Kimmswick MO

You know I love me a good small town! We have been visiting a special small town my whole life that isn’t too far from the STL. That special small town is Kimmswick MO. This little hidden gem has some wonderful shops and restaurants including the famous Blue Owl restaurant. This place is a must if you visit. In addition to their delicious food they have award winning deserts! The pies are fantastic but so are their cookies and specialty sweets.

So where is Kimmswick MO? Well, this small town is located about 30 minutes south of St. Louis off highway 55. This sweet little town holds many festivals and events every year including the Apple Butter festival and Strawberry festival. The Apple Butter festival is INSANE and if you plan on going go early and take the shuttle. You will thank me later!

Kimmswick sits along the Mississippi River and hugs Rock creek. This creates a special atmosphere and beautiful scenery. The people of Kimmswick are welcoming and very knowledgeable of their town. They have wineries and coffee shops along with a giant Christmas store. My favorite to visit it the Burgess-Howe house. It’s like stepping back in time. They usually have a tour guide sitting outside that is more than happy to tell you all about the house and its inhabitants.

On any given day they have live music playing and sometimes a food truck or two. There a playground for the kiddos and a short walk along the river will take you to the Anheuser estate. It’s a beautiful place right next to the river and sometimes the horses are out.

If you’re looking for a short day trip this is the place, especially in the fall. Just be sure to grab yourself some pie for the ride home :)

*Other attractions in the area are Mastadon State park and farther south is the Bonne Terre mine

Fun fact: Kimmswick is a Nationally Recognized Historic District and its Apple Butter festival has up to 100,000 visitors each year so plan accordingly

Brentwood Park

Listen, I love me a good park. Luckily St. Louis and the surrounding areas have plenty to choose from. A friend of mine told me about the new Brentwood park that just opened down the street from her. Of course I had to try it out.

I grabbed my friend and her two kids, who are always up for an adventure, and we headed out. We got there around 9:30 am on a Saturday and it was already crowded. The parking is great and they also offer street parking. It’s kind of in a weird spot behind some houses and looks like you can get to it from Manchester but you cant. I will say there is A LOT to do and it took me a minute to take it all in. They have rock climbing walls, slides, zip lines, swings, jungle gyms and a man made water creek thing. The kids loved it and we spent more time there than we had expected. As we were about to leave we noticed food trucks and other vehicles showing up. Turns out they were having a free event at the park!

They had a delicious taco truck called Jr. Taco truck and a dessert truck called Sweet Side Desserts. We got a smoothie that the kids loved from the taco truck, along with chicken/carne asada tacos and a soda. The owners of the taco truck were so nice and helpful! As for the desserts… SO GOOD! The owner of that truck was amazing. I told him what I couldn’t have and what I didn’t like and he gave me options AND let me look at them before I bought it. That’s the kind of customer service we need in this world.

Now as we were eating the kids were watching a free magic show, which they loved. They also had an adorable poms performance and some other activities we didn’t get to. We ended up staying about 3 hours and had a n absolute blast!

If you’re looking for a fun park to try out I suggest going here. My friend also told me that they have movies in the park sometimes and other events during the summer. I would also look at the Brentwood parks and Recreation website for other FREE activities offered by the city. They have fun things to do such as bubble parties and kids night outs. How fun is that?!

Hopefully y’all get a chance to visit this fun park!

OH the bathroom situations is fantastic and they have water fountains and plenty of covered seating. It’s also handicap accessible which is amazing.

Address: 2924 Brazeau Ave (entrance off of Brentwood Blvd NOT Manchester)

The Gateway Arch

Almost everyone knows the St. Louis Arch. It’s the “gateway to the west” as they say in books and until last week, I had never been up in it. Thats right, born and raised in the Lou and never been up there. Small spaces and I don’t get along and those legs looked awfully narrow. Plus, they used to have the “pods” to show you what to expect and I took one look at them and said HELL NO! Fast forward to last week when I had family in from Georgia and they insisted we go to the Arch. I said great let’s go its beautiful and I love playing tour guide. Little did I know they wanted to UP IN the Arch. Sweet peaches I was sweating bullets hoping they wouldn’t want me to go with them. They did, I went, it was fine. Really it wasn’t bad at all, and I will most likely go up again. So, what exactly is the Arch……

