Winter 2014
Like a wheel ever turning, the cycle of seasons rolls into a Missouri winter. We leave behind the pleasures of fall and look forward to nature’s resting period.
It does not have to be a total time of rest for us, though. Missouri provides plenty of fun and interesting things to do during her winter season. During the cold and snow, we can enjoy travel both on her highways and from the warm comfort of our homes as we travel with our computers to visit the many attractions and destinations. To help you in these travels, I have found some interesting websites that can offer a chance to get out of the snowbound house with virtual travel or serve as a pre-trip planning visit.
Do you bicycle? The Katy Trail is a 237-mile-long park/trail that was once the roadbed of railroad trains. BikeKatyTrail.com was developed by Ray Scott, a frequent rider on the trail. Users of the trail may walk, bike or even ride horses (on part of the trail) across Missouri. This excellent site has answers to almost any question about the trail. Even if you don’t plan an actual bike ride, you will enjoy learning about the towns and services along the trail and seeing the photos. If you do plan a trail trip, this site is a must to make it safe and comfortable.
If you are looking for a trail with no bikes and not a lot of walking, then the Hermann Wine Trail might be just the thing. This site at HermannWineTrail.com explains the trail, which is open year-round. The 20-mile-long route meanders through some of the prettiest scenery in Missouri. Along the way, you can visit seven family-owned wineries that feature tastings and other special events on a regular basis. The site includes photos and a link to download a mobile travel guide. They even have a recipe page with selections from each of the wineries. Yummy!
Historic Arrow Rock boasts many attractions, including the Lyceum Theatre. The Lyceum will present “A Christmas Carol” during December this year. Anytime you visit Arrow Rock you might enjoy dining in the Huston Tavern, which can be viewed online at MoStateParks.com/page/54070/dining. It is 177 years old and has served many a traveler in that time. A video on the site shows folks enjoying the family style chicken dinner for which this place is famous. I have personally consumed a flock of those chicken dinners and can vouch for their quality and the friendliness of the servers. While in Arrow Rock, be sure to visit the visitor’s center and other historic buildings. Plan your visit at ArrowRock.org/planyourvisit.php.
Looking for an educational and fun outing with the kids? The St. Louis Science Center (slsc.org) is great for the kids and fun for adults, too. Lots of interactive exhibits make learning fun. The center hosts a planetarium and an Omnimax theater. My first visit was years ago with Boy Scout Troop 92 from Caruthersville. The boys and I all had a great time.
The internet highway is always open for our travel, but IRL highways are sometimes affected by snow, flooding, accidents or construction. It pays to check on the roads before leaving on a roadtrip. The Missouri Department of Transportation makes this easy at traveler.modot.org/map.
As you enjoy Missouri’s winter season, stay warm and safe, and don’t take risks on snow-covered highways. Perhaps a nice cup of hot cocoa and some internet browsing can make a winter snow day pass with pleasure. We may cross paths on the internet or while exploring a Missouri winter town along the Katy Trail. Until then have a great Missouri winter.
It does not have to be a total time of rest for us, though. Missouri provides plenty of fun and interesting things to do during her winter season. During the cold and snow, we can enjoy travel both on her highways and from the warm comfort of our homes as we travel with our computers to visit the many attractions and destinations. To help you in these travels, I have found some interesting websites that can offer a chance to get out of the snowbound house with virtual travel or serve as a pre-trip planning visit.
Do you bicycle? The Katy Trail is a 237-mile-long park/trail that was once the roadbed of railroad trains. BikeKatyTrail.com was developed by Ray Scott, a frequent rider on the trail. Users of the trail may walk, bike or even ride horses (on part of the trail) across Missouri. This excellent site has answers to almost any question about the trail. Even if you don’t plan an actual bike ride, you will enjoy learning about the towns and services along the trail and seeing the photos. If you do plan a trail trip, this site is a must to make it safe and comfortable.
If you are looking for a trail with no bikes and not a lot of walking, then the Hermann Wine Trail might be just the thing. This site at HermannWineTrail.com explains the trail, which is open year-round. The 20-mile-long route meanders through some of the prettiest scenery in Missouri. Along the way, you can visit seven family-owned wineries that feature tastings and other special events on a regular basis. The site includes photos and a link to download a mobile travel guide. They even have a recipe page with selections from each of the wineries. Yummy!
Historic Arrow Rock boasts many attractions, including the Lyceum Theatre. The Lyceum will present “A Christmas Carol” during December this year. Anytime you visit Arrow Rock you might enjoy dining in the Huston Tavern, which can be viewed online at MoStateParks.com/page/54070/dining. It is 177 years old and has served many a traveler in that time. A video on the site shows folks enjoying the family style chicken dinner for which this place is famous. I have personally consumed a flock of those chicken dinners and can vouch for their quality and the friendliness of the servers. While in Arrow Rock, be sure to visit the visitor’s center and other historic buildings. Plan your visit at ArrowRock.org/planyourvisit.php.
Looking for an educational and fun outing with the kids? The St. Louis Science Center (slsc.org) is great for the kids and fun for adults, too. Lots of interactive exhibits make learning fun. The center hosts a planetarium and an Omnimax theater. My first visit was years ago with Boy Scout Troop 92 from Caruthersville. The boys and I all had a great time.
The internet highway is always open for our travel, but IRL highways are sometimes affected by snow, flooding, accidents or construction. It pays to check on the roads before leaving on a roadtrip. The Missouri Department of Transportation makes this easy at traveler.modot.org/map.
As you enjoy Missouri’s winter season, stay warm and safe, and don’t take risks on snow-covered highways. Perhaps a nice cup of hot cocoa and some internet browsing can make a winter snow day pass with pleasure. We may cross paths on the internet or while exploring a Missouri winter town along the Katy Trail. Until then have a great Missouri winter.