A few shots from our trip to Big Spring in Van Buren MO!

Big Spring became one of Missouri's first state parks when it was donated by the people in 1924. It is also one of the three biggest springs in the United States, with over 286 million gallons of water flowing out of it daily.

Along with the spring and a few great trails to hike, there are also camp grounds, and some lovely depression era cabins and walkways on site. These are the places where history lives still in my area of the world. This is the first building you see as you are driving into the park, which I assume used to be a ranger or welcome station. But isn't it just beautiful!?!?!

There was another building they called the Dinning Hall but it was unfortunately closed because of what seemed like flood damage. So we weren't able to go inside. Non the less, the spring and river itself was plenty of beauty for us. We checked out the spring and walked a trail that wound around the spring.

They used to believe that the springs around here were medicinal in ways, and I don't think that's far from the truth. The water is cold and helps with aches and pains, plus there just seems to be something so clean and clear about the air that just makes you feel so much better. But that's nature for you, now isn't it. ;)

The walkways and paths here are very well taken care of and laid with either natural stones found from the land or beautiful wooden bridges to help you cross those low lying flood creeks. There was also a big hollow tree close to a boat dock that my husband and oldest son were trying to cram my youngest son in... Haha! Boys will be boys, I suppose! I was quite surprised at how big the hole was and how deep it went.

I am a nature lover and it's times like this that really show me how beautiful it really is around here, and just how lucky I am to live so close to such beauty. I also look forward to doing some camping here soon!

You can learn more about Big Spring here!