A little history lesson (because I love history) The grounds the Arch sits on was originally called The Jefferson National Expansion Memorial. Roosevelt designated the land along the riverfront in 1939 to become what we know today as the Gateway Arch! Fun fact the Old Courthouse was deeded by the city of St. Louis to be a part of the park, without that we may not have that historic building today. In 1948 a nationwide contest was held to determine the shape and in 1963 Eero Saarinens design was chosen to be constructed. The Arch was completed in 1965 and stands 630 feet in the air. Honestly thinking about when and how this massive monument was created blows my mind. If you stand at the feet and look up, you better hold onto something. You will most definitely feel a little woozy and may even think the Arch is swaying. It’s a fascinating thing to look at and photograph. I love how they have updated the museum underneath and have fixed up the grounds around it. It’s really a beautiful spot and definitely a must see if you are visiting.

Some important things to know before going. If you have mace or knives on you or your key ring, they will make you throw it away. I was NOT happy about that. You will go through metal detectors, and you will have to empty your pockets. You can purchase your ticket package at the entrance, be sure to use your Senior Citizen or Military discount at the time of purchase. Once you enter the museum there are many things to do. You can walk around and read about the history of St. Louis and the Arch and there are interactive exabits and a souvenir shop. There is even a little restaurant to grab some food at. I remember taking field trips to the Arch as a kid, but they have updated it since then and its beautiful! Now to visit the museum is free but the rest you have to pay for. You will still have to go through security to enter no matter what.

If you are nervous about going up in the Arch let me ease your mind a bit (coming from a claustrophobic mess) We had 4 full grown adults and a teenager in the small ass pod with us and we were fine. They had cold air pumping (for those of us who need air flow to survive) and they also had a window so you could see the inside the he Arch. That was SUPER helpful for me because I didn’t feel so confined. It took approximately 6 minutes to go up and 3-4 to come down. Now I will say coming down was HELLA fun. Think Tower of Terror on a smaller scale. Once you got up to the top, they gave you 10 minutes to walk around. There wasn’t much room but again AIR FLOW! (I swear that was my saving grace) You can take pics and look around at the city and river below. If it’s a windy day you can actually feel the slight sway of the Arch. That was cool. Once you board to come back down you speed down that leg to the bottom and exit. Thats it! I will say the restroom to people ratio was on point. They had multiple restrooms all about the museum and they were never crowded! I noticed multiple family and handicapped restrooms too which is amazing. I’m not sure about handicap accessible pods to go up in the Arch, so that may be something to look into. I’m not sure it’s possible with the size of the pod but hey where there’s a will there’s a way! I hope that helps if anyone is hesitant to go up in the Arch, if I can do it anyone can. I mean I don’t even like elevators!

So, if you ever find yourself in St. Louis be sure to visit the Arch and the Arch grounds. It’s truly a spectacular sight to see.

Main Street St. Charles

If you want to step back in time, literally, then head over to Main Street St. Charles. It’s a small quaint cobblestone town that sits by the Missouri River. The small shops and restaurants are reminiscent of old times. The way they have preserved the old buildings is remarkable. I love visiting here when I need a break. Over the years I have come to love a few stores and restaurants that I like to visit when I’m here. The best part about this magical place is the camaraderie that each business has with each other. It’s like a family on this little street and you can really feel that.

My ALL time favorite store on Main Street is Happy Camper Clothing. Stacey and her team (including her employee of the month husband) have made this cute little store a whole entire brand. The quality of the clothing is impeccable, and the hometown feel is exactly why I keep coming back. She really knows her customers and appreciates them. Her shirt designs are fun and she always supports local! (including the candles and stickers) The store has since expanded to include children’s apparel and men’s too! You can check them out on Etsy and IG for more information and to see all they have to offer. This place is a MUST SEE if you visit Man Street.

