Along the Great River Road

This weekend, we ventured along the Great River Road to Pere Marquette State Park to marvel at autumn’s fireworks.  This state park is just outside of Grafton, Illinois (motorcycle heaven) near the fork of the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers.  We took a relaxing hike in the woods among several trees including Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum),

Hey Mac, Sumac

Just enjoying our rapidly developing autumn here in Missouri.  I’m fairly certain that this is Winged Sumac (Rhus copallinum), one of four sumac species found in Missouri, according to the Missouri Department of Conservation.  Not all sumac is Poison Sumac.  But most sumac looks vibrant in the fall.  Grow Native! Winged Sumac information from the

Autumn’s Paint Brush

I enjoyed the peace and solitude of walking in nature this weekend.  This was taken at Wildcat Glades Conservation Center near Joplin, MO