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Rockin’ On The Rocks with Kirby Ray! Episode #22!

This week with it being cold out, I wanted to show you an indoor spot you can visit safely! It’s the Rosemary Berkel and Harry L Crisp II Museum on the River Campus at Southeast Missouri State University! Jim Phillips Crisp Museum manager shows us Mississippian & Native American artifacts & molds as well as an exhibit with Sayaka Ganz, Artist Her exhibit, “Reclaimed Creations,” is currently on display through Feb. 21!Ganz utilizes reclaimed plastic objects like brush strokes which appear visibly unified at a distance though separate at close proximity. She describes her style as “3D impressionism.” “The theme of recycling and stewardship is whimsically incorporated into the work,” said Jim Phillips. https://www.semo.edu/museum/ (Information referenced from the River Campus website)

Rockin’ On The Rocks with Kirby Ray! Episode #21!

Last week we had a cool snow day & I wanted to get a look at Historic Fort D in Cape Girardeau! It was constructed in the summer of 1861 & the site also contains a limestone building that was constructed in 1937! There were 4 forts here in Cape & you can check out more info about them in the link below! Breathe some of nature’s fresh air & have fun! https://www.cityofcapegirardeau.org/…/parks…/fort_d (Information referenced from the City of Cape Girardeau Municipal Government website)

Rockin’ On The Rocks with Kirby Ray! Episode #20!

Get outside & explore for fun! This week I went to a creek at Trail Of Tears State Forest on Old Cape Road past Lowery Lake and Bluff Lake in Southern Illinois! I say it Shawnee National Forest in the video, but I figured out it was Trail Of Tears state forest. Have fun!This is about the info I could find to show you the location. https://www2.illinois.gov/dnr/Parks/Pages/TrailOfTears.aspx (Information referenced from the website listed)

Rockin’ On The Rocks with Kirby Ray! Episode #19!

Hope you feel happy & healthy today! We have had some mild winter days & it’s been perfect to check out some nature! This week I went to Goose Creek in Perry County off of N Road in Perry County. This was the main creek I explored for years when I was a kid. Lots of cool rocks to see to feel some joy!The video cuts off about 30 seconds early at the end. This is about all the info I could find to show you the location. https://missouri.hometownlocator.com/…/feature-map,ftc… (Information referenced from the website listed)

Rockin’ On The Rocks with Kirby Ray! Episode #18!

Happy day to you! This week I went to the trails & a creek behind the Cape Girardeau Nature Center located within Cape County Park North! The Sinkhole Bottom & Paw Paw Valley Trail.It’s right off Kingshighway & I-55 & easy to get to so you can look at trails, plants & wildlife! Have fun, stay healthy in nature!Here is a link with the map of the park! https://nature.mdc.mo.gov/…/cape-girardeau-conservation… (Information referenced from the Missouri Dept. of Conservation website)

Rockin’ On The Rocks with Kirby Ray! Episode #17!

For our first of these videos in 2021, this week I went to the creek At Egypt Mills in Cape County MO. Some horseback riders came by while I was in the creek bed & I even found a fossil to show you!In June 1821, a church was constituted in the Big Bend near the present site of Egypt Mills. A post office was established in 1889, & operated until 1934. Tradition has it that the name originated from a school teacher who organized a Sunday school class which met in an old mill located here. One of the first lessons dealt with Egypt, so the place came to be known as Egypt Mills.It’s right off 177 & easy to find to look at rocks & fossils! Be happy, safe & healthy in nature! (Information referenced from Wikipedia)

Rockin’ On The Rocks with Kirby Ray! Episode #16!

This week I went to the goldfish pond & walking trail at Fountain Park in Cape Girardeau. Situated across from the city’s water plant on East Cape Rock Drive, the park was built in 1931 as a project of the Better Service Club of Missouri Utilities Co. employees.It’s right off the road & easy to get to & it rocks! Have fun & be kind!(Information referenced from the Southeast Missourian website)

Rockin’ On The Rocks with Kirby Ray! Episode #15!

Today I went to Hubble Creek at the MDC Jackson City Park to celebrate Jackson winning the Class 5 state championship title in a 42-7 win over Platte County in Jefferson City! I went looking for fossils I’ve been told of that are in the creek there. The Jackson City Park, established in 1933, is the oldest in Jackson. Congratulations to the team & town! Enjoy nature!(Information referenced from the Jackson MO-City Government & Missouri Dept. of Conservation websites)

Rockin’ On The Rocks with Kirby Ray! Episode #14!

