Missouri Photo Trip 1 - North Bank of Missouri River from I70 South to Jefferson City

Date: 30 August, 2010

Objective

New shots of the Missouri River and of features along its banks and flood plain in Central Missouri

Trip summary

Using available roads to get as close to the Missouri River as possible is quite a challenge. You have to be prepared to drive away from the river many times and look for other access roads to reach the river in new places. Active services are few and far between.

It takes about 1.5 to 2 hours to get to the starting point at the Rocheport Exit on Interstate 70 (great view of the Missouri from the bridge but has anyone the courage to stop and take a picture?)

Much of the river's flood plain lies in conservation areas which are quiet in late August but presumably will hum with waterfowl,and bird watchers/hunters in 6 to 8 weeks time. What herons and other waterfowl you see now are quite 'twitchy' and see you coming a mile away.

If you go be prepared to drive some gravel roads - generally they are in good condition - but some are quite narrow so pray that you do not meet too many trucks. I met one on East Hartzburg Bottom Road, and my Mini Cooper and a phone company truck barely squeezed by each other.

Results

In more or less chronological order,first a nice barn. I have eradicated the inevitable barbed wire (thank you Photoshop CS5), and desaturated the colors somewhat in this shot.

Second a vista of the Missouri River from Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area. I painted out some soft drink cans. I noticed some river cliffs on the other side, they must be around Lupus, Missouri - a target for another trip?

Third, two nice shots in Hartzburg of the Baptist Church, and a store front (almost inevitably in these parts stores with attractive fronts have little or no activity going on inside).

Fifth, a sepia toned black and white picture of an old

railway

bridge, now part of the KATY trail, from the East Hartzburg Bottom Road.

Finally, a shot of trumpet creeper flowers taken at Hartzburg Landing on the Missouri, it could have been taken almost anywhere in Missouri, but nevertheless a nice picture.

My Ratings

The trip

a two and half out of five as the scenery is pleasant, three for

photos themselves. All in all, not a bad trip as long as

you

can avoid

spending

too much time on State Highway 69 and in the suburbs of Columbia.

All these photos are on my web site, but they could hardly be more scattered between the albums. Click on the link in the discussion of a photo and you will be take directly to its album. There you will be able to view larger images, send E-cards of them (no charge), and purchase prints and note cards.