1. The Deal with Ray
Remember how I said I was going to find out who Ray Behrens was. You know, since we were staying at his Corps of Engineers campground and all. Well, do you think you could just forget about all that?
Because… all I could find out was 1) Ray Behrens is deceased and 2) He was outstanding in his “dedication to the Mark Twain Lake Association and the project.” I found this information in the “Mark Twin Lake 2021 Vacation Guide.”
Probably, the best place to ask was at the M.W. Boudreaux Memorial Visitor Center, but it was closed when we were there. That’s my first excuse. The second best place to ask was probably the Mark Twain Memorial Shrine, but I didn’t think about Ray that day. I was just thinking of Mark Twain. Can you blame me?
So, this whole thing kind of backfired on me, and all I can say is that if you keep reading, something exciting will happen sometime. I’m pretty sure.
2. Let’s Be Frank
There are actually seven public recreation areas in the Mark Twin Lake area named for people like Ray. Another one is Frank Russell. Frank is deceased, too, but his Corps of Engineer campground is located right down the road from Ray Behrens. The interesting thing about Frank Russell is that some of his campsites are being upgraded this summer to have full hook ups. That’s pretty exciting, right?
3. Life’s a Beach
Another Corps of Engineers campground in the area is named Indian Creek. Indian Creek is across the Mark Twain Lake from Ray Behrens, and it does offer full hook up sites. A friend on Facebook told me the sites at Indian Creek are very similar to the sites at Ray Behrens. The only difference, she said, is there is a beach right there in the campground.
4. Dam the Cannon
The Mark Twain Lake was created with a dam, and that dam is named the “Clarence Cannon Dam.” Let’s not even get into who Clarence Cannon was.
On our way to Ray Behrens, our GPS took us over Clarence Cannon Lane which is a gravel road. The thing about this gravel road is that it can easily be avoided by taking 19 directly to EE (or visa versa on the way home.) Clarence Cannon Lane is just a connecting shortcut between 19 and EE, and given that it is a gravel road, it’s not much of a short cut. Trust me on this. Would I steer you wrong?
5. In the Hot Spot
Our carrier is ATT, but at Ray Behrens, we did not have a signal at our campsite. But, fortunately, I did at least one thing right. We had borrowed a mobile hot spot from our library. This hot spot is on the T mobile network, and it got a strong signal at our campsite. We were so glad we had this hot spot.
With the hot spot, we were able to text, use our chromebook and even watch t.v. using our Roku device. At one point, trying to make progress for my post, I Googled “Ray Behrens”, but all the information Google gave me was about the campground. Oh yeah, we are done with that subject. Moving on.
6. A Really Hot Spot
After spending our day in Florida, Missouri, we had planned to eat out in Monroe City and walk around the area a bit. We had researched and found a local restaurant with great reviews and low prices. We also saw two antique stores and a large, old fashioned Ben Franklin as we were driving into town. A nice meal, a little shopping to walk it off. Sounds like a perfect way to end the day.
The problem was the day was really hot, and I had been outside at Clara’s Point, at the granite marker, in the cemetery, and at Buzzard’s Roost. That all sounds like a recipe for disaster, and it kinda was. When Dan stopped for gas a block away from the restaurant of our dreams, I suddenly became very dizzy. So much so, I got sick.
It took about 30 minutes, a Sprite and some crackers before we could head back home to our travel trailer. I did eat a pbj and some chips later that evening, but it took about a day before I could boss Dan around again. I mean before I felt like myself.
I mention all this because I thought you might like to know about the Ben Franklin in Monroe City. Plus I’d thought I’d remind y’all to be careful in the heat. I thought I was, but there at that gas station in Monroe City, I found some new respect for the summer sun, and I intend to be much more cautious going forward. I’m not ready for the buzzards yet! But I am ready to go camping again!
Chambers on the Road 
Great read! Your posts are always fun and informative, Betty. I’m not sure if you suffered heat stroke- if you did, I completely understand, as I’ve had that once in my life – many years ago in Florida (not the MO one 😉). Hope you’re feeling better!
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Thank you! I am thinking it was heat related; I’ve noticed the last year or two, I don’t do as well in the heat. I am totally fine now, but I am staying out of the heat of the day. Hope you have a great day!
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So sorry your day was spoiled. I can’t be outside much in extreme heat. But I really enjoyed the rest of your post, and especially your quest to learn more about Ray. I’m sure there are many unsung heroes of our natural areas and park systems.
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Thank you! Well, really only the dinner/evening was ruined. The rest of the day was great. But, man, I really wanted to go in that Ben Franklin. 🙂 Well, perhaps another trip. I do love our natural areas and park systems; I am grateful for them every day. Enjoy your day!
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You may have outdone yourself on this post, Betty. Definitely one of your best. On your advice, I resisted Googling Ray Behrens, but frankly, now it is like a gauntlet thrown down. Since it is really hot here too, along with humidity of the steam bath, I think I have re-planned my day. I know it must be a real bummer to have missed dinner, the antique stores, and Ben Franklin but glad you are recuperating.
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Thank you, Suzassippi. I recovered pretty quickly. That night I told Dan, “I am never going to eat again.” He said, “Oh yes, you will, baby. You’ll be eating tomorrow.” And he was right. LOL The dinner, antique stores, and Ben Franklin aren’t missed, just delayed. 🙂 Stay cool, and enjoy your day!
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Sorry the heat interfered with your evening plans but I’m glad it wasn’t any more serious.
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I am, too! Everything turned out fine, just a little bump in the road. Stay cool, and enjoy your day!
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Wow, what a scare. Have to watch the heat. It’s something we are slowly getting used to ourselves. Please take care. Otherwise, great post and I already have Mark Twain on my bucket list as well as Indian Creek COE park. Speaking of gravel roads, I try to avoid them with the rig just as much as I did with my motorcycle. They can be interesting! Safe travels.
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Had we known we could have avoided that gravel road on the way there, we would have. Yes, I have to watch the heat now, too. I didn’t think it was that bad, but I think the last activity did me in. Indian Creek COE park would be a great place to visit Florida as well as Hannibal, Missouri. Both places are chock full of Mark Twain history. Safe travels to you, too, and enjoy your day!
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Oh Betty! I’m sorry you got overheated (that is no fun), but this was definitely a good read!
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Thank you. I was hot, but I didn’t realize this would happen. I included it as a warning to others – please be careful! It came on very quickly for me. Fortunately, I recovered within a day. Hope you’re having a good week!
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It happened to me several years ago. I didn’t realize what had happened and after cooling off went back out into the heat. Learned real quickly. I have to be careful now as the heat seems to affect me more than it did before the overheating.
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I am going to be more careful now, too! Enjoy your day, and stay cool! 🙂
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It has been a really hot June for sure. We had to leave Billings, MT because it was 107 this week. I had no idea it got that hot in Montana. Looks like you are having a lot of fun in spite of the heat.
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Wow – 107! We are currently in Longmont, Colorado, and the temperature is 102. Stay cool!
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Glad you’re feeling better. It is so easy to dehydrate while traveling. I hear it all the time from my wife and children. It’s been hot too, making matters worse.
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Thank you. I recovered quickly, but the incident did make me realize I need to be more careful. Thank heavens for air conditioning, including air conditioning in travel trailers! Safe travels, and enjoy your day!
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