Natural Beauty, Human Created Marvels and BBQ! |
|
This past month has been an amazing experience exploring the ever-so-beautiful State of Missouri. The doors of opportunities are from one extreme to the other. The two big metropolitan cities, St Louis and Kansas City, offer vibrant streets of many indoor and outdoor activities. Everywhere you look are unique eating establishments offering delicious foods to fully explore your taste buds. The downtown streets are lined with modern architectural buildings and landmark water fountains interconnecting with enormous classical stone steeple cathedrals.
The majority of Missouri offers at-ease driving in rural America, where you can enjoy the gentle, long up-and-down slopes of the two-lane roads, driving through surrounding farms and ranches. Towns and smaller cities are within short distances on almost any road. The folks are ever-so-friendly, inviting and wanting to share the history and stories of their town.
Missouri is a must state to experience the real America. Missouri, thank you for reminding us of the goodness of our wonderful country - The United States of America!
|
|
|
Missouri Fun Fact:
Missouri is a landlocked state bordering 8 states - Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Tennessee, and Kentucky
|
|
Jesse James - Outlaw
An American Icon of the Wild West
|
|
Let’s step back to the Wild Wild West Era in our American History. A confederate soldier turned bank and train robber killed over 10 innocent people. Most of the nation saw him as a hero, a Robin Hood, and a man who stood for Southern principles. In 1847, Jesse James was born on a small Missouri farm. At the rambunctious age of 16, Jesse joined a Confederate Guerrilla Band to be with his older brother Frank. One year later the Civil War ended, but the hostility between the south and north lingered on. The Band stayed together robbing banks and raiding jails. In 1869, Jesse and his brother robbed their first bank solo with the end result being Jesse murdering a bank teller. He became “Wanted” in Missouri. They began robbing trains as the returns outnumbered what banks offered. Others joined Jesse making them labeled as a “gang.” Arguments erupted, creating friction within the gang. One morning, as Jesse’s mother was preparing breakfast, Jesse stood on a chair to adjust a crooked picture. A gang member shot Jesse in the back of the head, killing him instantly. There is so much more to the story if one wants to research. Also in Missouri, one can visit the farm where he was born, the house were Jesse was assassinated and two gravesites - the first located on the farm and the second at the Mount Olive Cemetery where he is buried next to his wife. A fascinating legendary man whose name is still recognized 140 years later - Jesse James. |
|
Missouri Fun Fact:
A lightning strike hits the Missouri capital totally destroying the building in 1911.
|
|
Missouri and its BBQ Reputation |
|
 |
Missouri is one of the five top rated BBQ states in the country, and there are several reasons. The Missourians love their BBQ. They even use their unique combination of spices and sauces on fish. Furthermore, St. Louis is said to consume more barbecue sauce per capita than any other city in the United States. No matter what city you visit, the locals will rave they have the best BBQ in the state. I have eaten at several establishments throughout the state, and I was quite impressed. Every experience was finger-lickin-good! Some are dry rubbed, with several sauces sitting on the side, while others are dripping in sauce. I was told several times to try the ‘burnt ends’. Burnt ends are said to have originated in Kansas City and are the heavily charred exterior portions of a smoked brisket. Most of the time they re-baked to give them an extra crispy caramel flavor. I found them amazing. I ordered without the bun so I could experience the uninterrupted flavor of the meat and sauce. When in Missouri, plan on making several stops at various BBQ joints. Be sure to ask the locals. It becomes really entertaining when you ask where two or more are gathered. Their voices will accelerate and rise as they try over-speaking one another with their strong opinions. Each establishment has its own signature, so you can’t go wrong with BBQ on your agenda in Missouri.
Another delicious experience is Imo's Pizzeria. The small restaurant chain owns their very own cheese company which produces Provel cheese. They proudly top ALL their pizzas with Provel instead of the traditional mozzarella. Oh, it is so good. Don't forget to order a side of their toasted ravioli and wow! Another Missourian favorite!
|
|
|
|
Missouri Fun Fact:
Missouri is also known as the Cave State. It has more than 6,000 caves.
|
|
The Huck and Tom Town - Where it ALL Started |
In 1885, two barefooted boys changed the world. The story begins along the Mississippi River in the small port town of Hannibal, Missouri. It is a fictitious story , but based on the characteristics and personalities of the folks who were living in the town during those years. Hannibal proudly celebrates the life of the author, Mark Twain, who resided there when his family moved there when he was a small boy of four years of age. The five classic novels tell a story of these two boys and their adventures with Indians, stolen treasure and young love - The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Throughout the town are parts of the story to experience, such as the white picket fence Tom tricked his friends into painting. Also check out the homes of Tom, Huck and of course Tom's sweetheart, Becky Thatcher. Along the Mississippi River, a small road offers many pull-over views of this massive river. One stopping point is a huge statue of Mark Twain. Be sure to return to town enjoying the shops offering every type of souvenir. The town is also known for the home of one of the few survivors of the Titanic, “The Unsinkable Molly Brown'.” A small mural, located in an alley, recognizes the first woman to vote for a public office, Marie Ruoff Byrum. There is also a small museum, The Freedom Museum, offering history of the African Americans who inspired the characters in the novels. One can camp and explore the Mark Twain Cave on the outskirts of Hannibal. There is a lot to do in the small, quant town of Hannibal. A side note - one of my favorite experiences in Missouri! |
|
Missouri Fun Fact:
Missouri is home to almost 10,000 farms which cover 66% of the state’s total land area.
|
|
|
'The Best Thing Since Sliced Bread' |
|
|
|
In 1928, the town of Chillicothe in Missouri changed the world, inventing the first-ever bread slicing machine. This machine was sophisticated; it even put the sliced bread in a plastic bag! What? Yes, amazing back then. The inventors’s name was Otto Frederick Rodwedder. The town of Chillicothe is very proud of this milestone, as you will see a huge loaf of bread partially sliced on the small museum. The town is very quaint with small shops everywhere, 25 absolutely beautiful and lively hand-painted murals and even old restored trains on display. The residents celebrate “Sliced Bread Day” with a downtown parade, bread baking contests, and even fireworks! This destination offers a really cool small town experience in Missouri! |
|
Missouri Fun Fact:
Kansas City, Missouri is only second to Rome in volume of fountains
|
|
MUST SEE and DO in MISSOURI! |
|
- Elephant Rock State Park
- Ancient Ozarks Natural History Museum
- Bonne Terre Mines
- Gus Pretzel Shop in St Louis
- Town of Hannibal
- Jamesport Amish Community and General Stores
- National WW1 Museum and Memorial'
- The Gateway Arch
- The Historic Daniel Boone Home
- Warm Springs Ranch
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
