Summer 2023

Summertime and the living is easy. Catfish are jumping here in the river at Glasgow. School is out and many of us are able to take at least a few days of vacation. With no worries about snow covered roads, summer can be the perfect time for a road trip.

In order to help you plan your trips, I have researched some Missouri travel internet sites.

Those catfish are mighty good eating. They are also the official Missouri State Fish. The channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) was designated as the official state fish in 1967 through the efforts of students from Glasgow High School (Glasgow.k12.mo.us). You can see the official list of all of Missouri’s official state symbols at SOS.mo.gov/symbols.

A highlight of summer in Missouri is often the fireworks displays sponsored by cities and organizations on the Fourth of July. It is a fitting time to not only display the flag but also to remember those men and women who have protected our liberty since 1776. You may be surprised to learn how many Revolutionary War Patriots eventually came to live in Missouri. At FindAGrave.com/virtual-cemetery/460893?page=1#sr-108825471 lists around 500 Revolutionary War patriots buried in Missouri. You may find one of your ancestors listed there. If so, you are eligible to join the Daughters of the American Revolution or the Sons of the American Revolution. or the SAR. My SAR chapter is the M. Graham Clark Chapter ). Anyone can attend one of our meetings, and we will even help you research information to complete your membership application. Chapters can be found on both the state SAR (mossar.org) and state DAR (mssdar.org) websites. An IRL visit to some of those patriot gravesites would make an interesting day trip by automobile or on the web.


An iconic St. Louis business is Ted Drewes Frozen Custard (TedDewes.com). Ted Drewes, Jr. continues the business begun by his father more than 80 years ago. The business has all kinds of ice cream treats, but it may be most famous for its “concrete” which will be handed to you upside down. It is so thick that not a drop will spill. There are two locations. If you visit during December, you can also purchase a Christmas tree.

A visit to Jefferson City is great fun for adults and kids. VisitJeffersonCity.com shows some of the many things to do in the state capital. Of course, the beautiful Capitol building with the Thomas Hart Benton murals is a must see and can be visited online at MoStateParks.com/page/55186/missouri-state-capitol. You can also tour the Highway Patrol Museum and the old Missouri State Pentitentiary (which may be haunted). That is only the beginning, and if you tire of air-conditioned tours, there is easy access to the longest park in America, the Katy Trail (BikeKatyTrail.com).

One of Missouri’s nicknames is “The Cave State”. With more than 6,000 known caves, it is well earned, and many of the caves are open for tours. They are cool and comfortable even on the hottest summer days. This page features a listing of the most popular and many photos: WorldOfCaves.com/the-best-list-of-caves-in-missouri/.

Wherever you travel during this fine Missouri summer, always be safe both on the roads and on the information highway. If we should cross paths while ordering some Ted Drewes custard or while exploring a Jefferson City museum, be sure to say, “hi”. A visit with old or new friends is a Missouri custom.