Many who venture into the heart of the Ozarks, whether to hike or canoe, have heard of Rocky Falls. Almost all make the mistake of heading back the way they came after seeing the scenic falls. For shame! Go a little further and enjoy two more shut-ins and a mill on Rocky Creek!
Along Rocky Creek stands Klepzig Mill, a small turbine mill built by Walter Klepzig in 1928. Walter was a Prussian German immigrant, and he introduced barbed wire, woven wire, and a refined breed of milk cow to the area. He frequently ground corn free for his neighbors "on starvation" and saved "good boards" for use in building coffins (for the same neighbors). Modern Klepzigs, undoubtedly his kin, still sawmill near Doniphan.
Inside the ammo box you'll find:
- Two books: "The History of Ripley County" and "The Civil War in Ripley County."
- Two CDs: Big Smith and Big Smith's Big Rock. Great hillbilly music from Springfield.
- Wheresgeorge.com dollar.
- Hot hands.
- Toy sheriff's badge.
- Golf ball.
- Bouncy ball.
- Parachute man.
- Spaceman.
- Two toy cars.
- Two glow in the dark dinosaurs.
- Really, really small dog.
- Toy flute.
Make sure and sign the log and take a picture of yourself with the cache camera, drop the camera back in the cache, and tell me which picture you are in your log.
I mentioned two shut-ins earlier. You have to hike to the second one--Buzzard Mountain Shut-in. If you've ever been to the visitors center at Runge Conservation Area, you have seen a photo of this shut-in on the wall. If I'm wrong, somebody please tell me, but I'm fairly certain the photo is of Buzzard Mountain Shut-in. The shut-in is between Rocky Falls and Mill Mountain Shut-in. From Mill Mountain it is a little more than 3/4 mile (one way) by the Ozark Trail. Take the time to see it. It is well worth the time and the calories burned. Coordinates: N 37 06.996 W 91 12.041.
I know you already will do this, but make sure to visit Butch's cache at Rocky Falls.
I hate to say it but the hills and satellites conspired to limit my Garmin Legend's ability (accuracy 137'--horrible) to get a good fix on the cache. I will tell you that it is not covered at all, but I still think that you'll need the clue to find it.
A great photograph of Buzzard Mountain Shut-in is here:
http://www.naturephotographics.com/display/rockycreek.htm