Today I went to the MDC Sand Prairie Conservation Area, also part of the Missouri birding trail! It’s a 200-acre upland area located in Scott County near Benton, Missouri. This area is managed for natural communities including sand prairie, sand savanna, and sandy swale ephemeral wetlands.Management on the area is intended to promote species that historically occupied native sand prairies on the Blodgett Terrace. Six-Lined Racerunner & Northern Bobwhite Quail live here & the area is also available for archery hunting. The area rocks, relieve your stress & go into nature! (Information referenced from Missouri Dept. of Conservation website)Link to get there & more info: https://nature.mdc.mo.gov/…/sand-prairie-conservation-area

Rockin’ On The Rocks Videos!

Rockin’ On The Rocks with Kirby Ray! Episode #13!

This week I went to the Cape LaCroix Bluffs Conservation Area in northern Scott which is located off of Nash Road & supports one of the rarest fishes in Missouri, the spring cavefish. Spring cavefish spend the majority of their lives underground in springs and aquatic caves. Cape LaCroix Bluffs supports natural wetlands, limestone bluffs, and beech mesophytic forests unique to eastern Missouri. Enjoy nature & positive energy! 11/17/20

Rockin’ On The Rocks with Kirby Ray! Episode #12!

This week I took a drive to show you a creek that was suggested by my friend Kevin Steger that I don’t know the name of just off of Cape Rock Drive in Cape County by turning onto County Road 635, then County Road 646. UPDATE: Andrew Lynn says its called Scism creek. You get to see some colorful leaves & some rocks! Be one with nature & find joy & peace! 11/11/20

Rockin’ On The Rocks with Kirby Ray! Episode #11!

Recently I went to Cape Rock Park on the Mississippi River on the riverbank below the scenic overlook! Lots of rocks & the reason our town is one of the few inland capes on Earth! Cape Girardeau, Missouri, got it’s name when French explorers and mapmakers used the word “cape” quite frequently to describe bluffs and promontories along the Mississippi River. A “cape” could sit next to any body of water, not just the ocean. Find joy in nature! Explore & be happy! 11/05/20

Rockin’ On The Rocks with Kirby Ray! Episode #10!

Recently I went to a section on Juden Creek where fossils have been found & some artifacts. The leaves are changing & we get a look at some of that & a special surprise at the end of the video! Be creative, enjoy nature & have a good time in your life! 10/27/20

Rockin’ On The Rocks with Kirby Ray! Episode #9!

Kirby Ray & “Iceburg” Darren Burgfeld hangin’ out at the Missouri Dept. of ConservationCape Girardeau Nature Center with MDC Media Specialist Joshua Hartwig & MDC Naturalist Alex Holmes! These guys rock nature & this place is rockin’! Have fun! 10/20/20

Rockin’ On The Rocks with Kirby Ray! Episode #8!

Tower Rock on the Mississippi River in Perry County near Altenburg! It’s a huge rock in the river! Be like a stone & ROCK! 10/15/20

Rockin’ On The Rocks with Kirby Ray! Episode #7!

I recently went to the Old Burnt Mill at Little Saline Creek! The road it’s on is the oldest road in Missouri, called Three Notch Road in Perry County on Road 840! It’s made of stone! Get inspired by nature & have fun! 10/07/20

Rockin’ On The Rocks with Kirby Ray! Episode #6!

I recently went to a creek bed with a dry waterfall & cave entrance in Perry County formed by glaciers! It rocks big time! Get inspired by the beauty of nature’s art! Find merriment! 09/29/20

Rockin’ On The Rocks with Kirby Ray! Episode #5!

I recently went to Juden Creek Conservation Area in Cape County to visit a cottage foundation from late the 1800’s or early 1900’s! It’s made of rocks! Get back to nature! Have a creative & fun day! 09/23/20

Rockin’ On The Rocks with Kirby Ray & Alyssa! Episode #4!

I recently went to Inspiration Point at Shawnee National Forest in Southern IL! Here we have BIG rocks! Enjoy the outdoors & nature! Be creative & have fun! 09/14/20

Rockin’ On The Rocks with Kirby Ray! Episode #3!

I recently went to a Mississippi River inlet near Olive Branch IL that has tons of rocks, fossils, & artifacts since the river is low right now! So much is being revealed in the sand! Enjoy wildlife & nature! Have some creative fun! 09/09/20

Rockin’ On The Rocks with Kirby Ray! Episode #2!

Today I went to Apple Creek Conservation Area at the Boat Dock Entrance in northeast Cape Girardeau County to look at a few stones and possible primitive artifacts! Enjoy nature & life! Have fun today! 09/02/20

Rockin’ On The Rocks with Kirby Ray! Episode #1!

Today I went to Rock Springs near Thebes IL to pick up a few stones that were polished in the creek to give to friends! Enjoy nature & life! Good wishes to you! 08/19/20