Cover Story
Desirable destinations
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STORIES BY AL & CONNYE GRIFFIN PHOTOGRAPHY BY AL GRIFFIN
s summer winds down, many of us are looking for something to do that’s close to home but feels like a getaway. Fall colors will be in full bloom and the weather will be perfect. So
what’s holding you back from taking a trip? We’ve cover everything from romantic and historic to family-friendly and outdoorsy. THE BACKCOUNTRY Peck Ranch, the Current River, and the Roger Pryor Pioneer Backcountry near Echo Bluff State Park are gateways to Missouri’s natural beauty and openair challenges. Just south of Salem and near Eminence, these three outdoor places will let you lose your daily cellphone cares and fi nd your inner strengths. In something under three hours from Lake of the Ozarks, hikers, bikers, and paddlers will breathe in the scent of oak, hickory, and pine forests. Peck Ranch and Elk With more than 23,000 acres, Peck Ranch off ers habitat for elk and a variety of terrain for hikers and bikers. Rocky glades, grasslands, and elevations above 1,000 feet challenge outdoorsmen and women. They will almost certainly see wild turkey and songbirds. You might spy shy whitetail deer and majestic elk. Roger Pryor Pioneer Backcountry Adjacent to Echo Bluff State Park is the privately owned but state managed Roger Pryor Pioneer Backcountry for hiking and backpacking. The rugged, natural setting carries people into a past when horses and hikers traveled the ground. Today, however, mountain bikers also take advantage of Backcountry’s trails. To date, there are 27 miles of trail in the largely undeveloped 60,000
acres — plenty of space in which to hear birds and breezes instead of road noise. The luckiest hikers will encounter the well-known wild horse herd, descended from early settlers. The Current River The Roger Pryor Pioneer Backcountry includes three creeks and 15 miles of Current River frontage where travelers can see trees dating back to the 17th century. The waters of the Current are considered to be among the fi nest for canoes, kayaks, and rafts. These are available to rent for a day trip or even an overnight with camping spots along the shore. Lodging for Days on the Ranch or River If camping under the stars in all kinds of weather isn’t an option, then the Current River and Echo Bluff State parks are good choices. The Current River lodge dates back to the 1930s, providing a glimpse of last-century architecture. Echo Bluff Lodge is new and modern. The cabins and rooms are well-appointed, especially for Autumn temperatures. Rooms have gas fi replaces for warmth and romance. A Bit of Glamour on the Way to Outdoor Spaces Routes from the lake will pass through one of Missouri’s wine districts.
20 | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2021 | LAKE LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE
The city of St. James, home to St. James Winery, will celebrate the grape and fall September 2nd through the 6th. Heinrichshaus Winery’s annual festival featuring wine and food is September 28. Rolla’s Public House Brewing Company with locations in Rolla and St. James will celebrate Oktoberfest on September 25. On October 9th, Rolla will host homecoming for Missouri University Science and Technology and on the
