River Run Park now open for the 2013 season!

The 2013 season for River Run Park located close to Forsyth Missouri, at 138 River Run Road
Forsyth MO 65653, opened this morning as work crews finished work on the on-site bathrooms and showers so they would be ready for use by park customers.Everything else looks good to go!

The two park attendants, Sue and Harold, can be reached at 417-546-3646 during regular hours. I stopped by to see them earlier on the day of this post to try and clear up some questions I had concerning the 'Day Use Facility Fees' sign that is located adjacent to the Park Attendant office itself.

As you can see, this sign covers the boat ramp and swimming access but does not say what a camper or people with an RV are supposed to do should they arrive when neither attendant is on site. I was told, by Sue, that in the event that the office was closed (Tuesdays and Wednesdays), campers should take an envelope out of the small box located beneath the sign and place their check into it. The fee is $20 per site per day (max of 14 days). If they happen to have a Golden Pass, then they would pay half that cost (just enter your Golden Pass number on the envelope). Also note the campsite you selected to stay in somewhere on the envelope Just separate the two haves, seal the payment section and hang the other half in the front window of your vehicle.  What a deal!

The trashing of a local park area! Where are the Police?

Ain't this pretty?

I'm not sure whose in charge of the Shadow Rock Park area, but whoever it is they should be ashamed! I'm guessing that would be the City of Forsyth and their seemingly callous neglect of an area just across from Swan Creek that is being progressively trashed by a group of what I consider to be inbred morons! Individuals who I'll bet aren't smart enough to realize that they look like complete idiots as they mindlessly run their vehicles through muddy area in a field adjacent to Shadow Rock Park. Duh!

The end result is a piece of utterly destroyed ground that will probably never recover as the soil has become so compacted that nothing will grow (reminds me of a scene out of some Third World country). And, for what reason? So that a few retards can pretend they're somebody cool? Give me a break! (I'll wager that the collective futures of these dimwits is not very good and that the words 'welfare' and 'prison' are or will soon be significant words to them).

Bloomers – A great garden resource to visit!

Located at 12900 US Hwy 160 in Forsyth MO (right across from the Elks Club), is a well established garden center known as Bloomers! It’s run by Todd and Lori Roberts and features garden vegetable starts, herbs and all manner of flowering plants. Those are displayed in the greenhouse and they’re all priced to sell!

Inside the adjacent building I found a wealth of garden related items including, bags of garden soil,

Miracle Gro potting mix, weed mats, squirrel resistant bird feeders and assorted lawn ornaments just to name a few. Seriously, rather than drive all the way into Branson and burn all that gas, you might just want to duck into this venue first! You can also call ahead at 417-546-2880 to find out if they have what you need!

Wouldn't it be nice if area parks had a plan for severe weather?

Even a simple beacon with posted instructions could help!

After checking at a couple of the three parks that grace the Forsyth Mo area, I came to the conclusion that in the event of a rapidly developing storm system, most campers and RV'ers are pretty left to their own devices. I don't have the impression that anyone has thought out what would happen in the event (someone please correct me if I'm wrong) that a tornado touched down and caused damage in a crowded park full of families on a spring day! Sure, I'll be willing to bet that some of the more savvy types might have a weather radio in their RV, or perhaps some kind relative who would call a loved one they knew was in a dangerous area. But I wonder if that would cover all the folks that might be suddenly placed in harms way in a given locale? Does the local Emergency Management personnel have a plan for our parks? And if so, how would it be executed? Where would they be instructed to go and would they even get those instructions in time? All good questions, I feel.

This is an issue I hope gets addressed before someone does get hurt. I'd hate to think that the lack of infrastructure (such as written instructions and a warning beacon for watches and warnings) would be treated the way highway officials seem to treat a dangerous drop off next to some road. All too often, a guardrail goes up only after someone got hurt or killed!

River Run Update for April 17, 2010!

I had a chance to visit with one of the two Park Attendants who are now at River Run Park located just to the east of the town of Forsyth MO and was told that the park would be opening on May the first! I was also informed that the price for a camp and/or RV site would be at $22 per night. This would be increase of $2 from the previous year if it holds true.

While I was walking around the park, I noticed that work was still be performed in regards to the water or power systems, both of which had been re-innovated this past fall and winter.

Additional information about River Run (and to make sure as to the opening date), can be obtained with this link!

What if a tornado were to hit Shadow Rock Park?

It's Memorial Weekend and both River Run and Shadow Rock Parks are filled to capacity with families out enjoying what had been a picture perfect and hot late spring outing. RV's of all shapes and sizes fill most of the camping sites with just a few tents scattered about here and there. The smell of barbeque fills the air as do the shouts of children who are having the time of their young lives.

'Suddenly, and seemingly without warning, the sky to the southwest turns an ominous dark as rain laden clouds race towards the Forsyth area in southwest Missouri. All day long, the National Weather Service had been advising listeners to be prepared to take precautions as a line of super cell thunderstorms had formed just across the Arkansas-Kansas border and which were now racing to the northeast at 60 mph!

In no time at all, shortly after 4PM, the first of a series of F1-F2 class tornadoes dips down and so begins a swath of destruction that will continue for miles and miles. A path that pointed straight like an arrow, to Shadow Rock park and families who only became aware that they were in jeopardy when the sirens began to go off...'

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Fortunately, that dialog is just a story and hopefully that theoretical storm passes by with everyone only a little wet for the experience. But, it did bring to my mind a question and that is what services are in place in the event of such a potential disaster? Are there safe havens for people to run to if a storm brews up with little warning? If so, where are they and how would information about them get disseminated?

Yes, I'm playing the devil advocate here, but like a lot of people I spend quite a bit of my time in either or both of these parks and confess to never having seen anything in writing that advises of what I could do in such a situation. Perhaps someone could enlighten me?

Want something tasty to eat? Visit the White River Grill!

Tucked away in the small, but scenic town of Rockaway Beach Missouri, is perhaps one of the most creative eateries I've encountered in many a year. Run by owner/cook Bill Kitchin, the White River Grill has to be experienced rather than merely described. That's because the food that's served up from a wide and varied menu is done to perfection each and every time. Testament to that fact is the picture (see below) I took of a breakfast I had there recently. It's called the 'Town Favorite' and it looked so good, I'd taken a bite out of one of the sausages before remembering to snap the shot! And speaking of food, Mr. Kitchin regularly posts some of his creations on his Face Book page for all to see (and hunger for). Make sure to 'friend' him so you too can keep abreast of his special offerings as they come up!

Located at 2683 State Highway 176 in Rockaway Beach, about halfway down the main drag, the restaurant is easy to find. And, I've always been treated well as this establishment which is not really surprising when you have servers like Rene giving some of the most courteous and prompt service to be found anywhere!

The establishment is open Tuesday through Sunday, the last time I checked. To be sure, you can call them at 417-561-1313 during regular business hours. The White River Grill has free Wifi, is kid friendly, does private parties and even has an outside deck for dining out on the nice days of the year. Make plans to stop there today! You won't be disappointed.