I'm so happy to be here with you while Clare is on her incredible adventure.
One of my favorite red barns, on last week's Sunday afternoon drive route.
For the last 10 years, with my husband and now two daughters, I've made my home in the southwest part of Missouri, a part of the United States where life runs at a slightly slower pace than you'll find in large American cities. Small farms dot the landscape of outlying areas, and picturesque red barns are easily spotted on hobby farms and acreages just minutes from town. Last weekend, I drove by one of my favorite red barns in the area, & snapped these photos with my phone.
The red barn, above, sits next to a double pond divided by a red & white painted bridge.
Missourians are, in general, fiercely independent people. They are adventurers at heart, too, and their love for the outdoors is second-nature. I have a feeling Clare would love them.
Around here, ample rivers & lakes play host to a favorite regional pastime-- canoeing & kayaking. In the last few years, my husband has become an avid kayaker spending hours in winter and summer, even in snow and ice, kayaking on a nearby lake. I am not nearly that committed to the sport but will occasionally go along for a leisurely paddle. If you're a very casual paddler, take these tips from me for a smooth ride: 1) Go in a tandem boat. 2) Sit in the seat that offers the least steering & power capability. 3) Take an avid paddler with you who won't mind paddling double-duty for a few (or more) strokes. 4) Take a camera, even an iPhone will work. When you're showing off your photos to your friends, no one will suspect you were a complete free-loader in the boat.
When I took these photos a few weeks ago, my husband & I were paddling the Passat G3, a tandem kayak made by Seaward Kayaks in British Columbia, Canada. It's a fantastic boat, both swift and stable. We'd made a make-shift seat in the center hatch for our 3-year-old daughter who happily wiggled and danced & generally did her level best to flip us the entire trip.
From the larger area of the lake where we began, we paddled into narrower, shallow areas that lead to a nature reserve. Here joggers & walkers join the bird watchers and photographers on foot trails hoping to spot white-tail deer & birds, & sometimes the occasional bald eagle during the right season.
This small white-tail doe eyed me while I interrupted her dinner.
The little doe, now hiding from me. You can just see her flank through the brush.
I hope you've enjoyed this little peak into my part of the world as much as I've enjoyed telling about it.
You can often find me here on this blog in the comments section, chatting with Clare. You can also find me at my blog, Ivy Clad.
Cheers!
Keri
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Thank you, Keri, your pictures of kayaking in Missouri and the red farmyard barn are spectacular! I really hope to visit some day.
Please pop by Ivy Clad and say hi to Keri. You'll see her magnificent gardens and more on life in Missouri, USA.
Back soon from my South American adventure!
Clare x
