SNOW 'N TROUT

We had a beautiful snowfall yesterday. It snowed all day and it was absolutely gorgeous. I love snow and especially at this time of year, because it doesn't usually hang around that long. And though it was a great day to sit in front of the fireplace and watch the snow fall, it made for very slick roads. Interstate 44 for shut completely down in our area of travel. We could get to Springfield okay, lucky for hubby goin' and comin' to work, but if you wanted to head east to Lebanon, forget about it, and it was shut down all day. Today, though the temps did not get above freezin', the sun shone so strongly that most of the snow is gone.

The snow and below freezin' temp's did not deter a race of people that come to our area at this time of year. It is a hardy race of humans, they have been know to withstand any weather that Mother Nature wants to throw at them. This race is know as 'Trout Fishermen'.

Trout season started today at Bennett Springs. It runs from the first of March to the end of October.

Here are some pictures of these fools, sorry, I mean 'hardy fishermen', taken today in below, I mean way below freezin' temp's. They said they had ice on their fishin' lines.

Each year at the openin' of trout season, about 3,000 people show up to stand next to another fool, sorry, I mean 'hardy fisherman', to cast their little fly out there and attempt to catch one of these:

Now I like trout but I can't imagine tryin' to fish when 3,000 other fools, sorry, I mean 'hardy fishermen' are castin' their lines in right next to each other. I mean you can see how close everybody was to each other. And these pictures are just showin' a small area of Bennett Springs.

One good thing, they said the trout were bitin'. They said that no sooner did you cast out, your fly was hit and you were haulin' 'er in. Now that sounds good, and good eatin', let me tell ya.

Bennett Springs Park is a beautiful place to visit even if you're not fishin'. There are trails to walk and it is also a fish hatchery so there's fish to see and they sell feed for you to toss out to 'em. CD and I love to run down there on Sunday mornin's to eat breakfast at the old dinin' hall, and then we walk one of the trails. Our granddaughter likes to go too, she likes to feed the fish.

The springs origin is attributed by the Osage Indians to an earthquake caused by the creator's displeasure with the tribe.

The first white settler's came in 1837 and built the first of several Mill's at the falls. Through the years Bennett Springs was home to grist mills, flour mills and saw mills.

Bennett Springs is located in the Spring Valley of the Niangua River. Water comes up from a spring that pumps out over 100 million gallons per day. The spring basin is 50 feet in diameter and divers have gone down 80 feet in depth and 13 feet in length before the water's velocity becomes so great that they can go no further.

These pictures were taken this past summer at the end of June.

The pictures of the trout were taken at one of the hatchery tanks.

This is a walkway that runs beside some of the hatchery tanks and there are different sizes in each one.

Toss a handful of food in and they go into feedin' frenzy mode. The top of the water here is usually smooth as glass, the fish have it churned up tryin' to get the food. Granddaughter says they act like a bunch of sharks. She says she would not want to fall in there. I wouldn't either!

This is a picture I took from above the falls lookin' down to the bridge below the falls.

The bank is steep in this area so they built steps for the fools, sorry, I mean 'hardy fishermen' to get down to the water. Really cool steps.

Here's below the falls lookin' back up.

Brave fool, sorry, 'hardy fisherman' standing on that slippery wall.

Brave. I mean when you're walkin' across a place like this, not only is the water force tryin' to sweep you away, but it's slicker than snot!

This is back up from the falls. It's much more tranquil and peaceful here.

Back up the spring from the falls. I like this picture. I could be one of those fools, sorry, 'hardy fishermen' out there. I love to fish.

Back up the spring it is like a different place. So calm and you can fish here too. You can actually stand on the bank and see the trout swimmin' around, the water is crystal clear.

Isn't this a neat buildin'? I always thought this was a gauge house but my hubby said he didn't think so. I bet I'm the one who's right!

There is a pavilion built up above spring for sittin' and eatin'.

The town that was first built in this valley was known as Brice. There is still a church and a couple of other buildin's that I think was part of the town.

Here are some old pictures of the old mills, there are no mills left here, the last one burned down in 1944.

An old picture of the settlement of Brice.

More old pictures of some of the mills built on this spring.

Here's a picture of the old mill stream leadin' to the mill in the distance.

Here is an old picture of the dinin' hall. You can still eat here and they have great food, some of the best fried chicken and fried trout.

Here's an old picture of the spring hole. You can see it in the back ground.

Here's another old picture of the spring hole. The Indians called it "Eye of the Sacred One".

Well I hope you've enjoyed my pictures of Bennett Springs State Park, I hope you get to come and visit some day. It is such a pretty place and the fishin' is great. I promise I won't call you a 'fool'.

Here's one more picture of one of the old mill's race wheel. I love this picture. It just makes me want to be there.

Youn's come back dreckly now, ya hear?

Rebel