MORE info about 'alternate' Rainbow Family location in Missouri....

We made the 6 hour drive (from our home) to scout the Rippee Conservation Area location yesterday (Friday) - so very glad we did.!

There are ten designated campsites, and primitive privies (3 total). The single roadway *** is totally overgrown on both sides (disallowing parking/camping). Rippee Creek is presently a dry bed - Bryant Creek is located wholly on PRIVATE land! Access to water exists ONLY in a wash [see photo], flowing over the cement [drive across] entry ramp, which exists between the picnic area (no camping) and the designated camping site area.

Here is information taken from the official paper handout, posted at this location.

"...No open fires, except in designated areas...camping is permitted only in (10) designated areas...groups of 10 campers or more must obtain a special use permit...motor vehicles are restricted to *** roadways and parking areas***... destroying, cutting, or removing vegetation is prohibited...swimming is not allowed...no free-running pets..."

There is a 'group' camping space (permit required), further down the access road - with a separate parking area; this space is 'fronted' by a natural swamp/bog (actual Bryant Creek on private lands) complete with adequate critter life (skeeters, etc) to support bullfrogs and green frogs, which "...may be taken during the statewide season - sunset June 30, through October 31, only by hand, handnet, gig, longbow, or hook and line, only on waters open to fishing [Bryant Creek not being one of these fishing areas]..." and 'backed' by a natural 50 foot bluff on the north, which blocks any/all breezes.

This location is unbearably HOT, muggy, buggy - and we shall not consider returning there, for this gathering!

Best wishes to those few, early arrived, family members, who have secured three of the designated (10) campsites already; and best wishes to any other 'hearty' souls, who may be considering this location, as an 'alternate' one, to the nationals in New Mexico.

I shall post a few photos (at my profile page here) taken Friday, June 26, 2009 at this location: Rippee Conservation Area, 15 miles east of Ava, off of Highway 14.