Tag: Missouri

Weeeeeeee

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I noticed a zip line place while driving around during vacation with my cousin Alicia in Branson, Missouri. I asked her if she wanted to go on the zip line adventure with me. Afraid of heights, she was hesitant at first, but then said yes. It was off-season, so my cousin and I lucked out and had Wolfe Creek Preserve to ourselves! We had a blast with our two informative guides Nathan and Megan. We went on the Flying Prospector Canopy Tour, which included four zip lines and seven suspension bridges. The course was a lot of fun and the Ozarks provided a serene natural setting.

So far, my zip line checklist includes:

  • Whistler/Blackcomb Mountains in British Columbia — my first zip line adventure in 2010 that got me hooked on the sport
  • Rock Creek Park in Maryland
  • Ozark Mountains in Missouri

My next zip line dream destination is Italy or South Africa!

Close Encounter

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My cousin and I went on a two-hour Wildlife Tram Tour at Dogwood Canyon during our trip to Missouri. This beautiful park is 10,000 acres across the Missouri-Arkansas border in the Ozark Mountains. We drove by and made stops at towering bluffs and waterfalls, old bridges, Glory Hole (a blue-green pool where some of the area’s largest trout live). We also stopped to admire American bison, elk, white tail deer and Texas longhorn roaming freely about and we went across the Arkansas border. It was the CLOSEST I had ever come to those types of animals — in the past I was in a car or at a zoo. It was a great experience. I loved the way the momma bison interacted with her babies.

More Than a Good Meal

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During our trip tip Big Cedar Lodge in Missouri we stopped for lunch at College of the Ozarks (aka Hard Work U) because the rental car guy insisted it is the best place to eat in the area. Our initial reaction was a college, really?! Turns out he was right! ALL the ingredients they use are super fresh — raised and grown directly on the property. Each of our meals were delicious. All of the staff from the chefs in the back to the greeters in the front are current students. The concept of this distinct college is very cool – every student must attend classes full time and work 15 hours per week on campus instead of paying tuition. They even have a 15-room hotel above the restaurant where students interested in hospitality can work. Students can try different jobs each semester throughout their four years to get an idea of what type of work they want to do once they graduate. It was a great place to eat and a fun place to visit.