Another favorite of mine is Joy’s. Now there are two parts to this place and I will warn you it’s sensory overload, but totally worth it. The storefront has clothes and home decor and the back part is the market. I suggest the market! This store is full of booths that offer local vendors that range from metal art to homemade clothing and jewelry. I love this place so much becasue of how eclectic it is. Each booth is different but somehow all works together. Be sure to check them out and snap some pics in their selfie booth!

As for clothing boutiques with a twist, I suggest FR& Co. This place has adorable clothes but my favorite part is the cards and accessories. Their candles are hilarious and completely inappropriate… which of course I love. The cards they have make me laugh and I will drive out there just to get them. ( I am NOT a card person but I will buy these) The “keep your shit together” makeup bag they had a couple years ago was my go to gift. I’m pretty sure I bought every last one of them. They offer a wide variety of sizes and the shoes are fantastic! The staff is wonderful and so are their products. Check them out on IG or head over to their website.

Now if you find yourself hungry… don’t fret I got you. If you’re feeling like some sammies and salads check out Braydens. Be sure to check the hours before you go through. If you are feeling like some BBQ check out Salt + Smoke and their fantastic patio! They just did an upgrade and the outdoor space if beautiful. If you just want some damn good beer and bar food, check out Schafly Taproom (formerly Trail Head Brewery) If you’re looking for some drinks and a cute patio with some fantastic ambiance, walk next door to Old Millstream. Then head over to Sweet Poppins for some delicious popcorn. They even have a cute little room with a chalkboard room for the kids to play in. BUT if you want a Main Street staple you MUST try Grandmas Cookies. I can’t explain how delicious these cookies are. You have to try them and just enjoy them for yourself.

These suggestions are just a few of many places that Main Street offers. I would definetly carve out an entire day to explore. Or if you want to make a weekend out of it, there are PLENTY of Airbnb’s to stay at. There are candy shops , ice cream parlors, art galleries, soap stores, bars, boutiques etc. Be sure to check out all the holiday activities they offer too. Christmas on Main is one of my favorite holiday traditions. Especially when Santa comes :) They also have a Halloween celebration and Octoberfest on the river is INSANE! There are so many things to do on any given day it may take a couple trips to see all of it!!!!

Oh and be sure to check out the park and trails and live music in the summer… I could literally go on forever about this place.

Fun Facts- Main Street is over 200 years old and served as MO first capitol upon Missouri’s admittance to the Union in 1821.

Columbia & Charleston South Carolina

I have always wanted to go to Charleston so when my friend invited me to go with her… I said HELL YEA!

So my friend is a vendor with a thing called Vintage Markey Days. She travels the country selling her stuff at these markets. It’s a whole community and it’s fascinating. This trip took us South Carolina. We drove through Tennessee and the Smokey’s too. Let me tell you… it’s BEAUTIFUL! Driving through the Smokey’s is a sight to see. It’s nothing like the Colorado mountains but it’s beautiful none the less. We got to see some snow capped mountain tops and bustling creeks. We went through some tunnels and saw some gorgeous waterfalls. It was one of the most beautiful drives I have been on and totally worth it.

Once we made it through the mountains we were on our way to the venue. I have been to Hilton Head before but not inland. Columbia is a cute little college town. The palm trees everywhere mixed with the old brick buildings made for a beautiful backdrop. The weather was a plus. Seeing and feeling the sun was amazing since we haven’t had sun in weeks back home. Once we set up our booth it was time to go to the beach!

The drive to the beach was only a couple hours and well worth it. We found a local coffee shop in Folly Beach and decided to walk on the beach. The water was FREEZING but we didn’t care. Feeling the sand on my feet and hearing the waves made my heart happy. I am NOT a beach person. I’d rather be in the mountains but after the winter we had…. My heart needed the beach. After we walked the shore for a while we met up with a friend of mine. We ate at Loggerheads on the patio… in the sun. It was glorious. The temp may have only been 60 but it felt so good on our skin. If you ever go to this place I suggest the calamari, fish Sammy, burger, fries and onion rings. Yes, we had all of it. We washed it down with a Bloody Mary and some pale ale. It was exactly what we needed. Good conversation and great food.

