Fall Foliage - Maples Change Colors
Maplecrest & Mapleleaf Cemeteries Show Off Their Colors
Fall temperatures have finally arrived here in the Ozarks. October is always one of my favorite months. The sometimes oppressive heat and humidity give way to cool mornings and pleasant afternoons. I wanted to make sure and get some fall color pictures before the leaves began to get blown off the trees. I took one trip down the Buffalo River, entering from Highway 206 and exiting back onto Highway 7, taking a drive through the Erbie Area. My second trip was just around town and up to the Maplewood and Maplecrest Cemeteries.
October 6 was a hazy, overcast, warm day as I made my way down to the Eribe area of the river. It was a weekday but I expected vacationers to be abundant. The New Eribe Campground has electrical hookup for RV Campers. The first thing I noticed was some road
Fresh, Clean Water Year Round |
signs that had been pulled aside, making travel possible. I knew they were working on the roads in this area, but was surprised some of them were open. As I drove I noticed a normally locked gate was open. I turned down that grass road and went fairly far, but eventually came across a very deep rut in the road, more like a ditch, filled with water and very muddy. I decided to turn around and not chance it. I then drove up to the Erbie horse camp and found a lone couple getting ready to take a trail ride. They were from the Mountain home area and we had a pleasant visit. Their horses having finished eating, the man began to saddle up and pep for the ride. He told me they had been riding for over 40 years and frequently visited the park. I then drove down to Cove Spring, the site of the Old Adcock homestead. For many years this used to be one of our favorite summer swimming holes. There is a spring which empties right into the pool and keeps it cool in the summertime. As long as the creek flows freely the swimming hole stays clean. Once people try and 'improve' it by blocking up the exit. the swimming hole gets funky.
Backtracking and crossing the river at the Erbie low water bridge, I could not help but notice all the new roadwork that had been done. I had to stop at the Parker-Hickman homestead.The road was blocked by a no thru traffic sign. |
I could see a vehicle on the other side of that sign, parked in the lot by the homestead. So, I moved the sign and drove on through. After I did that I saw two men who obviously were working on the roads. I stopped and told them I moved their sign. They said no problem they were going around and removing them all that day. I inquired about the road from Compton to Erbie, which I heard they were going to fix. They said it was all done and a sedan could make the drive now. I spent some time visiting with the man who had that car. He was from out of state and wrote travel articles which he posted to Facebook. I forget his name. While we were talking a group riding horses came by. They were a local group, just out for a nice ride on a warm, fall day. I left the homestead and took the long way back to Harrison.
The next day, October 9th was a beautiful, sunny and warm day. I thought I would spend some time just driving around town and checking out some of the more colorful trees that were sprinkled around town. My first stop was along Capps Road, heading into town.
Capps Road takes me directly into the downtown area. I could not help but stop and take pictures of some very colorful trees along that road. I pulled into a driveway, asked permission to park for a few minutes then walked down the road snapping pictures. My next stop was Downtown Harrison, on the Square. City Hall is surrounded by picturesque trees and there was a stunning one (front page picture) and a blazing red one that stood out from the others. Once I finished with the downtown area I headed up to the Maplewood Cemetery and the newer Mapleleaf Cemetery. This is usually my litmus strip to test for how far along the color change is. Based on what I saw, I think full color will be sometime over the next week.
Fall in the Ozarks is one of the busiest times for those who want to visit and catch the fall colors. There are plenty of day hikes and road trips that will satisfy that desire. One nice thing is there are no fees to wander in the Buffalo River Park, or any of the wilderness areas or national forests. You can explore, take in the wonders, and view the color changes for free!
Fall in the Ozarks is one of the busiest times for those who want to visit and catch the fall colors. There are plenty of day hikes and road trips that will satisfy that desire. One nice thing is there are no fees to wander in the Buffalo River Park, or any of the wilderness areas or national forests. You can explore, take in the wonders, and view the color changes for free!