Winter Adventures in the Missouri Ozarks

It's been a bitterly cold day here in Southern Missouri, and cabin fever is really beginning to take its toll. I was browsing through some old hiking photos tonight, and I realized that we've never let the cold weather keep us indoors for too long! Although the warm months are the best months in Missouri, there is still plenty of fun to be had in the great outdoors during the winter!

I'd like to share a small collection of winter hiking photos, taken by myself and my husband @jasonrussell.

This first section of photos are from an area surrounding "Barn Hollow Natural Area" and "Bear Cave", just a short drive outside of our hometown:

@jasonrussell capturing some stunning icicles!

Next, a few from an area outside of Eminence, Missouri called "Prairie Hollow Gorge." There was still snow on the ground, but judging by the pictures, the weather must have been somewhat tolerable. ;)

These next few may seem mundane to some, but they are very special to me. I spent a winter day hiking with a couple of my younger siblings. I remember at the end of our hike, we sat on the edge of a cliff and talked and laughed about life as the snow started to fall

Here are some from the time we decided to take a winter float trip in February! Luckily, we were well-prepared because accidents happen and hypothermia is no joke!!!

And last but not least, an impromtu hike on one of my best friend's property with her and my brother. As we get older, it gets more and more difficult to make plans, but we all just happened to have a weekday off work and decided to go hiking in the snow. It was beautiful!

We are in the midst of the coldest winter days here in our little section of the world, and I'm glad that I took the time to remind myself that this season doesn't always have to be discouraging and depressing. There is beauty all around us if we just take the time to appreciate it.

Thanks for checking out my collection of winter photos! :)