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2007-06-08  Columnists | Please Save Our... Natural Wonders
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06/08/2007 - Missouri is such a church-going, God-fearing state, and yet, so many of its wonderful nature sites are named for the... Ultimate Evil-Doer.
There's a great bluff on Big Piney River at Devil's Elbow. A very popular underground spot for college kids, south of Columbia, is Devil's Icebox. Not too far from Willow Springs is a place you probably don't want to get lost in – Devil's Backbone Wilderness.
Why are so many places named in honor of Old Beelzebub? These are the kinds of questions we ponder, as artist Ed Thias and I hawk our new nature tome, "Show Me...Natural Wonders," at various public forums. The book covers about 100 bluffs, springs, caves and special places in the state.
The nature writing and sketching is finished, and now the fun part of this book project is underway. The fun part is meeting lots of folks; getting their feedback on the book; listening to their outdoor tales – and their opinions on Missouri's best nature sites.
"You missed a good one when you didn't include Rock Eddy Bluffs in your book," insisted an outdoorsman with the Des Peres Rotary Club. "It's the best spot on the Gasconade River."
"Well, we will be sure Rock Eddy gets into the sequel," I apologized.
Many more suggestions were made for a sequel book at a forum arranged by Steven Bugala at county library's Tesson Ferry branch. It's encouraging to find how many area residents have nature escapes which they treasure.
At a book session at the Shepherd's Center of Webster-Kirkwood, we were able to share many memories of fun at Elephant Rocks and nearby Johnson Shut-ins. Of course, we also shared some outrage over the desecration of Johnson Shut-ins after it was scarred by the collapse of AmerenUE's Taum hydroelectric plant reservoir.
Gone are the squeals of joy from youngsters playing among the shut-ins' boulders, swift waters, chutes, and slides. Here-to-stay, it seems, is finger-pointing from the utility, various state officials and Gov. Blunt's office over who is responsible for the delay in restoring the shut-ins to a semblance of its former natural glory.
One thing becomes obvious when doing a book on Missouri's natural havens: They are fragile and finite. Streams and state parks are under siege from the odiferous pollution of giant factory farms. Prime bluff areas are threatened by quarries, industrial applications and McMansion developers seeking the best scenic overlooks.
Another thing becomes clear when doing a book on Missouri's natural wonders: People are starting to care about our natural heritage. Inspiring stories of this caring have taken place in our own backyard: Claire Gempp Conservation Area and Emmenegger Park offer up two such stories.
It shouldn't take divine inspiration to realize the imperative of protecting our state's natural legacy. Of course, the devil can often be in the details.
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