Home Away From Home

As I write this last blog post, I find myself reflecting on my time at Montauk during these past 10 weeks and reminiscing about my times spent there as a child. While I may find myself caught up with my school work and the stresses of everyday life, Montauk will always hold a very special place in my heart.

Montauk was my very first field trip in elementary school, the place where I learned to fish, the place where I was able to actually hold a live hummingbird in the palm of my hand and also the name of my very first pet cat after he followed my mom and I back to our car after hiking the Montauk Lake Trail.

Who needs constant electronic stimulation when you can have your own true nature show experience for free? After 10 minutes immersed in the sheer beauty of Montauk, with the crisp clean air and the crystal clear waters, you’ll never want to leave. I myself like to think of Montauk as my home away from home.

These past couple of months have made me remember just how much Montauk has to offer. Not only does the park offer plenty of family-friendly activities, but through its many nature programs, with the help of the Missouri Department of Conservation, Montauk also educates the young and old alike about the environment in which we live. Hopefully, with this knowledge, we can protect the magnificent wonders of Mother Nature and preserve them for future generations to come.

Current River Canoeing

For those of you who love the water and the relaxing sights and sound of nature, a canoe trip is just what you need. In fact, some of the best times of my life have been on the Current River. 

The Current River actually begins at Montauk State Park. Pigeon Creek and Montauk Spring converge and form the headwaters of the Current River. Montauk Spring not only makes up a lot of the headwater’s consistent flow, but, as you may already know, it also provides outstanding conditions for trout fishing. After leaving Montauk State Park, the Current River enters into the Ozark National Scenic Riverways.

In fact, those wanting to canoe down the Current River may use the access point just outside Montauk known as Tan Vat. Tan Vat is a very popular area for fishermen and swimmers as well and is also full of history. Settlers in the early 1800’s used this particular area to process animal hides into leather. They would soak the hides in what is called a “tan-vat” because the vat was filled with tannic acid. After the hides were soaked in the tannic acid, they were removed and then submerged into a deep spot along the Current River that is known to this day as Tan Vat Hole.

Tan Vat Hole

Tan Vat isn’t the only place along the Current River full of history though. One of the most popular destinations along the river is Welch Spring. Every time I do a canoe trip, I always stop to walk around and swim in this freezing cold spring. The history of Welch Spring is rich.  In 1913, C.H. Diehl, a doctor from Illinois, bought Welch Spring for 800 dollars. Dr Diehl believed that the spring water had healing properties and that the cool, pollen-free air that came from the cave would help people with asthma, emphysema and tuberculosis. Dr Diehl built a hospital over the mouth of the cave, into the side of a bluff. To this day, the walls still remain.

For those of you who interested in scheduling a canoe trip of your own, you can make reservations by contacting one of the many canoe rental businesses including Jadwin Canoe Rental and Silver Arrow Canoe Rental.