Ozark National Scenic Riverways

Go get your grandma’s madstone from the cupboard, it’s next to the Bible. You can almost picture a wide-eyed young lad dressed in overalls climbing up in the seat of a rickety chair to fetch the colored stone. His mother, with flour on her apron and brow, tending to a sibling who was bitten on the hand while trying to sway a stray dog. Similar stories played out many times on the rural farms of the Ozarks. Ozark mountain healers once relied as heavily on tinctures, tonics,... elixirs, poultices, and superstitions as we rely on modern scientific medicine. One such superstition and mountain cure was that of the madstone. The belief in the healing power of a madstone was much alive in the Appalachian culture that early pioneers brought to the Ozarks region. Although, the belief in the power of the stones or bezoars can be found throughout different world cultures. It was widely believed that the stone, if placed on a bite, could draw out the toxin before making the afflicted ill. They were placed on individuals that had been bitten by venomous snakes, spiders and the more common rabid, mad dogs. Before vaccines and public outreach, rabies among dogs was as common as a cold and a significant threat to citizens. Madstones were found in the stomach of cud-chewing animals like cattle, goats, and wild deer. It was believed the rarer the animal from which the stone came, the more healing power it possessed. For instance, a madstone found in an albino deer was believed to be more powerful than that of a common-colored deer, and one found in a buck more powerful than a doe. The stones come in all sizes and colors with some believing a certain size or color gave it more healing power. The stone would be heated in sweetened or sour milk, or even "mountain brew" dependent on family belief and then placed on the wound. The stone was supposed to stick and then fall off once the toxin was soaked up. Healers would wash the stone to rid it of the toxin and reapply if needed. Madstones were the subject of famed Ozark writer Vance Randolph’s book Ozark Magic and Folklore typically available for sale at park bookstore outlets. Disclaimer: We don’t endorse this as a treatment for rabies, snake bites, spider bites or vampires. Caption: One of these madstones belonging to a park staff member must have been used countless times, as it has turned green from the supposed toxins.

Today is National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day! We'd like to say thanks to all the women and men who serve as law enforcement officers. A very special thanks to our protection Park Rangers in the National Park Service and at Ozark National Scenic Riverways, who help protect our nation's treasures and the visitors who enjoy them. Thank you for your service! Image 1: Black and white image of a Park Ranger hat, badge and equipment. Image 2: A group of the best Park Rangers ...who serve one of the best national parks in the country (Ozark National Scenic Riverways!). #parkranger #LawEnforcementAppreciationDay #nationalparks #ozarknationalscenicriverways

Wow, time really flies when you’re not on a treadmill Five days into 2021 and we’re already over the treadmill. If you are like most of us and struggling to meet your New Year’s resolution, don’t hesitate to check out the trail network found within Ozark National Scenic Riverways! Whether you find yourself on the Upper Current, Lower Current, or Jacks Fork area, there is a wide variety of trails to fit all levels of fitness. Some are longer and more challenging than other...s, but all offer a refreshing change of pace for the treadmill weary. Follow the link below to discover a trail within the park. https://www.nps.gov//planyourvisit/hiking-in-the-ozarks.htm Image: Pulltite Loop trail along the Upper Current River.

There are few sights as striking as the clear, intensely blue waters of an Ozark spring. The waters of Cave Spring, located on the upper Current River, are no different. Cave Spring flows from 150 feet below, springing to the surface at the back of a shallow cave set a few hundred feet back from the banks of the Current River. Cave Spring is part of a karst system that includes Devils Well, the largest known underground lake in Missouri. The formation of Devils Well occurred ...when the roof of an underground lake system collapsed, leaving a sinkhole measuring 150 foot wide and 40 foot deep. At the bottom of the massive sinkhole is a 100 foot drop to the underground lake below. The lake is the size of a football field and is nearly 100 feet deep. The water level fluctuates with the level of the water table and varies, depending on rainfall. Through tracing studies, we know water from the lake below Devils Well travels through an underground river system and emerges at Cave Spring about a week later. The Devils Well - Cave Spring system offers a unique glimpse into the complex karst systems running beneath the Ozarks. Both natural features can be viewed in a single afternoon. Devils Well is located off Route KK near Akers. A 5-mile loop hiking trail begins and ends at Devils Well, providing overland access to Cave Spring. The cave can also be accessed via water, using the Akers-Pulltite section of the Current River. Both modes provide excellent opportunity to enjoy Ozark National Scenic Riverways. Photo: Late afternoon sunlight shines into the mouth of Cave Spring, illuminating the cave with reflected light and enhancing the blue color of the water. NPS Photo / S. Heise

"Uh-Oh. Sounds like somebody's got a case of the Mondays." - Office Space

We hope you just Waltz right into the New Year and "Jig Dance" your way into health and happiness in 2021. Caption: A fiddle was never far from the festivities at Alley Spring. NPS Photo

Seventy-nine years after the attack on Pearl Harbor, survivors, veterans, and visitors from around the world come together in remembrance. At Pearl Harbor Natio...nal Memorial, home of the USS Arizona Memorial, you can learn more about one of the most pivotal moments in US history: the attack on Pearl Harbor, and the subsequent entry of the United States into World War II. This year, you can view the commemoration online from the park's Facebook page, on Navy Region Hawaii's Facebook page, and at www.pearlharborevents.com Image: At the National Mall and Memorial Parks, Pearl Harbor inscribed in stone at the National World War II Memorial in Washington D.C. #PearlHarborRemembranceDay

A courtesy shuttle will be available at Two Rivers Campground at the end of V Highway starting at 9:45 a.m. Parking at the gorge is limited. All participants are encouraged to gather at the campground and utilize the free shuttle. Mask are encouraged for the ride. A blaze orange vest or hat is recommended, a few are available for participating individuals.

With 2021 just around the corner, we wanted to take a moment and reflect on some last minute positive vibes from this holiday season. Law Enforcement agencies from around the Ozarks participated in the annual "Texas County Shop with a Hero" program. The goal was to raise $15,000 with OVER $22,000 donated towards this amazing program and over 200 kids sponsored! Image 1: Jacks Fork District Law Enforcement Ranger, Chris Figge, kneels to help toddler pick out gift. Image 2: Jacks Fork District Law Enforcement Ranger, Chris Figge, helps family select toy.

Legends of the Current River: Earl "Sandbar" Chilton served as the park superintendent at Round Spring State Park until his passing in 1965. While serving as ...the on site supervisor residing in the park he was there to welcome and assist visitors and members of the community 365 days a year. As a young man he worked as a river guide for Bales Boating Company where he earned the nickname Sandbar Chilton. His daughter, Yvonne, is the main character of a wonderful Current River love story. We will save details of that story for another time. Please add to this story or nominate another Current River Legend.

The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear. Buddy the Elf While we will spare you our singing voices, we encourage all to spread Christmas cheer by visiting the Alley Spring Mill this holiday season! Winter is a wonderful time to visit ONSR and enjoy some of our key locations throughout the park. As always, please remember to #RecreateResponsibly

If you’ve been out early, exploring the park this week, you may have been lucky enough to encounter frost flowers blooming across the landscape. While not really a flower, frost flowers are made of beautiful ice crystals that form on the stems of a few species of plants found within ONSR. While the most common-found frost flower species is dittany, stinkweed and white crownbeard also produce these ribbons of ice as well. This phenomenon only takes place in late fall/early winter while the ground is still warm, and the air temps begin to drop. Root systems continue to send sap up the stem which freezes upon contact with the colder air temps. Most frost flowers don’t last into mid-morning, so bundle up, grab your thermos and plan your route ahead of time!