Bill
Bryan traversed the loose soil and rocks that lead to Sinking Creek
last Friday afternoon as Echo Bluff, named for the way voices echo off
its sheer face, cast a shadow over the water.
“Some
people like to kayak Sinking Creek, but I prefer to put on a snorkel
and just float it,” Bryan, sporting a blue-and-white checkered,
short-sleeved shirt and khakis, said. “The current will take you quite a
way without any effort. The water is warm most of the year as well.
Bryan, who is director of Missouri State Parks, was visiting
Echo Bluff,
the newest addition to the state park system, for a staff meeting. He
brought his family along to enjoy the park while he ran to and from
meetings. Behind him was the centerpiece of Echo Bluff State Park:
Betty Lea Lodge, a tremendous wood-and-stone structure that features 16 guest rooms and four suites.
“We want some parks to be more accessible to more people, providing campers a variety of experiences,” Bryan said.
He referenced a study by the Coleman Co. and the Outdoor Foundation.
“If
you haven’t been introduced to camping in some form before the age of
15, your chances of ever going camping are reduced drastically,” Bryan
said. “Parks with amenities like these allow more people to be exposed
to outdoor activities, which is one of our goals.”
