There are some subjects that people tend to shy away from during conversation. Mental illness is one that can leave people feeling uncomfortable. During one of our outings, we stopped by the St. Joseph Museum Complex to learn more about the history of treating mental disorders. What we discovered inside reminded us that those struggling …
It seems that every destination holds at least one surprise for us. Our return visit to St. Joseph gave us a chance to not only update some previous articles but also add a new eatery. Since we love focusing on downtown areas, we headed to Seventh and Felix to see what we could find. The …
In only 19 months, the Pony Express made a lasting impact on American history. Just the mere mention of this unique enterprise stirs images of racing ponies carrying wiry cowboys across the changing landscape. Facing pitfalls and hazards, along the way, many of these young men would etch their names in the history books. We …
Back in 1982, we began our family with the birth of our daughter. By that time, the Precious Moments figurine craze was growing. The bulb-eyed figurines were flying off the shelves as fast as they could be restocked. Artist and creator Sam Butcher was preparing to launch on a journey to find a home for …
Cruising the path of the old Route 66 led us through the heart of Carthage, Missouri. As we pass the normal mix of fast-food restaurants and corporate businesses, we spot a gleaming silver shape ahead. Positioned on a frontage space, which has since been converted to a traffic circle, we spot Iggy’s Diner. The stainless …
Reviving Nostalgia Along The Mother Road – Iggy’s Diner Read More »
Conflict along the Missouri state line had been occurring throughout the second half of the 1850s. Far away in the East, the political battles were raging. After John Brown’s unsuccessful raid on Harper’s Ferry, some believed that signaled the end to the threat from the west. Little would anyone expect that the first significant land …
Few highways have captured the American spirit like Route 66. This nostalgic thoroughfare has been dubbed “The Mother Road” and “Main Street of America”. With 2,448 miles of open road, it led travelers from Chicago to Los Angeles. Along the way, drivers would find iconic stops to satisfy just about every need. This famous path …
It’s hard to believe we had never taken a real train trip. The stories that friends have told, about experiencing the views along the rolling tracks, have intrigued us. It is just that we have always fallen back on the reasoning that we would need our car for convenience. The day finally came when we …
Amtrak Escape – All Aboard For Hermann, Missouri Read More »
Midwesterners have had a long love affair with the open road. While there are many wonderful destinations scattered across the region, often one is faced with a significant drive. The invention of roads helped make travel more feasible and shortened the time needed to move from point to point. One of our favorite thoroughfares to …
Hermann, Missouri is steeped in the German heritage that the founding fathers brought from the east. While time has certainly allowed a variety of new tastes to enter the scene, the old world still holds a place in the hearts of residents and visitors alike. Strolling through the downtown, one can almost imagine themselves being …
Our country is filled with an array of vacation opportunities. Just about any type of diversion can be found, if you know where to look. One of our favorite activities is exploring the haunts that early drivers would find across the United States. An easy way to do this is a Route 66 road trip. …
In the mid-1800s, much of the land west of the Mississippi River was still untamed. Land agents in the east offered immigrants promises of fertile lands teeming with possibility. Upon arriving in their new locations, the dreams of milk and honey would often sour. Such was the case for a group of German farmers who …
Route 66 explorers are always on the lookout for iconic stops. The Mother Road has been a fascination for decades and too many of the original attractions have deteriorated by the wayside. These days, a journey along one of America’s first highways can turn into a treasure hunt that brings a mixed bag of rewards. …
Rolling down Route 66 in rural Missouri brought us to the pun-filled destination of Uranus, Missouri. Among the variety of commercial attractions is the Uranus Sideshow Museum. This place is a throwback to carnival days of old. While my only memories are of small versions at rural locations, there are certain things that I can …
Uranus Sideshow Museum – Throwback To Carnival Days Read More »
Living in the landlocked Midwest used to mean that good seafood meals were few and far between. These days, the ability to move fresh supplies worldwide has made fantastic dishes available almost anywhere. On a beautiful Fall Saturday, we traveled to Hermann, Missouri to check out their annual Oktoberfest. The lure of music, wine, and …
It would be safe to say that most people have heard the name Norman Rockwell, but how about Lowell Davis? This Missouri-born artist was often referred to as a master of rural art. Davis was born near Carthage, in the original Red Oak, Missouri. Growing up in a rural setting instilled a love for the …
For many years, we have enjoyed visits to the Ozark Mountains. This ancient mountain range offers amazing scenery, abundant wildlife, and many hidden wonders. During a trip to Top of the Rock, we learned about another scenic site that we wanted to see firsthand. A little research uncovered 10,000 acres of exploring that offers visitors …
