As a teacher, some family adventures are with your school family. Today I went with the 7th grade class to our state capitol building.
Missouri State Capitol, Jefferson City
Our state representative met us, and we sat in on the House meeting, visited the Secretary of State’s office, visited the Senate chambers, and went on the whispering gallery and dome tour. Our state representative also fed us lunch.
It’s a long way to the top!
We got a lot accomplished in the short time that we were there, and the seemingly endless staircases provided lots of steps toward my daily step goal.
It’s the one we’ve been waiting for. I’d originally planned to travel to a neighboring town for totality, but then I saw that we could view 99.7% totality from our own backyard.
12:39 p.m. taken through the eclipse glasses
We played outside through the duration, occasionally glancing up through the eclipse glasses.
1:55 p.m., 99.7% totality
The sky was darker than what it appeared in the pictures. First, it looked hazy, and then we were filled with a different kind of light. It was white, like the moonlight.
It wasn’t easy to get pictures, but it was awesome to see with our kids and our babygrands – a wonder that we’ll not soon forget.
We like to float in March to celebrate our anniversary. The one thing about March is that you never know if you’re going to get warm weather or cold weather. We woke up to clouds and temperatures in the 50’s, but the wind was blowing, so it was a little chilly.
Ready for takeoff.
It was 10:30 a.m. by the time we launched from Pulltite. We had the river totally to ourselves – with the exception of the critters that live there. We floated to Round Spring, and it was a great float. The sun even decided to come out before we reached the journey’s end!
This year’s Carleigh gift for us and Z was passes to Silver Dollar City. Today we went for our first visit in quite a few years. Z had no idea that we had secretly arranged to meet up with his best friends from Kansas.
That moment when you “accidentally” run into your best friend after not seeing each other in person for nearly four years!
We had a lot of fun catching up with our old friends and riding lots of rides together. The Three “Z” Amigos were particularly fond of The Great American Plunge, and rode it multiple times.
We also got to ride the new and improved Fire in the Hole, which is now a much smoother ride.
I enjoyed the atmosphere and smells at SDC, and I sure have missed it after all these years! Of course we had to pick up some salt water taffy before we left.
The root beer taffy is my favorite!
I’m already looking forward to many more adventures there throughout the rest of the year!
It’s that time of year again! We headed out with Jason and Juliet for our yearly fall float tradition. We watched the sun rise on the way there, and the fall colors didn’t disappoint.
Clear water, cool reflection.
The morning started out a little chilly, but for the first time on a fall float, we were actually removing layers before the trip ended.
We saw a deer, as well as some bald eagles along the river at our old standby, Pulltite to Round Spring.
Heading for the final stretch.
After kayaking in winter last year, I expect that this will be our last float of 2023… unless the elusive sticky snow happens to grace us before then. A sticky snow float is definitely on our kayaking bucket list!
M had been wanting to go kayaking, so today we headed out for a summer float. Her mom and sisters had been wanting to kayak too, so they all came along for the adventure.
Sisters on a float.
Even her younger brother came, which was fun for Z, because he had someone to hang out with.
Boys will be boys!
It was a great day for floating, even if we did get some rain along the way!
When there’s a 60° day in February, you have to take advantage of it! The morning started off chilly – in the low 30’s – but by the time we reached the river, it had warmed considerably.
We set off at just after 10 a.m. at Pulltite Campground.
The sky was blue and the sun was shining. Occasionally we would get a gust of chilly wind, but the sun helped keep us from getting too cold.
Winter landscape.
We had a bald eagle sighting, as well as a muskrat and two otters. Also, this time we didn’t have the river to ourselves. Another couple was taking advantage of the nice day just like we were.
My main squeeze.
We discussed how everything pretty much looks the same in the winter – especially when you float the same section of river over and over. You never want to flip a kayak, but you definitely don’t want to flip one during the winter months! Pulltite to Round Spring is the section where we feel least likely to flip, so we keep choosing it.
The journey’s end.
It doesn’t seem that out sticky snow float will get to happen this year. I’m ready for the leaves to come back anyway. We want to explore the Lower Current this year and are hoping our friends will be our tour guides.
It’s not guaranteed that you’ll get a nice January weekend day, so when the chance arrives, you go for it.
Takeoff from Pulltite Landing at 10:24 a.m.
It was windy, but with multiple layers, I was totally comfortable. I didn’t even have the mitten part of my gloves closed. I was very glad I remembered my CC beanie though.
Clouds, but no rain!
We had one bald eagle sighting on the way to the river, as well as one while we were on the river. We also saw a couple of river otters swimming and playing.
Today we went for our first ever December float. It was 28° outside when we left the house and 30° by the time we got to the river. I listened to Christmas music on the drive there.
Ready for smooth sailing…
We chose to float Pulltite to Round Spring. It’s familiar, and in my opinion, the easiest section of the river. Today was a day we definitely wouldn’t want to flip a kayak!
The eagle takes flight…
We had multiple bald eagle sightings. We even saw two on the way to the river. Today we had the entire river to ourselves. There were no other floaters in sight.
Our eagle escort…
As the morning progressed, the sun warmed things up to a balmy 40°. It was another great day to be on the river. We hope to have the opportunity to take our first snow float later this winter.
It’s hard to believe that it’s been three years since we discovered that we love kayaking! What started as a family float in Summer 2020 with us sharing a canoe has turned into so much more.
Since then we did our first fall float that year in kayaks in 39° weather, purchased John’s kayak the next fall and then mine this past spring, and have had many more kayaking adventures.
Today was no different. We set out at just before 9 a.m. with our friends. Temps were in the low 40’s and it was a bit chilly – especially considering that we didn’t think to wear or bring jackets!
Juliet and the Dapper Dotty.
The fall colors didn’t disappoint, and Juliet and I enjoyed taking in the sights and sounds of the river, while listening to our guys swap stories.
Our guys “shootin’ the bull…” 🤣
One of the things I love most about fall floats, other than the company of good friends and the fall colors, are the numerous bald eagle sightings.
This guy escorted us down the river.
As the morning progressed, the sun warmed us and it ended up being a really great float from Pulltite to Round Spring. Normally John and I stop at the Upper Landing, but this time we floated to the Lower Landing. The photos really don’t show the beauty of the leaves.
A day on the river is the best day.
We’re already looking forward to the November float. You can bet we won’t be forgetting our jackets for that one!
Travel With the Fam 