Summer 2025
Summer is here! After a stormy and sometimes disastrous spring with tornados and floods, we are ready for some more carefree times. A summer in Missouri can provide the balm for our tired spirits. Kids, of course, look forward to time off from school, and even adults try to find more time to enjoy Missouri recreation and travel.
Many years ago, when I was one of those kids, I remember a popular song performed by Nat King Cole. It was called “Those Lazy Hazy Crazy Days of Summer”. I just listened to it again, and it still makes me happy. You can listen to it on YouTube.
It will open with an ad, but you can just click on skip to hear and see a young Nat King Cole (it was recorded in 1963) doing a great job with this song. The song was originally written in German, by the way.
The German title is “Du spielst ‘ne tolle Rolle”.
I was a brand new high school graduate in 1963. Much older and, hopefully, a bit wiser now, I still like the song. I also like to get out in summer to travel and visit our beautiful state.
In order to help you plan your trips, I have researched some Missouri travel internet sites.
Covered bridges are a relic of the past. Missouri once had at least 30 of these bridges, but only four have survived. You can read about their history and see photos at TravelInMissouri.com/covered-bridges-in-missouri. The site even provides highway routes to visit the bridges. I have been to two of them, so I have two more on my bucket list. The bridges were built of wood and covered to protect the structures. All four are now only open for foot traffic. The bridges can all be visited in a 334-mile loop. Another site with additional photos and videos of the bridges can be found at OnlyInYouSstate.com/trip-ideas/missouri/day-trip-covered-bridges-mo .
Of course, I cannot mention bridges without including the first all-steel railroad bridge in the world. The historic bridge was located in Glasgow and was built in 1878. The bridge cost more than $500,000, a fortune in 1878. Even though some naysayers warned that it would fall down during the first winter because “…steel is not a good material for bridges,” it served until the early-1900s when it had to be replaced because of larger locomotives. Construction details and photos of both the old and new bridges can be found at IndustrialScenery.blogspot.com/2021/05/first-all-steel-bridge-in-world-1879-c.html.
I have visited Hannibal several times. I was first there when I was in elementary school, and my last visits were while I was escorting a couple dozen seventh and eighth graders. I have also been there with adult friends. All those visits were interesting in different ways. Take 30-plus kids anywhere for a good time!
Hannibal’s website (VisitHannibal.com/explore) details many of the things to do there. Hannibal calls itself “America’s Home Town,” and you will find it a great place to visit. I am looking forward to a repeat visit myself.
You can tour a couple of caves, the Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum and birthplace of Molly Brown, the “unsinkable” Titanic survivor (biography.com/activists/molly-brown). Many shops and good places to eat will complete your visit. You will surely find a friend in Hannibal.
Have a great Missouri summer. If we should happen to cross paths IRL, be sure to say hello. We might see each other at a covered bridge or in Mark Twain’s hometown. If we meet in Glasgow, I’ll show you the famous bridge and tell you about our other history. It’s always good to meet friends in Missouri.
Many years ago, when I was one of those kids, I remember a popular song performed by Nat King Cole. It was called “Those Lazy Hazy Crazy Days of Summer”. I just listened to it again, and it still makes me happy. You can listen to it on YouTube.
It will open with an ad, but you can just click on skip to hear and see a young Nat King Cole (it was recorded in 1963) doing a great job with this song. The song was originally written in German, by the way.
The German title is “Du spielst ‘ne tolle Rolle”.
I was a brand new high school graduate in 1963. Much older and, hopefully, a bit wiser now, I still like the song. I also like to get out in summer to travel and visit our beautiful state.
In order to help you plan your trips, I have researched some Missouri travel internet sites.
Covered bridges are a relic of the past. Missouri once had at least 30 of these bridges, but only four have survived. You can read about their history and see photos at TravelInMissouri.com/covered-bridges-in-missouri. The site even provides highway routes to visit the bridges. I have been to two of them, so I have two more on my bucket list. The bridges were built of wood and covered to protect the structures. All four are now only open for foot traffic. The bridges can all be visited in a 334-mile loop. Another site with additional photos and videos of the bridges can be found at OnlyInYouSstate.com/trip-ideas/missouri/day-trip-covered-bridges-mo .
Of course, I cannot mention bridges without including the first all-steel railroad bridge in the world. The historic bridge was located in Glasgow and was built in 1878. The bridge cost more than $500,000, a fortune in 1878. Even though some naysayers warned that it would fall down during the first winter because “…steel is not a good material for bridges,” it served until the early-1900s when it had to be replaced because of larger locomotives. Construction details and photos of both the old and new bridges can be found at IndustrialScenery.blogspot.com/2021/05/first-all-steel-bridge-in-world-1879-c.html.
I have visited Hannibal several times. I was first there when I was in elementary school, and my last visits were while I was escorting a couple dozen seventh and eighth graders. I have also been there with adult friends. All those visits were interesting in different ways. Take 30-plus kids anywhere for a good time!
Hannibal’s website (VisitHannibal.com/explore) details many of the things to do there. Hannibal calls itself “America’s Home Town,” and you will find it a great place to visit. I am looking forward to a repeat visit myself.
You can tour a couple of caves, the Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum and birthplace of Molly Brown, the “unsinkable” Titanic survivor (biography.com/activists/molly-brown). Many shops and good places to eat will complete your visit. You will surely find a friend in Hannibal.
Have a great Missouri summer. If we should happen to cross paths IRL, be sure to say hello. We might see each other at a covered bridge or in Mark Twain’s hometown. If we meet in Glasgow, I’ll show you the famous bridge and tell you about our other history. It’s always good to meet friends in Missouri.
