Celebrating the Show-me State, camping style

Ah! The great outdoors.

The sun shining, the birds chirping and the sweet smell of fresh air has you asking that long overdue question: "Can life get any better than this?"

If you haven't asked yourself that question lately, due to the hustle and bustle of city life, it might be time for you to take a stroll down into the heart of the Kansas City metropolis.

At the Kansas City Public Library Central Branch you can indulge in a variety of programs that give you the perfect taste of the outdoors you've been waiting for all winter.

A program called Experiencing Missouri has been developed specifically for the month of March by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, featuring what could be a preview of your summer plans.

The program is inspired by the current exhibit, Painting Missouri which features a a collection of 115 oil paintings highlighting more than 100 landscapes of Missouri counties, by award-winning artist Billy O'Donnell.

Experiencing Missouri consists of a series of five programs held every Tuesday in March at 6:30 p.m., where field specific professionals discuss the recreational outlets Missouri has to offer.

In a broad spectrum, these programs highlight diverse opportunities included in camping, cycling, caving, backpacking and fishing in Missouri.

Last Tuesday was the first of five events. It allowed guest speaker Kevin Bolling to give a detailed analysis of the best State Parks in Missouri to camp and hike.

Bolling praised Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park during his presentation, due to its summer 2009 re-opening.

After a nearby reservoir breach three and a half years ago caused major flooding and damage, redevelopment of the park was necessary.

It is the only state park where actual granite is exposed, and the rock "shut-in" the developing lake.

You could even get risky and make your way down the slick granite rock waterslides that exist there today.

Other State Parks mentioned include Watkins Woolen Mill, Roaring River, Weston Bend and Ha Ha Tonka.

Each includes unique attributes and historical context that make these refined sites symbolic representations of Missouri bygone days.

Along with much discussion, the program maintained a well-balanced nature by incorporating a slideshow presentation of photographs of the wonderfully scenic grasslands, picnic areas, lakes, waterfalls, horse trails, flowers, forests and wildlife close-ups, taken within Missouri's State Parks.

Preceding the slideshow was a mock midnight campout encounter of the park ranger (speaker Kevin Bolling) and a stuffed man supported by a lawn chair.

The ranger then demonstrated some "dos" and "don'ts" of camping in Missouri State Parks, such as not excessively squirting lighter fluid onto an already flaming campfire and making sure to begin fishing before sunrise. Missouri State Park lakes are stocked every night, and the fish are typically biting in the early morning.

Additional information was given on the rules and regulations of the state parks, the fees for camping, dates and hours of operation and the essential materials needed for a satisfying camping experience.

But if you don't have time to attend one of these programs, you can stop by the Library's Central Branch and pick up the official Missouri State Parks and Historical

Sites guide for a comprehensive look at the technical information you would need for your recreational adventure, or visit their Web site at www.mostateparks.com.

spolacheck@unews.com