We may have not spent a lot of time exploring Charleston but we drove through the heart of it. Seeing the buildings and the marina with all the boats gave us a glimpse of their way of life. I’ve been to the south before but this was different. The roads were windy with houses lining them but mixed in with brick fast food restaurants. Yep a brick McDonalds… so bizarre. The whole city is bridges. Bridges every where! It was such a fun day trip and I really cannot wait to come back!

If you’re ever in the area and can make a day trip I suggest Folly Beach! Walk the pier and pick seashells and just take in the sounds of the waves. It will cure your winter blues and make your heart very very happy.

Sandy Creek Covered Bridge

As a photographer I’m always looking for new and fun places to take pics. I stumbled across this place thanks to my dad. He gets together with his buddies once a month and this was a place they picked once. There’s not many covered bridges left so this one is special!

I’ve been there a couple times over the last two years. I did some senior pictures there but mostly go to just sit by the water. I took my friends kiddos there last fall and we just played for hours in the creek. It’s a great place for pictures or picnics or just to sit by the water and relax.

It’s located in JeffCo about 15 mins from Festus. Driving there is very confusing and you’d think you’ve made a wrong turn. Once you drive through some farms and down some windy roads you literally hit a dead end… that means you’re there!

If you’re ever in the area or looking for a fun backdrop for pictures, I suggest making the scenic drive down. BUT just and FYI…. DONT USE THE RESTROOM! It smells horrific and I’d rather pee in a bush 🤷🏻‍♀️

Sandy Creek Covered Bridge

9090 Old Lemay Ferry Rd

Hillsboro, MO 63050

United States

Chatanooga TN

I have driven through Chatanooga several times on my way to Georgia and North Carolina. I have never really stopped and explored the city until recently. A friend of mine does Vintage Market Days and travels to different cities. This time she had a show in Chatanooga and needed some help. I of course said YES! Any chance I can get to leave town and go somewhere I’ve never been I jump on it. So, we set off to Tennessee with trailer in tow. The drive there is absolutely beautiful. Driving through the Smokeys is unreal and nothing like it would seem especially at night. Darkness has a new meaning for sure.

As we rolled into town it was about 8pm and dark. So, we had no clue what kind of neighborhood our AirBNB was in. From the looks of it… it wasn’t the best part of town. My first impression of Chatanooga was exactly what I had been told. It seemed unsafe and a bit quirky… BUT don’t judge a book by its cover because the next day when the sun came up, we saw the people in the neighborhood, and it reminded me a lot of places here in the STL. Being the investigator that I am, I read up on the city and neighborhood. It seemed that the city was entering its “glow up” phase. After getting a bad reputation for being dangerous and unsafe, local leaders set out to change that. The small neighborhoods were taking old houses and flipping them into beautiful single-family homes. There is a huge art community within the city limits. Local artists have taken old buildings and painted beautiful murals on them. Brand new apartment complexes are going up everywhere. Old buildings were being torn down or rehabbed into new businesses. It is such a cool little city tucked away in the mountains.

The restaurants and small bars were so cute and quirky. I was unaware it was a college town so seeing downtown full of tents and tailgaters was so fun! We walked around downtown and to be honest I felt completely safe. There were tourists and locals everywhere. The architecture and history was very apparent in the buildings around town. Everyone we came into contact with was kind and helpful! I will say it reminded me of Austin TX. There were so many eclectic people and businesses there. Not at all what I expected from Tennesse/Georgia. The food was AMAZING along with the views.

I wish we had more time there to explore some more but it is definitely somewhere I would like to visit again. If you get the chance to stop, I suggest it and try allllllllll the food!!!

Restaurant Recs

• The Pickel Barrell (21 &up ONLY) Fun building shape too… reminded me of Harry Potter

• Hi-Fi Clydes - Staff was AMAZING and the bar itself was very interesting in its decor but so fun and inviting

• The Boathouse- its literally on the water and the view is beautiful.

• The Starbucks in the Chatanoogan Hotel (just because they were fabulous)

** Fun fact- The Walnut Street Bridge, erected in 1891, is one of the world’s longest pedestrian bridges at 2,376 feet in length.