Spring 2025
We emerge from the snow and ice of winter to bask in spring sunshine. Green grass and warm sunshine in the day with cool evening breezes help us to enjoy the beginning of new life all around us. Spring is an ideal time to get out of the house and explore the natural wonders of our beautiful state. It is only prudent to use our computers to explore those wonders before we hit the road.
In order to help you plan your trips, I have researched some Missouri travel internet sites.
No matter what season, I really like coffee. In fact, I am drinking a cup wile I am writing this. I was pleased to find the Ozarks Coffee Trail at SpringfieldMo.org/ozarks-coffee-trail. The site allows viewers to sign up to obtain a pass to visit a number of coffee shops in the Ozarks area. Visitors get access to a “Secret Menu” at each shop, and points are awarded for each visit that can be redeemed for shirts or other items. There is no cost to participate.
We have a nice coffee shop here in Glasgow that is owned by my friend, Scott Morris. You can check out at Riverbrewcoffeeco.com.
Serious bird watchers maintain a “life list” of where and when they have observed various species of birds. Near Columbia, there is a great area for bird watching that host a fun family outing where you maintain a life list or not. The Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area can be found online at BirdWatchingDaily.com/hotspots/240-eagle-bluffs-conservation-area-mcbaine-missouri. The site consists of 4,000 acres of wetlands near the Missouri River and the Katy Trail. Recently, a small flock of rare whooping cranes were spotted there. At around 5 feet tall, the whooping crane is the tallest bird in North America. The bird weights about 15 pounds and boasts a 7-foot wingspan. At one time there were more than 10,000 of them in North America, but by 1941, their population had dropped drastically. Read more about their comeback at FWS.gov/species/whooping-crane-grus-americana .
A historic site in St. Louis is Bellefontaine Cemetery which can be found online at BellefontaineCemetery.org/events. The cemetery is 175 years old and is still an active cemetery. There are many historic graves including that of Confederate General (and sixth governor of Missouri) Sterling Price. Also buried there is James Glasgow, one of the 13 founders of my home of Glasgow. The town is named for James Glasgow who, unlike six of the original founders who are buried in Glasgow, moved to St Louis.
Bellefontaine is more than a cemetery. It is also a level III arboretum. There are only 47 of these in the world. The cemetery is home to more 10,000 trees and shrubs. Both private and self-guided tours are available.
If you visit Kansas City and you like both coffee and cats, this is the cafe for you: WhiskersKC.com. Whiskers is a coffee shop with a cat playground. Customers can just watch the cats or interact with them. Beware that there are rules that must be followed including no tail pulling. It sounds good to me, as I am enjoying my third cup of coffee since I started writing and my cat, Socks, is purring on my lap right now.
I hope you have a great Missouri spring and get to visit both IRL and online. If our paths should cross this spring, please say hello. Perhaps we can see some rare birds or enjoy a cup of coffee or a latte. Maybe we can pet a friendly feline!
J.Y. Miller lives in Glasgow and is a regular contributor to Show-Me Missouri. His e-mail address is jymiller@ShowMeMissouri.net.
In order to help you plan your trips, I have researched some Missouri travel internet sites.
No matter what season, I really like coffee. In fact, I am drinking a cup wile I am writing this. I was pleased to find the Ozarks Coffee Trail at SpringfieldMo.org/ozarks-coffee-trail. The site allows viewers to sign up to obtain a pass to visit a number of coffee shops in the Ozarks area. Visitors get access to a “Secret Menu” at each shop, and points are awarded for each visit that can be redeemed for shirts or other items. There is no cost to participate.
We have a nice coffee shop here in Glasgow that is owned by my friend, Scott Morris. You can check out at Riverbrewcoffeeco.com.
Serious bird watchers maintain a “life list” of where and when they have observed various species of birds. Near Columbia, there is a great area for bird watching that host a fun family outing where you maintain a life list or not. The Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area can be found online at BirdWatchingDaily.com/hotspots/240-eagle-bluffs-conservation-area-mcbaine-missouri. The site consists of 4,000 acres of wetlands near the Missouri River and the Katy Trail. Recently, a small flock of rare whooping cranes were spotted there. At around 5 feet tall, the whooping crane is the tallest bird in North America. The bird weights about 15 pounds and boasts a 7-foot wingspan. At one time there were more than 10,000 of them in North America, but by 1941, their population had dropped drastically. Read more about their comeback at FWS.gov/species/whooping-crane-grus-americana .
A historic site in St. Louis is Bellefontaine Cemetery which can be found online at BellefontaineCemetery.org/events. The cemetery is 175 years old and is still an active cemetery. There are many historic graves including that of Confederate General (and sixth governor of Missouri) Sterling Price. Also buried there is James Glasgow, one of the 13 founders of my home of Glasgow. The town is named for James Glasgow who, unlike six of the original founders who are buried in Glasgow, moved to St Louis.
Bellefontaine is more than a cemetery. It is also a level III arboretum. There are only 47 of these in the world. The cemetery is home to more 10,000 trees and shrubs. Both private and self-guided tours are available.
If you visit Kansas City and you like both coffee and cats, this is the cafe for you: WhiskersKC.com. Whiskers is a coffee shop with a cat playground. Customers can just watch the cats or interact with them. Beware that there are rules that must be followed including no tail pulling. It sounds good to me, as I am enjoying my third cup of coffee since I started writing and my cat, Socks, is purring on my lap right now.
I hope you have a great Missouri spring and get to visit both IRL and online. If our paths should cross this spring, please say hello. Perhaps we can see some rare birds or enjoy a cup of coffee or a latte. Maybe we can pet a friendly feline!
J.Y. Miller lives in Glasgow and is a regular contributor to Show-Me Missouri. His e-mail address is jymiller@ShowMeMissouri.net.