Finding unexpected gems among these winding Ozark roads

We left Branson heading east, something that we have never done before (as we're usually heading west back towards Oklahoma). We soon found out that this route is filled with more of those winding Ozark Mountain highways. It takes a long time to get anywhere when your speed limit is 25 miles per hour through continuous curves. We went even slower in our big motor home towing a pickup.

We got rain more than once while we were staying in Branson, and we saw more evidence of the flooding here in southern Missouri. This river-side park's buildings had only their roofs showing above the flood water.

Have we mentioned that the roads were twisty and narrow? With the outside white line on the edge of the asphalt, there isn't any margin for error going around those curves and meeting other vehicles. This was when Denisa decided it was time to wash the breakfast dishes that we had left in the sink this morning. She wasn't doing any good watching this road, and if she stood with a wide stance she didn't fall over even once while washing dishes.

The bridges were equally narrow, and we met the only other RV on this road while crossing a river. You would have to be crazy to take an RV on highway 160 across the southern section of Missouri!

So we weren't surprised when we were the only RV checking in at a deserted Rocky Top Campground. The owner was delightful, and she gave us some good advice for a tour of the area. She had a map, and highlighted stops for us. So we got the motor home settle into its spot and took off in the pickup. Our first stop on our map was at Caney Mountain Conservation Area. We pulled off the narrow highway onto an even narrower dirt road to find an old homestead.

We were greeted by a woodchuck that paused for a picture before scampering back under that old house. It's nice to have a little nature to welcome us to the conservation area!

Without any advice, or any phone signal, we blindly headed up the gravel road ahead.

We forded more than a dozen water crossings, but the road surface was always good in our eight-mile loop around the park.

The only other wildlife sighting was this critter, scampering through the tall grass. One of us thinks that it is just a common raccoon, and the other is hoping for something more unusual. What do you think?

The loop outlined for us includes several unexpected treasures among these winding Ozark mountain roads. Some of the gems included grist mills that were powered by the water coming out of fresh water springs. Our next stop on the map was the Zanoni Mill. Now on private property, we got a picture from a distance.

Further down the road, our next unexpected gem was the favorite of the day--Hodgson Water Mill!

While Mark took a fancy picture of Denisa and the mill with the spring water blurred, Denisa opted for a simpler picture of Mark in front of the mill. 

We read later that this is the most photographed mill in Missouri, and we certainly see why.

We were the only ones there today, but we tried our best to keep the number of photos up for this mill. It's situated along a curvy little road in the backwoods of Missouri, and it was certainly a fun gem to find.

Our campground owner also told us that the Hodgson Mill Company is still alive and well, and they use a likeness of this mill in their logo.

We discovered on-line that they make everything from buckwheat pancake mix to oat bran cereal to rye flour to . . 

Mark discovered that the wheel can still turn at this old mill.

He also discovered a cave opening behind the mill, and of course he had to explore.

It was dark and drippy inside, and the ceiling was beginning to form stalactites. Denisa was content to stay outside and take her photos.

Our next stop was across the one-lane "Patrick's Bridge." No problem with meeting traffic on this bridge, as we saw almost no one on this little-known drive in the back country.

We parked the pickup, and went in search of Althea Spring. We are discovering why Missouri is known for its caves and its springs. We found the little trail that took us to the spring, with its turquoise blue pool.

From the looks of that tranquil pool, it's hard to recognize how much water is pouring out of Althea springs. But when we walked just a few more yards down the trail, we found a man-made waterfall that once housed a generator wheel. This spring puts out enough water to provide electricity to the family that once lived here.

The rivers that are fed by these cold clear springs are just as cold and clear. White River would make a nice kayak trip if we were staying longer.

Our last stop on our 50-mile winding loop was the "Old Dawt Mill." Closer to a highway, this one has been refurbished into a restaurant. They also have an old house converted into a bed and breakfast, and a river float trip. Only the bravest paddlers would be floating these cold waters this early, so it was quiet at Dawt Mill this evening.

We had planned to stay longer in this area, but the rainy forecast has hurried our itinerary. But we enjoyed our trip of finding unexpected gems among these winding Ozark roads.