Spring time means my family starts dragging the camping trailer out to different destinations to enjoy the great outdoors. That’s something I look forward to every year. Yes, using a trailer is little more like glamping, but I’m older now and a little beat up, sleeping on the ground just doesn’t work very well anymore. I still do trek out into the wilderness where I sleep in a tent or hammock, but I’ll take advantage of using the trailer when I can!

A field of round hay bales sets the scene for this Milky Way composite. There used to be no shortage of fields like this with a quick drive down the road, but even these are becoming extinct and being replaced with neighborhood developments. This hay field now had a couple hundred houses sitting on it. This also forces night photographers to venture out further to avoid light pollution, which will wash out the sky and leave minimal stars to be seen.

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Visiting Boxley Valley is a de facto go-to destination for us. When we are out cruising around the Ozarks, 8 out of 10 times we will end up in Boxley, or at the very least, driving through. With such pristine beauty all around you, how could you not? The elk are just a bonus!