Goodbye Joplin: On to a waterfall and then West Mineral, Kansas

I wanted to see this waterfall.  I love the sound water makes running through a brook and knew it would make a beautiful sound.  Unfortunately, it didn't seem as though the powers that be encourage people to go down to see it.  We didn't even have an address.  I read reviews from people who had gone there, and some mentioned it wasn't easy to find.

 GRAND FALLS

Known as the largest continuously flowing natural waterfall in Missouri Grand Falls is a must-stop-photo op for visitors. Located on Shoal Creek just a few minutes downstream from Wildcat Park “The Falls” plunges 12 feet down a 163-foot-wide ledge of solid chert before crashing into jagged crags and then flowing peacefully to the south.

There are no facilities at the Falls. Swimming is allowed.

It was a cloudy day.  Cliff stayed in the truck while I risked my life walking on all those rocks, because I'm an idiot.  I proceeded very slowly.

I loved the place, and decided to risk my life a bit more by climbing up to the dam that supplies water to Joplin.

This shows both the waterfall and the water that's coming over the dam.

On my way to the dam, I took another picture of our truck, with Cliff still in it.

Here's the dam. 

Here I am back from the trip to the dam.  I was ready to get in the truck when I saw a man with a camera RIGHT DOWN BY THE WATERFALL!  So I decided to risk my life one more time in order to get a video of the sound of the waterfall, right from the edge of the stream.  As I was going back up the rocks to the truck I stumbled, but managed not to fall.  Just so you know, the reason Cliff didn't come with me is that he has more trouble walking than I do on such a difficult, uneven pile of rocks. 

See what you think of my video. 

This was really my favorite place, but the place we went next is a close second because I love to see my husband enjoying himself;  it was the sort of thing he absolutely loves.  I'll try to get back to that tomorrow.