Page 8 | West End Word
DAY TRIPS
FALL 2018
Posey County, Indiana, Still
Inspires Search For Utopia
Posey County, Indi-
ana, is a destination for
unique experiences and
good times – from a sun-
set at Mount Vernon’s
riverfront to the natural
beauty of Harmonie State
Park, to New Harmony’s
charming, walkable village. It is located
about 150 miles from St. Louis off Inter-
state 64.
New Harmony is home to three, and
counting, attempts to create a Utopian
community. From the original Harmon-
ists in the early 1800s to present day,
residents have been inspired to build
unique structures and surround them
with art and natural beauty.
One of the town’s most spectacular
buildings and a national landmark is
the Rapp-Owen Granary. Originally
seven stories, it has been redesigned to
be two floors with very high ceilings and
solid wood beams and rafters.
Also check out the Roofless Church.
Its dome covered in cedar shingles cov-
ers a statue by Jacques Lipschitz. The
church was built on the principle that
the sky is the only roof large enough to
encompass a world of worshipers. Visi-
tors can meditate at New Harmony’s Ca-
New Harmony is a
mixture of history,
the arts, the sciences,
nature, and spirituality
– a place where visitors
can view the world
through a different
lens, and perhaps find
a new kind of harmony
in their own lives.
(812) 682-0050 • www.visitposeycounty.com
& overnights
thedral Labyrinth, a recreation of the
13th-century Chartres Labyrinth in
France.
Harmonie State Park is a perfect des-
tination for all ages for hiking, moun-
tain biking, camping and fishing.
The Mount Vernon waterfront area
is a favorite destination to watch the
sunset or traffic on the Ohio River.
With the Wabash and Ohio riv-
ers meeting in Point Township, Posey
County enjoys miles of river access.
Get to know Posey County at its nu-
merous events.
Posey County’s largest riverfront fes-
tival takes place Sept. 7-9 at Mount Ver-
non with kids activities, local vendors,
food, music, historical reenactments
and a national BBQ contest, plus a pa-
rade and fireworks show.
Kunstfest, Indiana’s largest German
Festival, will be held Sept. 15-16 in New
Harmony with food, music, crafts and
more.
Poseyville Autumnfest will be held
Sept. 29-30 with food and craft booths,
bingo, games, queen contest, inflata-
bles and much more.
Check out its website,
visitposeycounty.com, for more
information about the area and events.
Posey County –
A Great Place
to Visit
Posey County is an important
agricultural and industrial area with a
rich historical past and unique natural
ecosystem that provides visitors
with a wide variety of sightseeing,
cultural, and outdoor opportunities.
Its unique history and environment
were forged by the confluence of two
great rivers, and a vibrant cultural
and spiritual scene with world class
art, architecture, restaurants and
places to stay.
At 310 feet deep, Blue Spring is one of the deepest springs in the United States.
Explore Reynolds County’s
Many Outdoor Attractions
From hiking & biking to a day on
the water, the Ozark Highlands has
something for all nature lovers
Ellington, Missouri, nestled in the
Ozark Highlands of Reynolds County,
abounds with all-natural attractions. The
small town is located at Missouri Scenic
Highway 21 and Scenic Highway 106 ap-
proximately 125 miles south, southwest
of St. Louis.
Blue Spring, Rocky Falls, Klepzig Mill,
the Shut-Ins and Reed Spring are just
a few places of interest. The Current
River Conservation Area is home to the
first Missouri State Fire Tower and Peck
Ranch. Wildlife such as eagles, elk, deer,
turkeys and wild birds are abundant and
can be seen daily at any of these areas.
Elk is making a comeback to the area.
To see the elk, the Missouri Department
of Conservation offers elk self-guided
driving tours at Peck Ranch and Cur-
rent River conservation areas. Both tours
have signage to direct tourists.
The Current River Conservation Area
driving tour runs from Highway 106 to
South Road out of Ellington. The Peck
Ranch tour begins at the office. The con-
servation areas are open sunrise to sun-
set seven days a week.
Serene Ozark beauty can be found
at Blue Spring, which Native Americans
called “Spring of the Summery Sky.” A
quiet forest hike leads visitors to the awe-
inspiring sky-blue waters of one of the
deepest springs in the United States. It is
located on the Current River. A stairway
leads high above the water where visitors
can look down into the 310-foot spring,
occupied by fish and numerous varieties
of aquatic plants. The parking area has
picnic tables and bathrooms. A trail of
1.5 miles connects the Blue Spring park-
ing lot with the Powder Mill campground
at the Hwy. 106 bridge over the Current
River. Blue Spring is 14 miles east of Em-
inence or 14 miles west of Ellington off
of State Route 106.
While completely surrounded by Na-
tional Park Service land, Blue Spring is
owned by the Missouri Department of
Conservation.
Long before it became a popular tour-
ist attraction, Rocky Falls was one of the
most popular family outings in South
Central Missouri. The falls cascade 40
feet through a shut-ins of scenic igne-
ous rock into a large pool just right for
swimming. The falls are on national park
property and the site offers picnic tables
August 24 – September 6, 2018
| photo Ellington Chamber of Commerce
with fire grills and bathrooms. A hiking
trail is located along Rocky Creek for the
more adventurous. The Ozark Trail also
goes through the park area for serious
hikers.
A unique historical site, located ap-
proximately a mile-and-a-half from Rocky
Falls in eastern Shannon County, is the
Klepzig Mill. It was built in 1928 by Prus-
sian German immigrant Walter Klepzig
to provide milling service to families that
lived along the Current River in the early
1900s. The rustic old mill sits on native
rock at the site of one of several shut-ins
on Rocky Creek. The small turbine mill is
built of rough sawmill lumber with a cor-
rugated iron roof and a native rock and
concrete mill race and spillway.
Clearwater Lake is fed by the crystal
clear Black River and several springs.
This lake is noted for the grandeur of
its hills, the picturesque bluffs, wildflow-
ers and indented bays. It is known as a
place where families can relax without
large crowds and enjoy the quiet. Sur-
rounded by three state parks, Clearwater
Lake boasts fishing, boating and skiing,
as well as canoeing on the nearby upper
Black River. Restrictions created by the
U.S. Army Corp of Engineers to preserve
the lake’s natural beauty have prevented
private boat docks from being construct-
ed on the lake, leaving plenty of open
coastline. Clearwater Lake offers several
modern campgrounds. Clearwater is lo-
cated between Ellington and Piedmont,
Missouri.
The TransAmerica Trail, a 4,200-mile,
cross-country bicycle route from Virginia
to Oregon passes through Ellington via
Highway 21 and scenic Highway 106.
From March through October, be on the
lookout for bicyclists along this route.
Brawley Park in Ellington is a regular
stopover/camping spot for bicyclists.
The city accommodates cyclists at the
Route 76 Bicycle Hostel.
The Reynolds County Fair will be held
Sept. 27-29 in Redford. The fair is family-
oriented and does not allow alcohol on
the premises.
For more information about the area,
stop by the Copeland-Shy Visitor Center
at 155 W. Walnut St. It is located in the
house thought to be the oldest in Elling-
ton.
August 24 – September 6, 2018 West End Word | Page 9

