I'm back from my annual personal retreat (birthday escape). I took a week this year...really needed to recharge. Decided to check out one of Missouri's newer state parks, Echo Bluff, about 3 hours away. Perfect season to go. I was a little apprehensive about staying in a lodge room, usually I rent an entire cabin when I do my retreats. The lodge was perfect this time of year. In fact, 3 out of 4 nights I was the only guest in the lodge. The staff knew why I was there and promised to stay out of my way upon arrival. Each room has a balcony and gas fireplace along with micro/fridge. Thankfully I brought most of my own food but I did dine alone at the restaurant a couple evenings (had to use the dessert coupons they gave me as a birthday gift!). They gave me a corner room overlooking Sinking Creek under the bluff. Stunning views. That room also had the weakest wi-fi signal which was perfect. I was there to unplug.
I spent a lot of time hiking and just being outdoors. There are a lot of springs and mills in the area to visit and being off-season (Current River and Jack's Fork River float season doesn't start for another week or so) I found myself alone everywhere I went so it was perfect! Though there are several thousand acres of forest I was hoping to find a band or two of the wild horses that are protected in the area. I managed to find 3 and enjoyed watching them 20 minutes or so. I did not spy any Elk, though my dad was there a couple weeks ago and saw several large herds. The Conservation Dept had a meeting there specifically about the Elk a week before my dad was there and they couldn't find any of them either so I don't feel so bad! Made my list for the year 53 by 53 and was glad to check off a few more things from last year's list 52 by 52. Ran the typical trends of Missouri weather in late February. Started out blissfully warm, ended with rain then ice/snow.