Tuesday, November 19, 2024

Rock Bridge Memorial State Park

I was 1 of 4 finalist for a public art opportunity in the Denver Area (which I didn't get).  I was paid a small stipend to present my proposal in person.  So, I decided to make a small vacation out of the trip (as I hadn't been anywhere in a long time except maybe the grocery).
After an 8 hour drive west, I left the freeway at Columbia, Missouri and found Rock Bridge Park.  I took the first parking area and went for a 2 mile hike (which felt good after driving all day).  I was disappointed as there was nothing like the pictures that I'd seen on google.  It looked like some of the trails near my house in Yellowbank Wildlife Area.

I tried a 2nd parking area and met a group of young people (probably from the nearby U of M).  They showed me this map and pointed to the place I wanted to see.

This is called "Devil's Ice Box".

It's a portion of a collapsed cave with a shallow stream flowing through it.

There's a low stone dam at the top end of the cave.

This is the view looking back the way that I came.

There's a couple real short passages on either side in the center of the cave.

As I climbed over the dam, my eye was caught by the chisel mark patterns on the old stones.

This is the view from the other side.

As I headed back, I saw these stairs...

going up and up...

...until I was way up above the cave entrance.  It was an enjoyable experience - a fun place to explore (and free!).

 

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