an eternity Mama Bear turned to Papa Bear and said Pappa Bear, we have taken up enough of their time and should let them go on their way. They said goodbye and we watched as they walked to their car and get in and drive off. My wife turned to me and sked, what just happened? Were they really naked or had she gone crazy. Then we both gave a big sigh of relief and set out to find you.

He asked me if this sort of thing happens often. I replied only on days that end with a “Y”. Then I assured him that was the first time I have ever heard of anything like that happening in the park. Just when you think you have heard and seen it all you realize you haven’t after all. I honestly don’t know what I would do if I ever encountered a situation like that and hope to never find out. What would you do?

Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to read my post. I deeply appreciate all of you who have subscribed to my blog and thank you to all of you who were concerned about my health.

Another view of the bridge. I bet the day I took this photo they would have been wearing clothes, but then again maybe not.

A Day From the Past Remembered

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This day happened when I was the ripe old age of 14. We used to spend a whole week every year at a place called Many Islands in Arkansas, trout fishing on the Spring River. Well, my dad had bought a trolling motor to help in getting around on Spring River. The owner of the campground had poured a concrete pad to aid in loading gear into boats and canoes.

He rented a boat and pulled it up to the pad where our gear was waiting to be loaded into the boat. My dad had one foot in the front of the boat and one foot on the pad. He had me hand him the gear and he loaded it into the boat. He assured me that his knot would hold and keep the boat in place.

Well, everything seemed to be going pretty well and then I noticed the boat was getting farther from the concrete pad, but my dad would pull the boat back to the pad with his leg. As long as the knot held, everything would be fine.

Then it happened. The knot failed and my dad was struggling to pull it back. I stared in horror as I realized he was approaching the point of no return. My gut told me this wasn’t going to end well and it sure wasn’t going to be pretty. Then it happened. The gap between the concrete pad where my dad’s foot was planted and the boat where his other foot was planted became too wide for him to recover and into the water he went. FYI the water temp is cold and colder. His head went under water and then after what seemed like an eternity, he emerged from the water resembling the Phoenix rising from the ashes. I learned a whole bunch of new adjectives that I would never be able to use in school. Needless to say, we didn’t go fishing that morning.