Western Waterway

Located along the western edge of the state, Weston retains its river-port charm. In the mid-1800s, this growing town had become the second-largest port on the Missouri River. At one point, the population had swelled to nearly 5000 citizens. That made it larger than St. Joseph or Kansas City, at that time. A series of floods, fires, and the Civil War dwindled the number to just over 1000. The railroad soon surpassed river travel as the main way to move freight, and Weston would never regain its economic stronghold. Fortunately, it has been able to retain its antebellum charm, and a major portion of the downtown is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Rural Mecca

These days people are drawn to Weston for a variety of recreational options. The gently rolling hills are the perfect choice for a scenic bike tour. A variety of historic sites are the perfect addition to a walking tour of the city. A collection of orchards and wineries offer tempting tastes for all ages. Weston has a large draw during the Fall when families make their way to the nearby farms for seasonal produce. Of course, one of our favorite pastimes is shopping, which is also prevalent in downtown Weston. There is plenty of reason to escape the city for a day of relaxed enjoyment.

Safely Quaint

This particular day trip included plenty of time set aside for perusing the local shops. Since most are family-owned and operated, you can easily begin to feel a connection with the community. In downtown Weston, you won’t find any big box stores, but instead, you’ll experience boutique-style shopping. The shops hold a wide range of merchandise, so eventually, you’ll find something for everyone in the family. We loved exploring each shop, and the shopkeepers were extremely inviting. With the lockdown still progressing, this was one of the first weekends for the shops to be back open. It was obvious that, while being wary, the return of shoppers was a welcome sight for the area. We appreciated the extra steps that everyone was taking to help make our experience safe and enjoyable.

Unexpected Treasures

When we go shopping it is hard to say what we will bring home. I’m sure that a lot of you may have this same issue. (I will not call it a problem.) As we wandered from shop to shop, we collected a small sampling of trinkets along the way. It was at Beverlin’s Statuary where this took a major turn. With the whole pandemic shutdown, we had refocused our efforts on home beautification, much like most American homeowners. Our backyard was the main area of attention, and we adopted an Asian theme. As we wandered around the statuary shop, most of what we found was country or English Garden. In the back, we happened upon a pagoda piece that was a perfect fit for one of our landscape beds. This is why we try to wander through every shop we find open. You just never know what treasure you will discover.

National Silk Art Museum

It is almost embarrassing to say that we overlook hidden treasures as much as anyone else. We cannot say how many times we have walked the main drag of Weston. On each previous visit, we have failed to recognize the gem hiding just beyond this storefront. It finally dawned on us, and we stepped inside the National Silk Art Museum for a gander. Once inside, we were treated to an introduction to the world of silk art from the museum’s founder. As we wandered through the galleries, we were amazed at the amount of detail to be found in these works of art. Even when we escape the city, we find ways to learn new things.

Lunch Break

You all know that we rarely visit a destination without making at least one culinary stop. What kind of foodies would we be if we failed to check out the local cuisine? Don’t worry, there are plenty of options in Weston, so our biggest challenge was picking just one. Fortunately, we located the perfect spot right on Main Street. Avalon Cafe is an American cuisine dining destination housed in a 170-year-old home. With so much character and charm, we were anxious to check it out. A meal on their elevated outdoor deck offered us a chance to enjoy the fresh air and wonderful views. It was the perfect break during a day of exploring.

Glory Days

While Weston has a history dating back to the mid-1800s, there are other eras to visit during your time in town. While it is not an actual museum, Hiatt Motors has constructed a small shrine to the 1950s-era filling stations. Being fans of Route 66, the old-fashioned facade caught our attention, as we meandered down Main Street. The bright orange Phillips 66 logo and gas pumps are hard to miss. Outside the storefront we discovered a couple of guys just hanging out, enjoying the beautiful weather. Everything about this place spoke of days gone by.

Step Back in Time

We asked the gentlemen if we could check out the interior and discovered them to be extremely welcoming. Once we stepped through the door, we were whisked back to our youths. The interior was chocked full of artifacts from the glory days of full-service gas stations. Everything about this place reminded us of road trips with our families. They even had an old pinball machine and some cool neon signs. It took a second and even third look to catch all of the memorabilia contained in this small space.