Critter Lane Petting Zoo

It’s no secret that I love Sloths. Like Kristen Bell level love for those animals. I have always wanted to pet one but unfortunately many places don’t allow that. Well leave it to my friend Kasey to find a place where I can get up close and personal and even touch one of these beauties. This was a Christmas gift to me, and I couldn’t wait to go. So, when the weather was right, and they opened for the season we packed up the car and headed south.

Critter Lane is located just west of Festus Missouri close to De Soto. It’s a cute, small little place tucked off the side of a two-lane road. I would have never known about it if it werent for the Sloths. We happend to go on a day where it was pouring but that didn’t stop us. I do know the Sloth experience is an additional cost to the entrance fee and it does require a reservation so keep that in mind. Once we got there, we were greeted by a nice ole man who was very welcoming! He directed us down to the Sloth building and let me tell you I was so excited!!!! I’m not sure what I was expecting but it wasn’t at all what I thought. It was SO MUCH BETTER! We walked into the room and there were two Sloths just chilling upside down. Literally right in front of us. The woman in charge was so knowledgeable and we learned so much about Sloths and their diets and lifestyles. There was a male and a female Sloth in the enclosure which was kept at a warm 80 ish degrees. The females name was Mabel and the male was named Sammy, he and I became quick friends. After about an hour-ish of petting and feeding the Sloths we decided to brave the rain and explore. Luckily it stopped for a bit and gave us a chance to walk around.

This place had everything from Iguanas, Peacocks, Ostriches, Kangaroos, Goats, Donkeys, and Frogs. The best part was they allowed you to feed and pet them with a warning that they may bite. Which we didn’t care we just wanted to touch them! We even got to hold a baby Kangaroo! This palce is a hidden gem that I wish everyone knew about. If you are looking for something to do that isnt far from the STL I suggest this place. It can be a day trip or just a couple hours but either way you will have the best time! I would suggest bringing food and snacks. They have a pavillion with tables you can eat at. Also bring cash and coins to feed the birds and goats.

Overall this was one of the best days I have had in a long time… for many reasons. To have someone know me so well and put forth so much effort to make me smile was the icing on the cake!!! BEST DAY EVER!

Fun Fact: Sloths can swim faster than they can walk on the ground! Who knew!?

Thierbach Orchards

Ever since I could remember my family went apple picking. It was a tradition of sorts for the whole family to go in the fall. We’ve gained some and we’ve lost a lot over the years but we still go EVERY year! For the longest time we went to Eckerts… until they got too big for their britches. The cost to enter and the overall experience has declined over the years. So I decided to do some research to find a smaller family owned Orchard. This brought me to Thierbach Orchards in Marthasville MO.

We have been going here for years and each year it stays the same. Which normally I wouldn’t like but in this case it’s the best thing ever. It’s small but “homey”. They people who work there are wonderful and the apple selection is SUPERB! They don’t have the flashy signs and all the bells and whistles but they do have apple cider donuts… and well that’s enough to keep me coming back! The homemade apple cider is phenomenal along with the kettle corn. They do have a General Store that is also small but filled with produce and homemade jams, jellies, salsas, and baked goods. Again…. The apple cider!!!!!

If you want to ride the tractor and “pick your own apples” make sure to come in the weekends. The tractor doesn’t run Monday-Thursday. (Found that out the hard way) Once you get to the orchard and hop off the tractor is when the fun starts! The amount of apple trees to pick from along with the selection is amazing. Feel free to sample as you go. :) Pick as many or as little as you want then hop back in the tractor and head back to the General Store. In my opinion the best part about this place is the prices. They are reasonable and haven’t really changed over the years. Which keeps us coming back every year.

I suggest before you go picking you enjoy all the amenities so you don’t have to lug around bags of apples. They have a corn slide (you literally slide in to corn kernels) and a small playground. The goats will keep you entertained while you wait in line for the tractor! Be sure to grab some food and donuts! I highly recommend this place for your fall family fun.

