CanExplores

Hickory Canyons was a roadside stop that is free for all who want to test their hiking and climbing skills. Christian was able to have some occupational therapy while enjoying the summer weather. He thought we could find a swimming hole, a waterfall, and some climbing rocks. We were disappointed that we did not see the waterfall (dried up because of the lack of rain this year) But we did find some great spots to play in the water and have a few minutes of cool down and refresh recharge and regroup.

for our O.T. we did a little rock climbing. What is better than real rock climbing for some proprioceptive exercises. He pushed on trees to see if he could push them over hahaha but it gave an added measure of these exercises to help with building his core strength, arms, and upper body. He jumped, climbed, stomped, turned, and sat. Today his skills were used for a day out which did not seem like a day with OT.

We spent the day looking for the waterfall and ended up getting lost in the canyons. We lost cell phone reception and could not find our way out. Luckily our Chiweenie Duke found our way out of the canyons. Duke was surprised by a turtle (he had never seen one before) after a short investigation of the slowly moving turtle Duke continued on his way and found the trail back to the car!. We were tired, hot, and hungry; however, we were safe and sound. The video below gives you an eyewitness to our adventures

Listed below is the information on the canyons… Per: https://nature.mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/places/hickory-canyons

POINTS OF INTEREST: Explore amazing canyons carved from ancient Lamotte sandstone. See plant species more common to the northeast U.S. Enjoy scenic wet weather waterfalls. [The Lamotte sandstone here was formed from the sandy beaches of a shallow ocean that existed 500 million years ago. Layers of limestone were deposited over the sandstone, but millions of years of erosion and uplift of the Ozark Plateau exposed the sandstone we see today. After a rain event, a wet-weather waterfall can be enjoyed from the end of the hiking trail on the east side of the county road. The headwater creeks here are a good place to spot a Louisiana waterthrush in the spring.]