Dogwood Canyon Nature Park – 10,000 Acres Of Exploring Read More »
There are some names that stand out in American history. Just the mention of them will elicit images of the era in which they lived. This is certainly the case with past presidents, like Washington or Lincoln. It also applies to some other historic figures like Daniel Boone. Just the mere mentioning of his name …
Boone County History Museum – Celebrating 200 Years Read More »
The river town of Hannibal, Missouri rests along the banks of the “Mighty Mississippi”. Growing up in such a world, during the mid-1800s, would have surely presented an adventurous world to any boy. This was certainly the case for Samuel Langhorne Clemens, who would seal his fame with the pen name of Mark Twain. Born …
For many, us included, you cannot get the real flavor of a destination without including visits to some of the local restaurants. Hannibal, Missouri has a distinct connection with the “Mighty Mississippi”, so we certainly wanted to experience the river town tastes that can be found there. Obviously, we would want some variety and knew …
Hannibal, Missouri is known far and wide for its connection to Samuel Clemens. Many of you know him best by his pen name of Mark Twain. His stories reflect the life and struggles of growing up in a river town in the mid-1800s. While many of his tales are based on moments and memories from …
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer is an American classic that has been cherished by readers for generations. From its first publication, in 1876, this adventure into childhood has captured the imagination of Mark Twain fans. As we had already discovered, Samuel Clemens (a.k.a. Mark Twain) was a master of drawing from life, when creating his …
The cars we drive say a lot about us, and it is interesting to see how they have changed over the generations. We are sure the early automobile builders never imagined how much cars would change over time. Each new model seems to bring breakthroughs in comfort, style, and luxury. Of course, there are many …
The mere mention of the town of Hannibal, Missouri evokes images of Mark Twain. It seems his iconic identity goes hand-in-hand with this river town. Most of us have grown up on the literary works of Samuel Langhorne Clemens, who penned the books we read in school. The characters he created kept us entertained with …
Triumph Over Oppression – Huck Finn Freedom Center Read More »
The year is 1921 and the world is coming out of World War 1. America was coming out of these troubled times with a renewed vigor. With the prospects of the world looking up, people began looking for new ways to expand their horizons. The war had shown people how aviation was the transportation avenue …
Take To The Skies – Nicholas Beazley Aviation Museum Read More »
It goes without saying that we love learning about animals. Our world is filled with fascinating creatures that leave us in awe and remind us that we are just one piece of a massive ecological puzzle. Whether it’s unusual species or just an unbelievable specimen, there is a ton of education that comes with each …
Who was Samuel Langhorne Clemens? It has been noted that he was one of the greatest American humorists. Of course, there are many who upon hearing that name, are left with a puzzled gaze. When the name Mark Twain is mentioned, then they immediately picture the white suit and gray haired author. Still others, who …
The Civil War is known for pitting brother against brother. Some parts of the country saw the fighting continue long after the surrender of the south. Missouri had chosen to be a neutral state, which neither seceded nor supported the Union. This did not mean it remained in a state of peace. Far from it, …
Bushwhackers Turned Bank Robbers – A Delicious Story Read More »
Smoke hung heavy around the Oliver Anderson home. Bullet holes pockmarked the brick walls of the house. This early battle of the Civil War had been sparked by the seizure of money by Federal troops. Now they found themselves outnumbered and in short supply of a most important resource. The battle was entering its third …
Hemp Bales And Bluffs – Battle Of Lexington, Missouri Read More »
Located in the heart of the state of Missouri, you will find the city of Boonville. While many pass by the exit along I-70, we went day-tripping in Boonville to learn more of the city’s historical significance. Transportation has seemed to have played a huge role in this Midwest destination, even before it was founded. …
When we think about travel at the turn of the 19th Century, everything seemed so black and white. Much of that is because color photography had not yet been invented. Of course, from visiting museums, we also realize that many of the automobiles of the day were produced in one color. Until our visit to …
How many times have you overlooked a small town, because you didn’t think it had much to see? If we are being honest, this happens too often, because we have been programmed to believe this. Creating our travel blog has opened our eyes and minds to the wonderful collection of artifacts found in villages and …
Boonville, Missouri rests along the Missouri River, just about 100 miles east of Kansas City. For thousands of years, Native Indians were the sole inhabitants of the region. It was not until the 1600s that the first European explorers would travel to the heart of the continent. A pair of Daniel Boone’s sons would uncover …
River, Rails, and Trails Museum – Travel Around Boonville Read More »