Cheese Heads

As we were heading out of downtown, we decided to make a short stop at Green Dirt Farm. As we pulled into the parking lot, we noticed guests enjoying a mid-afternoon snack in the shaded area out front. The casual atmosphere of Weston extends itself to this business and makes a stop even more inviting. It certainly appeared to be a popular stop, so we were excited to find out what made it such a draw. The countryside around Weston is filled with farms and orchards that make great destinations for a day trip to escape the city.

Unexpected Education

This locally-owned creamery produces a variety of cheeses made with cow, goat, and sheep milk. Each version has its own characteristics, which are imparted in the final product. Green Dirt Farm doesn’t just sell cheese. Behind the counter we found the staff working on preparing sandwiches, pizzas, and even ice cream treats for customers. In a nearby alcove, wine tastings were taking place. If we had not already had lunch, this would have been a perfect place to get the making for a charcuterie board picnic.

Weston Bend State Park

After leaving Weston proper, we still had one more stop in mind. Weston Bend State Park offers over 10 miles of hiking trails designed to entertain all skill levels. The thought of shaded paths that skirt the river’s path sounded extremely inviting. While we were limited to our time in the park, we still enjoyed hiking one of the most popular trails. We also ended up discovering a spot with an amazing view of the Missouri River Valley.

Get Away for the Day

Even though we have made many day trips to Weston, we still enjoy visiting. Each time we go we can feel the busy pace of the city fade away. Our pace slows and we find ourselves relishing the tranquil moments. Conversations flow easily with the shopkeepers and locals who are proud to call Weston home. While there are shops in Kansas City that offer comparable merchandise, the atmosphere of this river town is unmatched in the metro. Perhaps it’s time for you to plan a day trip to escape the city and enjoy some time in Weston, Missouri.

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Famous Navigators

In earlier times, the native tribes were drawn to the region for its rich soil. Lewis and Clark stopped nearby on July 2, 1804. It was near this area that their keelboat ran aground on a sandbar. Upstream they discovered “Bear Medicine” Island, where they stopped to repair their mast. The pair made note of the wooded hills that stood watch over the fast-moving river. During their brief visit, they noticed an abandoned Kanza Indian village on the opposite shoreline.

Weston History

The fertile lands of the Missouri River Valley were found to be a great fit for tobacco farming. This was especially true in the Weston area. Nearby Fort Leavenworth was established in 1827, and the town of Weston would follow 10 years later. This made it the most western settlement in the United States until Texas was admitted to the Union in 1845. The town became a natural harbor for the fort that laid on the opposite banks. The addition of the river port added to the success of tobacco farmers. With this natural water “highway” they were able to transport their crops to downstream markets.

Taking to the Trails

Weston Bend Park is home to over 10 miles of trails. With a little over 3 miles of roadways serving the park, it leaves plenty of green space for exploring. Since our day was being split between the town and the park, we chose to get back to nature on one of the shorter trails. Each trail-head has an information panel detailing the length and estimated hiking time. The trails are color-coded, which makes it easy to stay on track when traipsing through heavily wooded areas.

Birders Paradise

The trail we selected had the benefit of being part of the Great Missouri Birding Trail. This statewide trail system is divided into six specific regions. Signage details in which birds are common to the area during specific seasons. The panels include information pertaining to migratory patterns, as well as photos to help in identification.

Helpful Guidance

During our hike, we spent the majority of our time taking in the footpath. Recent rains had created a few muddy spots, so we focused on watching for those. We could still hear the sounds of the birds all through our walk. Songbirds cried out with their melodic tunes. In the distance, we could hear the rat-a-tat-tat of a woodpecker looking for food. It is amazing how quickly your senses adapt to listening for the quieter sounds, once you make your way into the stillness of the woods.

