Why does everyone think Missouri is flat? (Springfield, Ozark: house, schools)

[imbored198824]

The part of Missouri I live in is anything but flat. Some roads are even shut down during snow. They are called the ozark "mountains" for a reason.

[GunnerTHB]

Go on google streetview and go down to U.S. 60 between Dexter & Sikeston. That is flat.

[nealrm]

Originally Posted by Hazel W

How about the views around the Ste. Genevieve area? I don't mean in Ste. Genevieve but a large area from Rolla northward past Ste. Genevieve and westward. There are fantastic areas there for exploring and quite a geological history. Did you know we have an ancient (and dead, thank goodness) volcano there? It's all magnificent. Wish I lived in that area and had a car. Maybe a jeep?

I think you are confusing Rolla with something else. Rolla is in the center of the state due west of Ste Genevieve. However the area southeast of Ste Genevieve is interesting. Taum Sauk is suspected to be the core of an ancient volcano. The are also the remains of 3 calhidra style volcanoes. One formed Johnson Shut-ins, one formed Elephant rocks and one is just west of Farmington. Another interesting point is that the Ozark mountains are the oldest mountain range in the US and some of the oldest features on the planet. They were already millions of years old before the Rockies even started to form.

[nealrm]

Originally Posted by GunnerTHB

Go on google streetview and go down to U.S. 60 between Dexter & Sikeston. That is flat.

I worked in Dexter during the last flood. All you could see from horizon to horizon was water and hwy 60 sticking about 4 inches above it.

[GunnerTHB]

Originally Posted by nealrm

I worked in Dexter during the last flood. All you could see from horizon to horizon was water and hwy 60 sticking about 4 inches above it.

Yep. The whole area used to be a huge swamp before the levee's were built.

[Hazel W]

Originally Posted by nealrm

I think you are confusing Rolla with something else. Rolla is in the center of the state due west of Ste Genevieve. However the area southeast of Ste Genevieve is interesting. Taum Sauk is suspected to be the core of an ancient volcano. The are also the remains of 3 calhidra style volcanoes. One formed Johnson Shut-ins, one formed Elephant rocks and one is just west of Farmington. Another interesting point is that the Ozark mountains are the oldest mountain range in the US and some of the oldest features on the planet. They were already millions of years old before the Rockies even started to form.

Right. I was meaning that whole general area. Ste. Genevieve stays in my mind because of a recent visit there. But it's the countryside to the west and running north/south that I meant. Isn't there a dinosaur park somewhere out there? Some such that we pass on our way down from St Louis. And Tom Sauk is the highest point in the state. Right? A beautiful view from there. Really breathtaking for someone who doesn't much like heights -- me.

Well, lets just say that southeast quadrant of Missouri. I have a photograph of the Johnson Shut-ins on my wall. It was taken by the photographer with Missouri Conservationist magazine. I'll not try spelling his name without the magazine beside me so I can get it right. He does wonderful photography of Missouri. I also have one that he did of Missouri's famous burr oak. I wonder how much longer that ancient tree can last.

Thanks for filling us in on the volcanoes. I knew about the Shut-ins. Didn't know that about Tom Sauk.

[michigan83]

Originally Posted by nealrm

NY is nice during the 3 weeks of summer, and the foliage color is great in the late summer. However, they can keep the 9 months of winter.

I like the weather in SE Missouri. Long summers, long falls and mild winters. The seasons still change here as opposed to further south. I am an hours drive from the mountains and from the open sky plains.

9 months of winter... LOL. More like four (our seasons here are similar to upstate NY). And of those four winter months, I really like two of them (December and January). It's nice to have snow during the holidays. And it could be argued that the summer months are much more enjoyable up north. We really have two truly crappy months in my opinion, February and March. But February is only crappy if there's no snow, because then it's just bone-chilling cold, and everything is brown and dead without the beautiful snow cover.

Watch, I can do the same thing:

Southern Missouri? 9 months of summer, humidity and bugs? No thanks!