It is vital that we examine our history, to let us not forget the lessons that we wish not to repeat. During our visit to Arrow Rock, we had a chance to examine a more sinister side of Missouri history. Growing up in Kansas City, we were taught about the Border War between Kansas and …
Let Us Not Forget – African-American Experience Museum Read More »
Who else looks forward to sampling the flavors of a new destination? For us, one of the best parts of travel is the new tastes we encounter. As foodies, each dish holds unique possibilities no matter how many versions we have savored. A day trip to Arrow Rock, Missouri offered a chance to enjoy a …
Sandwiches, Shakes, And Shade – Catalpa Restaurant Read More »
It has been said that history tends to repeat itself. During a visit to Arrow Rock, Missouri, we stumbled upon a small museum dedicated to the life of Dr. John Sappington. His name was unfamiliar to us, but as we explored the space, we soon realized the important role he played in history. This little …
Traveling the interstate between Kansas City and St. Louis takes you through Boone’s Lick Country. If you are like us, you were completely unaware of this. On a sunny Saturday, we decided to make a day trip to Arrow Rock, Missouri to learn more about this area with an unusual name. While this small village …
Life In The Boone’s Lick – Arrow Rock Visitors Center Read More »
As I sit and write this article, we are currently under self-imposed isolation called “social distancing”. While the subject is near and dear to everyone at this stage, I have to wonder what readers will think when they return to this particular article in two or three years. How will our daily interactions change, once …
Sunshine and Social Distancing – Ha Ha Tonka State Park Read More »
To think that we have lived within a short three-hour drive of Missouri’s capital, yet it has taken us so long to visit. When we realized this oversight, we reached out to Visit Jefferson City, to arrange a day of exploration. Wanting to get a better understanding of the history of the city, from past …
Tours are a good way to get some background information at new destinations. While we will usually rely on our exploration, this doesn’t mean we are against guided excursions. Some places are limited to this type of visit, and we happily join in the group fun. This was the case when we stopped at the …
Walking The Block At The Missouri State Penitentiary Read More »
Visiting a new destination brings so many fun surprises. All of the sightseeing can work up quite an appetite. Fortunately, almost every downtown has an assortment of locally-owned eateries to choose from. Jefferson City is no exception, and we were filled with anticipation to take a peek behind the curtain at The Grand Cafe. When …
Whenever we visit a state capital, we try to include a stop at the state museum, as well. While each city and town will usually show a local perspective, these state-sponsored destinations have an overarching view. The unusual thing about the Missouri State Museum is that it resides inside of the capitol building. Since we …
Exploring Jefferson City would never be complete without sampling a couple of downtown restaurants. While they have a variety of cuisines to select from, sampling the BBQ scene is often a priority for us. Fortunately, we found an option sitting within easy walking distance from the capital building. After a day of exploring, we were …
On August 10, 1821 Missouri officially became a state. At that time the capital was in St. Charles, but plans for a new state capital were in the works. From what we could ascertain, Jefferson City was the only place specifically created to serve as the capital of a state. After the Missouri state legislature …
One of the things we most enjoy about traveling is the people that we meet. By interacting with the residents, we get a better understanding of what drives them through their lives. Our extended stay in St. Louis, Missouri gave us an excellent chance to mingle with some of the locals, as well as observe …
11 Things That Make St. Louis The True Gateway City Read More »
For five years we ran a local restaurant blog, before moving into the travel arena. Through that time, we came to realize that every dining establishment has its redeeming values. Some may have more flavorful dishes, but they all have at least one that they excel with. The key to successful dining when traveling is …
As we have said on numerous occasions, we are zoo people. We rarely pass up an opportunity to visit a new location, and enjoy returning to ones we have already seen. The ever changing exhibits usually offer a new view on something or at least a different perspective. When we planned our St. Louis trip, …
Being visitors from outside of St. Louis, we found the Forest Park area to be an amazing place to spend time. The lush landscape and numerous attractions beckon visitors to explore. The four crown jewels of the park include their zoo, art museum, science center, and the Missouri History Museum, which is the focus of …
Being from Kansas City, we always attempt to test out the local barbecue at least once. Now we are far from being BBQ experts, but we do know what we like. Since we were staying on the Delmar Loop, a visit to Salt + Smoke seemed to be the perfect spot to do some research. …
Kansas City Diners Test St. Louis BBQ At Salt and Smoke Read More »
With all of the cities that we visit, we will obviously need lodging. Most of these are nice chain locations that we try to mention during our overview articles. Once in a while we will happen upon a location that stands out as a special stay. This was the case in St. Louis, when we …
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