Woke up the usual time – 6:30-ish – and went out for a short bike ride before breakfast. The campground was pretty quiet. The Doc next door was getting ready to take off for home (he told us the day before). I coasted down the hill and across the bridge over to the cabins and lodge. Across from the lodge there is an amphitheater and, past that, there is a day use area. Out behind the playground and picnic areas there’s a path down to the river. I went down to check it and hoped Pammie would be up for a swim before leaving this AM. Checkout time is 2 PM at the campground!
I rode around the circle and came to the old “Camp Zoe” site. If you look up Camp Zoe in Missouri you’ll find the history of The Schwag – a Grateful Dead cover band led by Jerry Tebeau that held music festivals at this venue as recently as 2011. Jerry’s now in prison on drug charges, I think, but he says he’s paying for the sins of others. Before Jerry the site was a youth camp and the structure and stone path from the original camp are still there along with a plaque that has some of the history. 330 acres. Jerry bought it for $560K. Damn. What an incredible spot.
Pammie was up and showered when I got back but she was easily convinced to take a ride and a dip.
Sunken creek at Camp Zoe 
or Echo Lake State Park 
If these hills could talk!
We packed up leisurely and got on the road around 11-ish. I wanted to go back to Eminence and get a cup of Joe in town so I ignored googletta’s advice to drop off this windy road and get out to the highway sooner. I parked on the main drag across from the grocery store and cafe. There were masks here and there. Pam wore hers. I carried mine. In the cafe no-one wore a mask. There were a few parties eating. The waitress said she had to make some coffee so it would be a few minutes. She eventually brought out what would be a probably a medium coffee at dunkee’s and we chuckled that Pam wouldn’t drink that much coffee in two days! The charge? .50 cents each. A BUCK!
Taylor called while we were driving out to the main road. We turned onto I64 and the skies were looking hostile. Within fifteen minutes or so the clouds let go and it poured! I pulled over because I couldn’t see for a while. We got back underway and things cleared up a bit, then we saw a few lightning bolts and the skies opened up again. This went on for about an hour. Pammie tried to take a video but didn’t get it. I haven’t driven in rain that heavy for a long time but the rig is six tons. She’s not likely to hydroplane and the tires are good so visibility and other drivers are the only real worry. After a while it cleared up and we were enjoying the steamy sunshine once again.
We stopped for lunch in a park in Mansfield, Missouri out behind the school and town swimming pool. There were kids coming out of the school – no masks, and plenty of kids in the pool having a blast! Pammie made some pasta and chorizo seitan we had picked up Presque Isle when we were headed up to Cross Lake on July 4th! Delicious! This was a nice lunch spot. While we were there I noticed a van had pulled in behind us. The back was open and loaded with luggage. A young lady was sipping from here water bottle and stretching. I assumed they were traveling too and found the same spot to take a break and have some lunch.
Back on the road it was straight, straight, straight and hot, hot, hot. I started seeing signs for “Ozarkworld” – Ice Cream – Taffy – Road Trop Calories Don’t Count – Moccasins – Damn, we HAVE TO STOP. I imagined a tiny little place loaded with useless shit. I wasn’t too far off but it definitely wasn’t tiny and there was a cool junk shop (antiques!) out front too. We bought some candy and a couple post cards. Ozarkworld! Now I could stop saying it over and over…until we saw the sign for the Nut House! Yeah. I vowed to count how many signs we’d see before we arrived at the Nut House but I quickly lost interest in my own stupid little game.
We arrived at Bell Cow Lake campground around 8PM. It took a while to find “Area B” but we pulled in and only two or three campsites were taken. Both prominently displaying 45 flags (I don’t advertise that loser for free) Who cares. They’re just friendly campers just like us if you keep the politics of division out of it.
We took a dip in the murky water and it was refreshing. We both had flip-flips on but they were sticking in the mud. It was definitely mucky and not very deep but very refreshing and welcome after a 350 mile day. There are water and electricity hookups and the fee is $20! Thank you Oklahoma! That’s a great bargain and we appreciate your clean and welcoming campground! The cell service is ripping here too, fyi!
Sunset at Cow Lake 
Driving, driving, and more driving 
Flatness abounds 
More flatness 
Happy Birthday Jim Langley from Ozarkland!
