The family that farmed this rocky area that most settlers avoided was named Johnston, like the town in Iowa where I taught middle school and high school. The census records dropped the “t” assuming it was silent, and when the state park was formed, the chosen spelling also dropped the “t”. In Johnston, Iowa, the “t” is very much pronounced. I found this interesting little tidbit when I visited the cemetery near the shut-ins trail.

We hiked the shut-ins trail which wound along the river then up through the forest. This also serves as the emergency trail to get you up out of the river during a flash flood. It was shaded and rocky and fun. We paused to watch a black rat snake, a non-poisonous constrictor, pass in front of us. Tony said he had arranged for the clumps of yellow coreopsis along the trail for me; yup—beautiful bouquets each of them. The pictured “bouquet” has a less-common butterfly on it.

Another swim was the perfect end to the hike. The water felt good, and the clouds had cleared by the time we were enjoying the water. There were small fish swimming with us and approached if you stood still. Bluegill and smallmouth bass and other striped minnows seemed most common and the bass in particular seemed curious. The clear water makes it easy to see the fish.

Butterflies are plentiful this time of year in Missouri forests. We have seen so many different kinds on our hikes here and at Bennett Spring. Of course, they are difficult to photograph on a fast-paced hike.