[Hazel W]

Originally Posted by michigan83

Watch, I can do the same thing:

Southern Missouri? 9 months of summer, humidity and bugs? No thanks!

Bugs? We don't have bugs! We have insects! Big difference!

Funny about the humidity. When I lived in the Ozarks, I never noticed it. But, in the city? Oh, yes! All the buildings seem to increase the misery. And the trees - the beautiful trees of St Louis - do cut off the breezes that might cool us a bit.

[nealrm]

Originally Posted by Hazel W

Right. I was meaning that whole general area. Ste. Genevieve stays in my mind because of a recent visit there. But it's the countryside to the west and running north/south that I meant. Isn't there a dinosaur park somewhere out there? Some such that we pass on our way down from St Louis. And Tom Sauk is the highest point in the state. Right? A beautiful view from there. Really breathtaking for someone who doesn't much like heights -- me.

Well, lets just say that southeast quadrant of Missouri. I have a photograph of the Johnson Shut-ins on my wall. It was taken by the photographer with Missouri Conservationist magazine. I'll not try spelling his name without the magazine beside me so I can get it right. He does wonderful photography of Missouri. I also have one that he did of Missouri's famous burr oak. I wonder how much longer that ancient tree can last.

Thanks for filling us in on the volcanoes. I knew about the Shut-ins. Didn't know that about Tom Sauk.

Taum Sauk does have a great view. The park opened a new viewing station the is just a little ways from the high point. Also if you take the trail from Taum Sauk it leads to Mina Sauk falls. The fall is best seen in the spring or just after wet weather. There are a series of pools at the top and a breath-taking view. The hike is moderate, but you should wear boots and bring water. The path is well marked but rocky.

Also, for those noting the flatness of the boot heel. You should know that is flat, because it was literally made flat. Before the Little river drainage district was formed in 1907, the boot hill was a swamp. We are talking a swamp in every sense of the word. Water covered most of the ground, the higher ground was wet and it was mostly tree covered. Check out Mingo National Wildlife Reserve for photos and details. The district was the largest drainage project attempt at that time, draining a half a million acres of swamp and turning it into the cropland you see there today.

@michigan83 - I think you and I define winter differently (LOL). I lived several years just south of you. Winter started when you had to put on a coat in late Sept / Oct and ended in late May when you could take it off. But I'm glad you enjoy the "summer" up there. I do like visiting the Michigan during the summer, it is a chance to cool off and take in some good "Fall" weather. (Please take jokingly)

[Hazel W]

Originally Posted by nealrm

Taum Sauk does have a great view. The park opened a new viewing station the is just a little ways from the high point. Also if you take the trail from Taum Sauk it leads to Mina Sauk falls. The fall is best seen in the spring or just after wet weather. There are a series of pools at the top and a breath-taking view. The hike is moderate, but you should wear boots and bring water. The path is well marked but rocky.

Also, for those noting the flatness of the boot heel. You should know that is flat, because it was literally made flat. Before the Little river drainage district was formed in 1907, the boot hill was a swamp. We are talking a swamp in every sense of the word. Water covered most of the ground, the higher ground was wet and it was mostly tree covered. Check out Mingo National Wildlife Reserve for photos and details. The district was the largest drainage project attempt at that time, draining a half a million acres of swamp and turning it into the cropland you see there today.

@michigan83 - I think you and I define winter differently (LOL). I lived several years just south of you. Winter started when you had to put on a coat in late Sept / Oct and ended in late May when you could take it off. But I'm glad you enjoy the "summer" up there. I do like visiting the Michigan during the summer, it is a chance to cool off and take in some good "Fall" weather. (Please take jokingly)

Do you know why the boot heel is in Missouri? At one time, they had a lot of malaria in Arkansas. So, those people in that area (the boot heel now) petitioned to be taken into Missouri.

I had a friend who lived in Upper Michigan. He said he never went to Lower Michigan because it was too crowded. He loved Upper Michigan where you could "get away from it all".