One of my favorite parks in Springfield, Missouri, is Sequiota. Sequiota is on Lone Pine Rd. The park provides a peaceful, natural atmosphere. Sequoita also offers many adventurous opportunities.
As one enters the park, he or she would view several things. One may enter the park on a paved road that encircles most of the park. From the entrance of the park, you notice that the park is rather large. Almost immediately you see a separate path that goes off the the right . The path is the start of a biking trail that goes about 5 miles to a bridge over Lake Springfield. On some days one can see several bicyclists traveling by. Towards the back of the park one sees an entrance to a cave, and a small lake to the right. Behind the cave and lake, the park starts to make its way up a fairly steep incline.
As one journeys down the trail, one may notice many things. When one continues down the path, one sees some trees to the left. The trees are very large and full of years;however, many of them have been reduced to stumps from the crippling effects of an ice storm that passed through the area. Scattered throughout the park are picnic tables and a couple of barbecue pits. Next to the lake and large trees there is a group of tables sitting under a roof. On Sundays sometimes people from the nearby churches have a barbecue after their service and tables are filled with people. One can see smoke and smell the sweet savor of barbecue. If one approached close enough, one could hear the muffled conversations and occasional yells of rowdy children, running around and playing games as they wait impatiently for their food.
If you would happen to be involved in the barbecue you get to taste those great hot dogs or hamburgers, corn on the cob and mashed potatoes.
One of the major attractions in the park is the lake. The geese are sometimes annoying, but set the scene. You can hear their “quuarrccnnk”. They usually are gathered in large groups wherever someone throws food or they could be fighting in the center of the lake. They make a great deal of commotion. You used to be able to see several fisherman lined up along the shore of the lake, prepared for the day with their towel spread, lunches, beer, and tackle box. The algae took over most of the lake so fishing, unfortunately, is rarely now seen.
The caves in the park inspire potential adventure. There are two caves. The one on the left is very narrow, small and dry. You can’t fit anymore than two people in the width of that cave. It does not take you very long to get to the back and the air in that cave is very humid and stuffy. The other cave has a fairly large entrance. It is definitely a wet cave. There is a river that runs out of the mouth of the wet cave that connects with the lake. If you venture in that cave, you will eventually be covered in slimy mud!! Many people like the park’s trails. The trails go up the incline behind the lake and caves. Some people would rather not venture up the steep trails, but for others the trails are rather relaxing. You can hear and see a lot of wildlife as well as smell the scent of the trees, mostly pines.
I think Sequiota is one of the best parks in Springfield. It offers great adventure and exploration as well as peaceful scenic views with many sites, sounds, and smells.
©2008 Justin A. Bancroft
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Another short writing by Justin A. Bancroft