––– fall foliage, camping, fishing & more ––– 7. Copeland-Shy Welcome Center – 155
Walnut, Ellington – Oldest home in Ellington, built in
1. Clearwater Lake and Webb Creek Park 1882. Brochures & information available.
– Hwy H, 12 miles east of Ellington – The quiet
side of Clearwater Lake, perfect for fall fishing,
camping, family fun and more. Marina on site.For Reynolds County Museum – 233 S. 2nd St.,
reservations, www.reserveamerica.com. Ellington – Open Tuesday - Friday, 10-4, second
Saturday of the month. Closed November - March.
2. Black River and Highway K Park – Hwy Copeland-Shy Visitor Center

K, 12 miles west of Ellington – Fall canoe floats are

a specialty plus camping and fishing a bonus. Float Klepzig Mill –––––––––––––––– hiking –––––––––––––––––
concessionaire on site. For reservations, www. 8. Ozark Trail – Hwy 106 – Blair Creek & Current River
reserveamerica.com. sections, for the adventurous hiker.
Blue Spring – Hwy 106, 10 miles west of Ellington – 1.25
3. Current River and Powder Mill Camping Area – Hwy mile hike from Powder Mill, 6th largest spring in Missouri.
106, 12 miles west of Ellington – Explore, boat, fish, hike and camp the
beautiful middle section of the Current River. This area of river is quiet Brawley Park – Ellington – Hiking trail plus paved
and unfamiliar to most of the regular river enthusiasts. Short hiking trail walking trail.
connects Blue Spring with Powder Mill area. Current River Conservation Area – Marked trails available.

–––––––––––––––– explore –––––––––––––––– ––––– atv, utv, horseback riding –––––

4. Blue Spring – Missouri’s 6th largest spring, 9. Blair Creek – Hwy 106 – 10 miles west of Ellington, County Road
deep blue color, short hike. 106A
Current River Conservation Area (CRCA) – South Road, Ellington
5. Rocky Falls – NN Hwy, Shannon County - Sutton Bluff Recreational Area – Hwy 21, 15 miles north of
Experience the beautiful falls which cascade 40' Ellington
through a shut-ins of scenic igneous rock.
Klepzig Mill and Shut Ins – CR 522, off NN
Buford Pond, CRCA Hwy, Shannon County – Circa 1800’s grist mill. –––––– elk viewing & scenic drives ––––––
10. Scenic Highway 106 – This 26 mile drive
6. Current River Conservation Area – South Road, Ellington – between Ellington and Eminence is known state
Listen for the Bugle! Elk, wildlife viewing with driving tour available. Ride wide for its scenic views and beauty. This section of
highway is also home to the TransAmerica Bicycle
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Events: Reynolds County Fair, Sept. 27-29 • ATV-UTV Fun Ride Oct. 6 • Lighted Christmas Parade, Nov. 30
Stop by our new Visitors Center for additional information and brochures!
Ellington Chamber of Commerce, Copeland-Shy House Welcome Center, 155 Walnut, Ellington MO 63638 www.ellingtonmo.com