Americans like to think of themselves as generous, welcoming people. We point to the hundreds of thousands of European immigrants with pride.

At times, we ignored our ideals and acted both greedy and cruel. One such chapter occurred in the winter of 1838-39. This was during the “Indian Removal” — a dark time when native peoples were forced to leave established homes and begin life again in what is now Oklahoma.

Bits and pieces of this tragedy are remembered at Missouri’s Trail of Tears State Park. This is an area where many crossed the Mississippi River. Be sure to visit The Bushyhead Memorial and learn a little history while camping, hiking, enjoying vistas or listening to birds.

Not old enough to have been a sapling when the bands of tired, weak, and ill Native Americans were forced to cross this land — I like to think of this tree as standing guard in one of the meadows of the current park.

In the later-in-life romance, Morning Tryst, you will find portions of two visits to this park by photographer Serena Carter. Join her to get an introduction to this and several other Missouri State Parks as setting. Complete book blurb is at the link: https://amzn.to/35gH37S