Patricia Miljan remembers traveling to Noel as a little girl, seeing the beauty of McDonald County and watching in wonderment while on family adventures.
"I was in the back of my grandpa's station wagon and holding out my hand to feel water drip," she said.
Miljan's love for rocks, caves and everything geologically interesting has sparked her to document and share her scenic shots of the county.
From Powell to Huckleberry Ridge to hidden places in Goodman, Miljan takes her 6-year-old niece, Saya, and her 13-year-old nephew, Alex, to explore.
Miljan takes the children to places where she's previously traveled, just to make sure it's safe.
The trio has explored waterfalls, creeks, rivers, interesting rocks, caves and scenic bluffs while exploring the true, honest and untouched beauty of McDonald County.
Sometimes, trips open up unexpected glimpses of nature. A recent adventure unveiled breathtaking beauty.
"We put on our water shoes and started walking downstream. It curved around and we found a cliff that blocked out the sunlight. The water was greenish and blue, the minerals make it a pure blue. The kids didn't even talk for a minute."
Places in McDonald County are just amazing, Miljan believes. "There are hidden places that look like Utah or the Grand Canyon," she says. "The geology here, and the way the earth unfolds ... I have seen places that bring tears to my eyes."
Miljan takes her niece and nephew on adventures to document history and to make memories. She also shares her photos to encourage others to get out and explore.
The Neosho resident works as a missionary who travels to Belize, and also works for a radio station based in Neosho. She's explored McDonald County for several years, wanting to highlight its natural beauty.
These days, Miljan has decided to use her photography skills to encourage others. She utilizes her Olympus camera and her iPhone to capture the hills, hollows and history.
"I hope it makes other people go out and explore," she says. "It's just about beautiful things and encouraging others."
A recent snow day in McDonald County afforded a great opportunity. The trio drove around for a while before settling on a spot in Powell. Once the car stopped, her niece and nephew were astounded that they were going to explore in the cold.
"My niece said, 'We're getting out? It's 27 degrees!'"
The two youngsters, at first glance, didn't want to see an abandoned house. "You have to look beyond the old house," Miljan told them.
That adventure led to frost "bunnies," a look in a cave and exploring a waterfall. Once the youngsters got moving, they forgot all about the cold, Miljan said.
Seeing the natural beauty also is Miljan's way of balancing life. Serving as a minister can be challenging while helping others navigate through life's ups and downs.
Transitioning from mission trips to Belize -- and then back again to Missouri -- can be trying. Miljan helps a school in Belize with supplies. The school has the support of its government, but students, parents and grandparents are challenged to provide all their own supplies, uniforms and the like. On her last trip, Miljan packed four suitcases filled with school supplies. When she leaves there, she feels that she leaves behind half of her heart.
Getting out and exploring God's beauty helps her with that transition. Traveling throughout McDonald County grounds her. She hopes to leave a little bit of spirit on each photo she takes.
"There's so much beauty in the simple things. I just want to show love, extreme love."
Miljan's photographer's eye knows how to capture the right shot. She sees certain colors shine through and utilizes sunlight -- and the lack of it -- to portray a certain scene.
In particular, she loves Powell, with the old historic bridge and the cliffs. On their recent trip, the kids asked her about moving on to the next part of the trip.
Miljan was waiting for the sun to make its move, so she could get just the perfect frame.
"I told them, 'Wait just a little longer. That's when the magic will happen.'"
General News on 01/02/2020