Camdenton Airshow

	We have very good friends. This weekend our good friends Curtis and his kids Bud & Lexi with Matt & Erin and their son Mason asked us to go to the Lake of the Ozarks to a condo for the weekend.  Saturday was an airshow in Camdenton.  It couldn't have been a better weekend to be outside.  The sky was clear, the sun was warm and the adventure was new for you.
The condo was on the lake's edge with a lovely view of boat docks, but the view on the balcony was much better.  Just watching you experience new things warms my heart.  You spent a good portion of the time inside trying to climb the full staircase to the 2nd floor.  You did make it all the way up unassisted, but going down in another matter.  It is much scarier when you have to look down.  After this weekend you will have no problems with stairs.  You are the stair master (of going up).
We walked through this cargo/passenger carrier	The Jet Truck
We spent a good part of the day at the airshow, packed a picnic lunch and enjoyed the show.  You and Mason (2 yrs old) played and were happy to be able to walk freely where we parked.  You and Mommy rested a while in the car after lunch while Daddy went to watch that silly jet truck.  We headed back to the condo after that to start supper and relax.  You had no trouble going to sleep that night.  Neither did Mommy and Daddy as we snuggled in on either side of you.  You had a good time at the condo.  We'll have to do it again.

The Swinging Bridge Adventure

	The adventure begins the night before with some research.  The following day  is forecast to be low to mid 80's, sunny and beautiful.  We plan a low budget outing to Lake of the Ozarks State Park to explore parts of it we have never seen before.   The plan is to pack some food and drink, fill up the car and drive a new route to the South East corner of the park.  The countryside is so beautiful in the southern half of Missouri.  We take a highway to a county paved road to a gravel road.  This bridge is off the beaten path, but there were a few people there enjoying it's beauty.  We go across a small bridge made of cable, iron and wooden planks.  The "best" part of this one was the material on the driving surface was corrugated steel.  You know, the wavy metal used for barn or shed siding and roofs.  Samantha enjoyed it.  She was making and ahh noise so it sounded like she was talking into a fan.  Paul and I were glad to be off of it. As we rounded a corner, we saw the bigger bridge; the one I had seen pictures of on the internet.  It did not disappoint.  It stretched over a small finger of the lake with wide gravel beaches.  There was access to the water and primitive camping just after the bridge were a man and his small son were playing with a remote controlled car on the rocky terrain.  We parked near the water to take it all in.  Daddy took Miss Samantha over the uneven ground while I took pictures.  We were able to walk all the way down and underneath the bridge.  The view from underneath this 90 year old bridge was a sight to behold.  The picture to the left does not do it justice.  A design like this really tests the bounds of physics.  To know that a full size SUV can travel on a bridge made well before vehicles became so large.  Spectacular.  For more info on the 2 bridges check out this link: SWINGING BRIDGES, BRUMLEY, MO Once under the bridge, we found a nice open area to let Samantha explore.  No doubt an area created by the many footsteps of visitors before us.  She checked out the ripples in the water and the foliage nearby.  Watching her reaction to every new environment fills my heart with joy.   We left that area to go back down into the water.  I can't be that close to clear water and not put my feet in.  I wear sandals for a reason.  The gravel is small enough that we let Samantha have a look around.  She was wearing her brand "new" Nike shoes, blue jeans, t-shirt and hat. My girl, comfy, casual & ready to explore, not to mention the sunscreen applied to every spot of exposed skin. We were able to see 3 blue herons hunting for their next meal.  We were about 50 yards from one of the herons while it took flight.  Such a beautiful place, we'll have return with our tent and gear to do some fishing, swimming and enjoy the view of the bridge next summer.  Samantha will be 2 1/2 years old next summer and will be unstoppable.  Maybe Samantha and her grandma and grandpa can spend a weekend together while Paul and I have a quiet weekend at this jewel of a spot.  Hmmm....that sounds good.  I don't know, Samantha sure is fun to be around.  We'll just have to wait and see.