Trails Unite

As we continued on our hike, we noticed that our trail intersected with another one. This was apparent from the blue tags that now were joined by yellow tags. When we reached a clearing at the base of a long hill, we found ourselves at a crossroads. Right about then, another hiking party happened along. They were experienced with the trail system at Weston Bend and explained our options. We decided to divert from the blue to the yellow, as it had a promising view at the other end. Our new trail led us uphill toward a high ridge, which paralleled the Missouri River. Although we could not see the waterway, we still knew it was nearby.

Back to Nature

Up and up we climbed until we were finally moving along the spine of the ridge. Once in a while, we would note a different trail shooting off at an angle from our route. By now we were determined to find this promised view. Before too long, we passed out of the woods and found that we had been on Harpst Trail. Once out of the woods, there was a clear cut pathway that led toward the riverside of the park. Following this new path, we soon found ourselves at a shady overlook.

Social Distancing Paradise

With an invigorating hike under our belts, we were feeling in tune with our surroundings. Our attempt to get back to nature had been a complete success. As we stood gazing out over the landscape, we were in awe of the natural beauty. Eagles soared above us, rising on hot air plumes. Far below we could see the “Muddy Missouri” flowing along. Even with all of these eye-catching distractions, we could still hear the melodic songs of our feathered friends. This stop was just what we needed to get some real “social distancing”.

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Empty Spaces

As we stepped through the doorway, we were greeted by the hostess. She informed us that they were offering dining inside or out on the patio. Looking around, we saw that no one seemed to be interested in staying indoors. Of course, with a delightfully sunny Saturday unfolding, who would want to stay cooped up? After all, we all just spent the last couple of months sequestered to our homes, so we were ready to get some much needed fresh air. Perhaps on another visit we will sample a little of the indoor atmosphere.

Plenty of Personal Protection

The hostess led us toward the outdoor patio, which took us past the small bar area. Just as we had found throughout our Weston visit, here we also saw plenty of personal protection equipment. While it is a little unusual to see the masks and gloves, we have accepted these temporary changes being made to curtail the risk of exposure. We look at the need for them as a way to protect ourselves and others. Some people may balk at the idea of wearing a mask, but for us it is just a momentary inconvenience.

Take It Outside

The availability of an outdoor seating area made the decision to dine-in easier, and gave an increased level of comfort to patrons. The staff at Avalon Cafe had arranged the tables in a fashion that allowed plenty of space between parties. This makes the dining experience more relaxed and allows room to stretch out a little. To us, this is a reward for having to follow a few restrictive protocols. They say that life will change forever, due to the Coronavirus, and I for one wouldn’t mind, if that means we will always have some extra space between tables.

Soaking in the Atmosphere

Once we were seated, we noted additional changes that are being implemented with the return to dine-in service. Gone are the old style menus and in their place we found single use versions. While this seems to be safer, we do worry about the additional amount of trash that will wind up in America’s waste stream. They are also removing the bulk condiments and replacing them with single serve portions, which we much prefer. While we perused the menu, we munched on some bread they served with herb-infused butter.

Upscale Chicken

The menu at Avalon Cafe is filled with delicious sounding dishes, so we were sure that anything we chose would be good. Crystal stopped on the first item she found, which was the Grilled Chicken Breast Sandwich. The combination of homemade pesto, goat cheese, and herb mayonnaise were the perfect accents to accompany the focaccia bread. A side of fresh pasta salad added more zest, as did the pickled okra and sliced fruit. I could tell from her first bite that she loved the flavor combination.

Bringing the Blues

Since Crystal was showcasing the fowl side of the menu, I felt it would only be right for me to choose a beefier dish. Avalon Cafe has a handful of burger options that all sound interesting. After discussing the choices with our server, I decided to select the Blue Cheese Burger. I am always searching for photogenic dishes and this one certainly fit the bill. When they served it up I could see that they don’t skimp on the Blue cheese. I love the tangy taste this adds to the sandwich and could hardly wait to jump in. A handful of roasted new potatoes added a different version of potato to my meal.

