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Two RV Gypsies: Full-Time RVers
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The two RV Gypsies took a Segway tour at
Dogwood Canyon Nature Park
2038 West State Highway 86
Stone County - Lampe, Missouri 65681
phone '800.225.6343, option 1 (to book activities)
May 10, 2016

The two RV Gypsies ready for their 14th Segway tour - this time at Dogwood Canyon a super-cool way to experience the Nature Park! This was a round-trip tour (4 miles total) on beautiful trails to the Glory Hole, a blue-green pool where big trout reside. But first the two RV Gypsies listened to a safety speech, which is always a good thing, no matter how many times they have ridden on a Segway.

Karen Duquette ready for her 14th Segway ride Karen Duquette at Dogwood Canyon Nature Park

Karen Duquette does not bring her big camera on Segways, so Lee carries a small camera and snaps a lot of photos while gliding on his Segway. For some reason, the quality of these pictures was not quite as good as they normally are. There were a lot of backlighting situations. This entire place is so much more beautiful than these photos reflect.

Segway tour at Dogwood Canyon Nature Park Karen Duquette on her 14th Segway ride

Below: Long Pine Crossing Covered Bridge across Little Indian Creek in Dogwood Canyon Nature Park, Stone County, Missouri. The covered bridge was built by the Amish Community in 1992. Length 80 feet.

Long Pine Crossing Covered Bridge
Long Pine Crossing Covered Bridge and a waterfall the two RV Gypsies at Long Pine Crossing Covered Bridge
the two RV Gypsies at Long Pine Crossing Covered Bridge Karen Duquette riding the Segway through Lone Pine Crossing Covered Bridge

Below: The Hope Wilderness Chapel, completed in 2002, is a replica of traditional places of worship from the 1800’s. Handcrafted by Dogwood Canyon staff members, the chapel features local materials including native short-leaf pine logs, rough-sawn oak flooring and an eastern red cedar ceiling. The chapel’s back wall, made entirely of windows, frames a picturesque view of one of many waterfalls at Dogwood Canyon. This creates the ideal backdrop for your special day. The Wilderness Chapel seats 120 guests and is available for weddings, vow renewals, meetings, and special services.

Jim, the person giving the two RV Gypsies a Segway tour on this date also officiates the weddings held here. The winding staircase going down to the basement was closed off. The picture is blurry, but still interesting to note that the staircase exists.

The Hope Wilderness Chapel sprial staircase
panoramoa of the chapel patio and waterfall

Below: View of a waterfall behind the Chapel, as seen from the back balcony of the Chapel. Some weddings are even held on the patio below instead of inside of the church.

NOTE: (Karen Duquette's shirt lists all the places the two RV Gypsies have taken Segway tours. After the tour, she will add Dogwood Canyon onto the shirt - ride #14). She has made shirts in several different colors.

Karen Duquette and the waterfall behind the Wilderness Chapel the Wilderness Chapel

As the two RV Gypsies continued their Segway tour, many of the crossings were at the base of small waterfalls created by dams or “weirs” to provide oxygen flow for the trout. Lee snapped a few of them as he rode by.

waterfall at Dogwood Canyon Nature Park waterfall at Dogwood Canyon Nature Park
waterfall at Dogwood Canyon Nature Park waterfall at Dogwood Canyon Nature Park

The two RV Gypsies at Thunder Falls - (again backlighting)

The two RV Gypsies at Thunder Falls The two RV Gypsies at Thunder Falls
Thunder Falls at Dogwood Canyon Nature Park Thunder Falls at Dogwood Canyon Nature Park

Among the more fascinating archaeological sites in the canyon are several caves. Some were low on the ground such as the one shown below, and some were located high in the face of a steep bluff. Researchers located ancient Native American cave burials here during the creation of the park. The caves themselves are not open to the public, but can be seen from the tour road loading through the park.

cave cave

The Segways stopped for a view of Great Spirit Rock Shelter.

sign: Great Spirit Rock Shelter waterfall at Great Spirit Rock Shelter

Then the two RV Gypsies walked up to the spot shown in the photo below on the right, just under the waterfall.

waterfall at Great Spirit Rock Shelter waterfall at Great Spirit Rock Shelter

Of course, Karen Duquette had to feel the cool water as it dripped down the face of a stone wall.

