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Oct 8, 2024

Johnson Shut-Ins

(Part one)

 

On October 20, 2022, I started a quest that became my own Holy Grail. I would visit every one of Missouri’s 57 state parks and 36 historic sites. I included two facilities that weren’t categorized, but they were on the list!

And that’s how 95 became my magic number.


chasing a dream

I hike in the shadows

of personal grief

 

I went back in time to memories of family reunions along the Black River. We would rise early while the day was still cool. It was a long drive to Arcadia Valley.

We always took the scenic but treacherous Highway 21. So many fatal accidents have occurred on this road that a 28-mile stretch of it              is still called blood alley.

 

a twist here, a turn there

each of us praying

no one gets carsick

 

oncoming cars

Dad’s knuckles turn white

passing a cement truck