Savoring the Sunshine

This inaugural excursion back into semi-normal life may have been fairly subdued, but it was still exciting. Having this chance to take it outside gave us plenty to be thankful for and left us feeling refreshed. After such a long hiatus from travel, we were worried that it would have changed for us. Truth be told, this day trip left us hankering for a time to come when we can get back on the road for more in-depth explorations. Until those days arrive, we will be satisfied with these shorter excursions that allow us to soak up some sunshine in a safe atmosphere. Are you ready to start traveling again?

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Getting a Primer

Walking through the door, we were welcomed by John Pottie, museum founder, and curator. After introducing ourselves, he was happy to offer us a cursory overview of the museum and the process of weaving over the years. John hasn’t always been a collector of silk art. In his past life, he was a restaurateur. It was by accident that he purchased his first weaving at an antique mall back in 1980. When he discovered his new treasure was not an engraving, he went off in search of more information. This was the start of a 20-year quest to procure as many pieces as he could find. After moving to Weston, he finally showcased a portion of his collection at his downtown restaurant.

A Stitch in Time

As John continued our education, he pointed out an old German loom. This system utilized keypunch cards that identified the pattern for the machine to apply various colors of thread. A nearby series of cards show some of the patterns that have been created using this process. It is hard to fathom that this type of process was being implemented. The keypunch card was the segway to modern calculators and computers, and to think it was in use at the beginning of the 1800s. To put it in perspective, this would have been about the same time as the Louisiana Purchase. John made sure we understood the importance of keeping the age of silk art in mind as we were exploring the museum. The stitch in time that created many of the woven pieces made them almost as old as the United States.

Variety of Galleries

Now that we had a feel for the extraordinary work required to create these pieces, it was time to do a deep dive into the National Silk Art Museum. John pointed us toward the galleries, which are displayed in three rooms. As we made our way through the spaces, we noticed that it is actually a series of collections. Many of the pieces are grouped by subject, topic, or country of origin. Seeing the depth of details made many appear to be more photo-like than just a weaving of threads.

The Colors of Life

Each piece brought another set of details that were hard to truly appreciate. When you see the amazingly bold colors, it is easy to forget that some of these pieces are well over 100 years old. Just when you think you have seen it all, you come upon another piece that captures your attention. Who would think that they could capture the fine details of reflections in a lake? Just as we were, these pieces will surely surprise you.

Big & Small

While many of the weavings on display are substantial in size, there were some smaller pieces, as well. A collection from Thomas Stevens was similar in size to bookmarks. Working in the mid-1800s, this artist produced an extensive assortment of art pieces. He was one of the first weavers to mass-produce his pieces, which allowed him to expand his marketplace to the masses. Some of his more than 900 designs were used in greeting cards. A large portion of his company records was destroyed during World War II.

Picture in a Picture

While weavings have existed for hundreds of years, there are specific periods when it peaked. From what we could surmise, this was the 1800s. By that time, artists had nearly perfected their art. This stitch in time was heralded at many special events, like the 1851 Great Exposition in London. The National Silk Art Museum gives a nod to this with a collection of pieces about Joseph Charles (also called Jacquard). This French weaver played a pivotal role in the development of the keypunch system that revolutionized silk art. His portrait is seen not only in its original form but also replicated in a piece showing the ability of weaving looms to produce his likeness. It’s an early nod to the picture in a picture.

A Two Sides to Every Story

After exploring the various galleries, we made our way back to the museum entrance. John was waiting for us and asked for our feedback. We spent a few minutes talking about all of the details that we discovered during our visit. Our discussion turned to the amazing details we found in the various pieces. John asked if we noticed the difference between the front and back sides of one particular weaving. When we mentioned we had overlooked it, he took us back for another look. We were amazed at the way the piece has an almost negative look when viewed from the opposite side.

Awe-Inspiring Artwork

When we entered the National Silk Art Museum we were unsure of what to expect. Little did we know that this visit would open our eyes to this unusual art style. While we have seen our share of tapestries and other textile artwork, at places like the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, the techniques used to create them had escaped us. Armed with this new appreciation for the labor of love required, we felt satisfied that we had continued our adult education. This visit was our own little stitch in time that brought us a new appreciation for an underappreciated art form. How many of you knew about keypunch card processes in the 1800s?

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