Don's Blog A December Adventure in the Country 12-4-17

It was a beautiful early December day. My son Chris and I were up for an adventure as we drove west along the Missouri River to Hermann and turned north. About half way to Highway 70 at Big Spring we turned west to a  gravel road and drove on three low water bridges over Hollow Creek to our destination, The Missouri Vortex. The first bridge was blocked by a downed sycamore and in the center of the by-pass  was a large black bull. As we approached he  grudgingly moved over.

When arrived at the closed gate to The Vortex I had to take my coat off to squeeze through on the left so that the barbed wire would not rip it. 

We have arrived at The Vortex which is an "underground" DIY skatepark that defies description. It began

on a private farm in 2008 as Hermann's Hole created from nothing by J P Kraus and his skateboarder friends.

It is a swimming pool surrounded by three bowls and multiple structures and is still a work in progress. Recently it was re-named The Missouri Vortex because of its cosmic activity.  It's a place where strange things happen. Today Chris and I were here alone but then we could feel the presence of others.

We could hear skate board wheels and decks grinding.

Complete with lights and far out decor it is hard to describe the experience of being in The Vortex.

There are many small enclosed and open air rooms filled with treasures.

The attention to detail is amazing. There are always tools at the ready if needed.

And no place in outstate Missouri is complete without a shooting range.

What better to do on a gorgeous December day in the country than to go to The Vortex?