[Guest Post] Feeling Young & Restless in Ha Ha Tonka State Park, Missouri by Michael Jordan

Missouri born Michael is a personal friend of mine whom I met when our globe drifting paths crossed on the island of Lanai. Recently, he went back to the state of his birth to reconnect the fibers of his past with the person he is at present. He shares with us his experience here.

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You know what the Midwest is? Young and Restless. Kayne West lyrics from one of his songs, but is it true? I don't live in the Midwest anymore, but I did get really good rest on my recent journey back to my birthplace of "The Show Me State", Missouri.

The best rest came from a B&B my friend and I stayed at, right on Ha Ha Tonka State Park grounds at Lake of the Ozarks. It was breathtaking. I felt like Tom Sawyer. I felt like I was really reconnecting with my place of origin.

"It’s so green," was really the only thought I kept thinking. 

Coming from the scorched hills of LA during summer, it was nice to see giant lawn after lawn of the most beautiful grass I had ever seen.

Missouri is sliced pretty much in half by its behemoth river, which bears the same name. Its tributaries form some of the most expansive lake systems in America with over 1,100 miles of coastline around its edges.

Gigantic lakes are everywhere in Missouri, not only are there lakes in the northern part of the state, but in the south there are massive lake systems as well. 

Life on the lake reminded me of life in Naples, Florida, where I grew up in high school. A life full of banana boats, jet skis, sailing, wakeboarding, the comparisons are very similar. People living next to giant bodies of water love the water.

The B&B was special, we were the only attendees that night and came without reservations, the latter being something the house lady was quite shocked by.

She took care of us like we were her kids, and filled our to-go bag with cookies and waters. 

That night was definitely one of the longest sunsets I had ever experienced in my life; I knew this sunset was going to create an instant long-term memory while it was happening. 

With my popcorn and Pepsi, I enjoyed one of the most beautiful images my eyes saw in 2013.

Here it is, easier to just see it. I sat on a fallen tree while I gazed at this scene in wonder:

As the clock ticked past 9:30, the final rays of sun were over. What followed were the lightning bugs. They brought back memories. 

What they do is they shine light from their body in flashes to attract their women. In a field at night you might see thousands of them everywhere. 

Ha Ha Tanka will make you smile big time, and Kayne might need to go to
the Lake of the Ozarks to find that Midwest rest.

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Michael has gone from Missouri roots to Florida beaches, and then off to some more beaches. 

Currently residing in Los Angeles, MJ is on a search for anything fun.

He is in charge of Teddy Operations at his and his brothers company, Meddy Teddy.

To see what they're up to, follow them on their Facebook Page, YouTube or Instagram.

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And now we ask you: Have you ever been to a State or National Park that was unforgettable?

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