*check out the berry orchard in the spring

Both locations:

Thierbachs Berry & Peach Orchard

15885 Orchard Lane

Marthasville MO 63357

Thierbach Market and Apple Orchard

18427 State Highway 47

Marthasville MO 63357

Special Note- Bring sanitizer wipes because you will be using a porta potty!!!

Fun Facts- Thierbach Orchards own 12 acres of peach trees, 12 acres and 16 varieties of apple trees and 6 acres of berry bushes!

Shaw Nature Reserve

If you have ever been to the Botanical Gardens, then you HAVE to visit Shaw Nature Reserve in Gray Summit. If you are a member to the Bot Gardens you get free admission to Shaw! If not its only $5 and that’s a GREAT deal for all you get to see. This place is by far my favorite place to take pictures. I recently did a senior shoot in the flower gardens, and it was beautiful! I suggest you get a map at the welcome center. It will definitely come in handy.

There is so much to see and do here you definitely cannot see it all in one visit. A must see is the Bascom house by the wildflower garden. Over the years they have added so many new things such as a updated restroom and a pavilion. Sometimes they do tours but I have never actually been inside the house. From there you can continue around loop and see all the things. There is an old bus stop, a lake, many hiking trails, the riverfront and a pavilion to eat at. The hiking trails can range from short to long so come prepared! This place is also a photographers dream. I have come in all seasons and every time is a different experience.

They also offer many activities ranging from kids to seniors. Anything and everything from bird watching to summer camps, you name it they have it! If you decide to go during the springtime I highly suggest going and seeing the Blue Bells. They are absolutely beautiful and worth the drive to see them. I am always surprised when I mention this place and people haven’t heard of it. It makes me sad because this is one of my favorite places to go when I need a break in life.

Depending on the season this place can be full of flowers or full of beautiful colorful leaves. There is a place we stopped at once and I laid down in a pile of leaves and looked straight up. It was quite possibly on the most beautiful sights seeing the canopy of colorful trees framing the bright blue sky. I still remember that day like it was yesterday. Just beautiful! Hopefully you can get to this place and experience it for yourselves.

Below are some of my favorites from my last visit. Enjoy!

Fun Fact: The first piece of land, 1,300 acres (5.3 km2), was purchased in 1925 when pollution from coal smoke in St. Louis threatened the Garden's live plant collection, especially the orchid collection. The orchids were moved to what was then known as the Gray Summit Extension in 1926. The Garden made five more land purchases between 1926-1977 amounting to the Nature Reserve's current size of 2,444 acres (9.89 km2).

Marceline MO

Did you know that Walt Disney spent some of his childhood in Missouri?! Neither did I. Well turns out he did. So I grabbed my Disney loving friend and her kids, packed up the car and headed north. Now I will say its not a short trip from the STL area but we love road trips so it wasn’t a problem. Once we got there the whole town is literally dedicated to Disney. We went on a weekend so not much downtown was open but we did explore a bit. They have a museum in honor of the Disney family. They also have shops and diners downtown decked out in Disney. Unfortunately they were all closed. They have trains and parks in the square downtown so we let the kids run around and play.

The museum was very insightful and filled with personal items that belonged to the Disney family. It was fun to learn about Walt and how he created the infamous Mickey Mouse. I will say I am not a Disney fanatic by any means but it was still fun to learn about how Disney became what we know and love! After we walked around a bit we headed over to the family farm. This was my favorite part of the trip. We saw the plot of land that once stood the Disney home. They did have an old shack that was still standing and you could go in. It was pretty cool that they let you sign the wall with a sharpie. Overall if you’re up for a road trip and love Disney, it was definitely worth it!

Fun Facts- Marceline was a town that sprung up along the Santa Fe railroad expansion that linked Chicago to Kansas City MO in the late 1880’s and early 1890’s.

Hawn State Park

Southeast MO has always been a place I love to visit. Whether it be Sikeston to visit Lamberts or Ste. Gen to do some shopping, I always seem to find myself in the area. On this adventure it was suggested to me that I visit Hawn State Park. Of course, in true ME fashion I decided it was a great idea to explore a park in the rain. I love me a good rainy day. I took a drive through the park and saw some interesting characters, and by that I meant the people who decided to hike in the rain. These are my people. They see beauty in the rain, as do I.

