Fall 2022
Fall has always been my favorite season. Following the extra hot summer and the continuing concerns of gas prices coupled with the Covid protocols, we are eager to get out of the house and explore. Please continue to protect yourself from Covid. I had it this summer and I certainly never want to experience that again.
Some of those concerns remain with us even as we enjoy the crisp fall morning and the cool afternoons that make a light sweater both comfortable and stylish. This makes it even more important to research our travel. I recall often hearing a saying during my military service about prior planning preventing poor performance.
Our computer screens can be a means of safe, comfortable travel as well as a way to plan for IRL trips. I have found a few sites to get us started on cyber travel.
A great place to visit either online or IRL is Sainte Genevieve. VisitSteGen.com will give you a good overview. Sainte Gen is the oldest permanent European settlement in Missouri., formed by French Canadians about 1740. Festivals include a “werewolf hunt” in October. When dining at one of the fine restaurants be sure to try the liver dumplings. Really, they are good! If your visit is online, make those dumplings at home using the recipe at TasteOfHome.com/recipes/liver-dumplings/.
Visitors to our state almost always remark about our beautiful fall foliage. Nature uses those fall colors with a liberal brush to decorate our woods and forests. Almost any drive, especially those that leave the interstates, will take you to beautiful views. Each year, the forecast for colors is a bit different since it depends on temperatures and rainfall. The Missouri Department of Conversation’s Fall Foliage Forecast is available at mdc.mo.gov/trees-plants/fall-color . The site includes photos and videos showing examples of our forests and suggestions for trips to see them in person.
Near the center of Missouri is the Lake of the Ozarks, often referred to simply as “The Lake,” which features more shoreline than the state of California (1,100-plus miles) and offers shopping, resorts, shows, and history. In addition to fishing and boating, visitors can hike to Ha Ha Tonka Castle (Mostateparks.com/park/ha-ha-tonka-state-park). Visit The Lake online at FunLake.com.
Before prohibition, Missouri was a major wine producer with an excellent reputation. Prohibition put many of those wineries out of business with some converting to other operations. One of them in Hermann used its cellars to grow mushrooms. The Missouri wine industry is now back with a great many wineries operating. A visit to the Hermann area either IRL or online at VisitHermann.com will provide a week or weekend of relaxation. We have a winery right here in Glasgow, just a few blocks from my home and just a click from your computer at BeckettsRestaurant.com/winery.html. The Glasgow winery owner also has a good restaurant just cross the street and online at BeckettsRestaurant.com. The owner of both is Nikki Gouge, the daughter-in-law of the original founder of the restaurant. Lonnie Beckett began the restaurant in 1994 as a sports bar and restaurant.
Enjoy the fall season in Missouri. Make the best of life and share with others as you visit our beautiful state. If we should cross paths while visiting a historic site or enjoying some good Missouri wine, be sure to say hello.
The best part of any season in Missouri is greeting both old and new friends.
J.Y. Miller lives in Glasgow and is a regular contributor to Show-Me Missouri. His e-mail address is jymiller@ShowMeMissouri.net.
Some of those concerns remain with us even as we enjoy the crisp fall morning and the cool afternoons that make a light sweater both comfortable and stylish. This makes it even more important to research our travel. I recall often hearing a saying during my military service about prior planning preventing poor performance.
Our computer screens can be a means of safe, comfortable travel as well as a way to plan for IRL trips. I have found a few sites to get us started on cyber travel.
A great place to visit either online or IRL is Sainte Genevieve. VisitSteGen.com will give you a good overview. Sainte Gen is the oldest permanent European settlement in Missouri., formed by French Canadians about 1740. Festivals include a “werewolf hunt” in October. When dining at one of the fine restaurants be sure to try the liver dumplings. Really, they are good! If your visit is online, make those dumplings at home using the recipe at TasteOfHome.com/recipes/liver-dumplings/.
Visitors to our state almost always remark about our beautiful fall foliage. Nature uses those fall colors with a liberal brush to decorate our woods and forests. Almost any drive, especially those that leave the interstates, will take you to beautiful views. Each year, the forecast for colors is a bit different since it depends on temperatures and rainfall. The Missouri Department of Conversation’s Fall Foliage Forecast is available at mdc.mo.gov/trees-plants/fall-color . The site includes photos and videos showing examples of our forests and suggestions for trips to see them in person.
Near the center of Missouri is the Lake of the Ozarks, often referred to simply as “The Lake,” which features more shoreline than the state of California (1,100-plus miles) and offers shopping, resorts, shows, and history. In addition to fishing and boating, visitors can hike to Ha Ha Tonka Castle (Mostateparks.com/park/ha-ha-tonka-state-park). Visit The Lake online at FunLake.com.
Before prohibition, Missouri was a major wine producer with an excellent reputation. Prohibition put many of those wineries out of business with some converting to other operations. One of them in Hermann used its cellars to grow mushrooms. The Missouri wine industry is now back with a great many wineries operating. A visit to the Hermann area either IRL or online at VisitHermann.com will provide a week or weekend of relaxation. We have a winery right here in Glasgow, just a few blocks from my home and just a click from your computer at BeckettsRestaurant.com/winery.html. The Glasgow winery owner also has a good restaurant just cross the street and online at BeckettsRestaurant.com. The owner of both is Nikki Gouge, the daughter-in-law of the original founder of the restaurant. Lonnie Beckett began the restaurant in 1994 as a sports bar and restaurant.
Enjoy the fall season in Missouri. Make the best of life and share with others as you visit our beautiful state. If we should cross paths while visiting a historic site or enjoying some good Missouri wine, be sure to say hello.
The best part of any season in Missouri is greeting both old and new friends.
J.Y. Miller lives in Glasgow and is a regular contributor to Show-Me Missouri. His e-mail address is jymiller@ShowMeMissouri.net.