Bowers Hollow
This particular part of the Ozark mountain range is perhaps notable for the harder band of stone that is present on nearly every mountain. Because it didn't wear or erode as fast as other layers, it forms a band at about the same elevation on every mountain and as one might expect, if full of waterfalls as well as making it difficult to navigate at times when crossing this natural boundary.
As many do in this area, we often hike the various hollows looking for this boundary layer and potential waterfalls. In this case, this waterfall is known and published though as of yet, not visited very often as it is off the beaten path. It is referred to as Bowers Hollow Falls.
As far as waterfalls go, it is a classic among them. We had the entire place to ourselves as we ate our packed lunch and admired it's beauty before hiking back.
I am reminded of the long Niagara escarpment being formed by a layer of hard caprock abutting softer rock.
ReplyDeleteVery similar indeed, though most of these falls only see water after a rain. Much of the year they are dry and one has to use your imagination. Sometimes when seeing driftwood snags 20 feet up in nearby trees, the imagination runs pretty wild!
DeleteThat's a beautiful waterfall. Years ago I went to one in Texas, near Austin, that had similar-looking geology.
ReplyDeleteI'm guessing the same geology is probably quite common around the world.
DeleteIt was this one -- Hamilton Pool.
Deletehttps://parks.traviscountytx.gov/parks/hamilton-pool-preserve
That's a beautiful mix of scenery! I love waterfalls.
ReplyDeleteThey are hard to beat for relaxing and taking minds off the world around.
DeleteVery pretty!
ReplyDeleteI thought so too.
DeleteLovely, Ed. Made better by the lack of people!
ReplyDeleteAlways!
DeleteThat really is beautiful and how special to have a "private showing!"
ReplyDeleteIt is getting harder to do as the National River becomes more popular.
DeleteToo bad it was too cold for you to go swimming. Such a great family outing!
ReplyDeleteEven if it was warmer, it was probably a great way to pick up a lot of leeches.
DeleteLooks peaceful, Ed. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteIt was a peaceful place.
DeleteNice photos and the hole at the bottom could be an enjoyable spot for a swim (if there's enough water) in the summer.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure how deep it was as the water was kind of cloudy due to a recent rain event.
DeleteDear Ed,
ReplyDeleteI am relieved to confirm that this afternoon's shootings at Perry High School did not happen in your part of Iowa and so your daughters are presumably very safe... but I bet it makes you think. All schools should be safe places.
Best wishes,
Neil
Your comment is the first I've heard about it. I don't dwell much on these sorts of things. From 2000 to 2021, there were 108 deaths due to shootings in our school systems. Less than 6 per year. Compare that to the 15,000+ children that die every year in the act of being born. I teach my kids to not buy into hysteria while being prepared should the odds strike them. But yes, it would be nice if even six kids a year didn't have to die by homicide on school grounds.
DeleteVery soothing way to bring in the New Year.
ReplyDeleteWe actually were back home by the New Year but it was definitely relaxing.
DeleteThis is beautiful. It really reminds me of Illinois' Starved Rock State Park. We used to take the kids hiking there when they were little. I didn't even think about why the rock layers were formed that way. Thank you for this fun information.
ReplyDeleteI have not heard of that park but will have to look it up. It has a very interesting name.
DeleteI just got this off of Wikipedia: "There are various local legends about how Starved Rock got its name. The most popular is a tale of revenge for the assassination of Ottawa leader Pontiac, who was killed in Cahokia on April 20, 1769, by an Illinois Confederation warrior. According to the legend, the Ottawa, along with their allies the Potawatomi, avenged Pontiac's death by attacking a band of Illiniwek along the Illinois River. The Illiniwek climbed to the butte to seek refuge, but their pursuers besieged the rock until the tribe starved to death, thereby giving the place the name "Starved Rock". The legend sometimes maintains, falsely, that this resulted in the complete extermination of the Illiniwek. Apart from oral history, there is no historical evidence that the siege happened. An early written report of the legend was related by Henry Schoolcraft in 1825."
DeleteIt is a beautiful hike though and the kids loved seeing that waterfall.
By the way, it's in the news here in Hawaii too. The shooting sounds horrible. When will they put laws into effect to curb gun use?
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, of the myriad of gun laws being talked about, none would have prevented the use of a shotgun or small caliber pistol. I haven't heard yet about how they were obtained since the law is age 18 for a long gun and 21 for a pistol and he was only 17. I'm guessing they belonged to his parents or obtained by stealing.
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