After driving around and exploring a bit I decided to well let’s say, take the road less traveled. (Meaning I took a wrong turn and got lost) BUUUUT when this tends to happen is when I get to see the most beautiful things. This wrong turn was no exception. The massive amount of rain caused the road to flood a bit and the creek to overflow. So, I took it upon myself to sit and listen to the rushing water. There is something so peaceful about listening to the sounds of water rushing in a creek. After I enjoyed the creek, I kept driving because why not go down the one lane dirt road that leads to nowhere. Thats when I saw a family of deer that came pretty close to my car. Once we made friends and I threw them some apples I kept going. Eventually I hit a fork in the road and judging by what I saw I decided to turn around and head home.

On the way home of course, I had to stop by Festus and hit up my FAVORITE micro-brewery. Main and Mill has quickly become my favorite place to retreat when I need a change of pace. Not only do they have some damn good beer, but they also have the most delicious burger I’ve ever had. The Bacon Maple Burger is the right combo of sweet and spice. The maple sauce has a kick to it! It’s a rather large burger so I suggest you share it with a friend. Now, before you leave be sure to grab a “howler” or a “growler” of your favorite beer on tap or grab a 6 pack to go. You will NOT be disappointed.

Fun Facts- Hawn State Park was a dream of a local teacher (Helen Coffer Hawn) who willed about 1,500 acres to the state after her death.

Catawissa MO

How many people have actually heard of Catawissa Missouri let alone been there? Sadly, not many. Our family has been going here since I was a kid. This cute little town is located just south of 44 and Pacific. They have a gas station that sells sammies and chicken and apparently winning lottery tickets! I’ve been to this town a dozen times over the years, but I have never been to this part of the city. I was feeling a little out of sorts and needed to ground myself, so I googled “lakes near me” and it brought me to this beautiful place. I have to admit it was COLD but peaceful and quiet… two things I rarely get to enjoy. I was the only person there besides a truck (with no person in it) sketchy I know. So, I made sure to take a picture of the license plate and grab my knife and mace cuz you know safety first. Once that was secured, I grabbed my camera and headed to the water. The lake was half frozen which made for some great pictures but there were also some cool looking trees and some sand. I just sat there for a while on a large rock and just listened to the birds and the wind. I could smell the hint of Spring in the air and the sun on my face. It was all I needed to make my soul happy. If you’re ever feeling a little off, go find yourself some water and fresh air I promise you will feel better!

*Fun Facts- Catawissa was founded in 1839 and has always been a township! The Post Office has been in service since 1860!

The Missouri Capitol… Jefferson City

Have you ever been to the Missouri Capitol building?! It’s a beautiful building that you can see for miles. I have been visiting Jeff City and the capitol since I was a kid. We had field trips here and my parents and I liked to road trip here when I was a kid. We currently have friends that live here so when we visit we try to take a look around the capitol. It’s a photographers dream!

The building itself is something spectacular but once you step foot inside, it's like a whole nother world. It's peaceful and quiet. The lighting is dim but brighter in spots to showcase the architecture. You can walk around the different exhibits they have set up and also see the MO House and Senate. They have a door with a window so you can peak through. If you go when they aren’t in session its not as busy, the weekends are a good time too.

Now, once you have explored the capitol building you can take a short walk over to the Governors Mansion or explore downtown! If you’re looking for a real treat you can head over to the MO Penitentiary. They do tours of the old Prison and it's AMAZING!

The capitol building is definitely a place to go at least once in your lifetime especially if you live in MO. Don’t feel like driving? Check out Metro-link train rides. They are cheap and a fun way to experience middle MO and it will even drop you off a couple blocks from the capitol. Such a fun idea for the whole family!


Fun Fact- Jefferson City was chosen as the site of the state prison in 1836 and housed former heavyweight champ Sonny Liston, assassin James Earl Ray and bank robber Charles “pretty boy” Floyd*