Karen Duquette

The weather and sunlight position did not provide the perfect setting to capture the water glistening in the sunlight as it poured down the cliff from above, but nonetheless, the photos are still interesting.

waterfall at Great Spirit Rock Shelter waterfall at Great Spirit Rock Shelter

laughing clipart dudeKaren Duquette reached out towards the water flowing down in front of her. Of course she knew her arms weren't long enough to actually touch the water, but thought maybe a drop or two of water would jump her way.

Karen Duquette and waterfall at Great Spirit Rock Shelter Karen Duquette and waterfall at Great Spirit Rock Shelte
waterfall

From the cliff side, the two RV Gypsies thought the bridge across the way was amazing as its opening reflected into the creek and formed the illusion of a complete circle.

Bear Bridge the two RV Gypsies

Jim said the bridge is called Bear Bridge because one of the rocks in the center of the bridge looks like a bears face. However, it is hard to see in the photo below.

Bear Bridge

The two RV Gypsies forgot what Jim said the plant show below was called. If Jim goes on this website, hopefully he will e-mail the two RV Gypsies the name of this plant and the other one below. Anyway, he said it was good for someone who maybe got into poison ivy. Guess the two RV Gypsies need better memories.

plant plant

The two RV Gypsies also don't remember the name of this plant. But when it has berries, the berries are said to be edible, but the plant leaves would be poisonous. No thank you. The two RV Gypsies are not recommending anyone to eat anything mentioned on this page.

plant plant
cave

One of the highlights of the tour (besides riding a Segway) is the beautiful blue-green pool called The Glory Hole - a beautiful pool of clear water fed by a waterfall. Jim gave the two RV Gypsies time to get off their Segways and they explored the scenic spot and climbed a few stairs to the overlook.

sign: Glory Hole - no fishing
Glory Hole waterfall Glory Hole waterfall

The unique, natural coloring is created by the water depth and the reflection of light.?

Glory Hole waterfall
Glory Hole waterfall

No fishing is allowed in this special place, so the giant rainbow trout grow to unbelievable lengths.

rainbow trout rainbow trout
Glory Hole waterfall Glory Hole waterfall
Glory Hole waterfall Glory Hole waterfall

Across from the Glory Hole, is an area where Karen Duquette fed the fish. It was really funny because as soon as the fish food hit the water, dozens of fish were in a frenzy to eat, and water actually splashed up on Karen.

Karen Duquette feeding the rainbow trout Karen Duquette feeding the rainbow trout
rainbow trout rainbow trout

Below: Turtle Rock Bridge. This was a bumpy ride on the Segway and the two RV Gypsies had to ride very slowly across it because Jim said sometimes the bounciness could cause the Segway to shut off. Of course, that did not happen to the two RV Gypsies.

Turtle Rock Bridge Turtle Rock Bridge

At the end of the tour, there was a big boulder shaped like a buffalo. Karen wanted a picture with their tour guide, Jim. Then Jim took a photo of the two RV Gypsies "riding the buffalo".

Karen Duquette and the Segway tour guide the two RV Gypsies

The ride back was non-stop, and the two RV Gypsies glided on their Segways at a faster speed. This was a trip with really amazing scenery. Jim was a wonderful tour guide, and the two RV Gypsies really enjoyed every second of the tour. They did not know that the park also offers an "Advanced tour" which is longer, or they would have signed up for that. They did not see any mention of that in brochures or on the internet, and Jim only mentioned it at the end of this trip. Oh well, the two RV Gypsies will remember this if they get back in this area again. Thanks Jim!

Menu for the two RV Gypsies in Branson, Missouri
You may view these adventures in any order your choose.
May 8 - 9 - 10, 2016
(Note: There is also a link to St. Joseph Missouri below.)

bullet Branson View Campground

bullet Branson (in and around the city)

bullet Branson Landing

bullet Dogwood Canyon in Lampe and a Segway tour (this page)

bullet Inspiration Tower

bullet Acrobats of Shanghai

bullet Illusionist Rick Thomas and the two RV Gypsies on stage
- unbelievably amazing, awesome

bullet flashback to Branson in 2006
(Including Inspiration Tower)

look below for more navigational options