Winter 2011
Cold winds blow, snow flurries threaten. Do we care? Winter in Missouri is here and it is time for another great travel season. Even if snow makes IRL travel a little dangerous, we still can visit our great state from the warmth and comfort of our computer. Of course, winter offers many diversions for the Missouri traveler, but the highpoint of any winter is Christmas!
One of Missouri’s most popular travel destinations is Branson. I love Branson, and I often find things there to recommend to my friends and family. Branson’s numerous Christmas season attractions can be found at www.ExploreBranson.com. More than 100 shows (I lost count) are listed on this page with links that provide detailed information. All of them are available during the Christmas season. Included is the Christmas lights driving tour through the Shepherd of the Hills site.
When I travel to Branson, I take Highway 65 south from Springfield. I’ve often noticed the billboard for the Smallin Civil War Cave. I pledged to never take another cave tour, but the website at www.SmallinCave.com has piqued my interest. Located near Ozark, the cave was discovered in 1818 and is the first documented cave in the Ozarks. Of course, local Native Americans used it long before 1818. Various types of tours are offered, including a Christmas tour, which includes an outdoor campfire where stories and hot cocoa are shared. A Civil War tour includes an outdoor campfire with a civil war meal of ham and beans, cornbread and fried ‘taters. Both tours include a lantern light nighttime tour of the cave. The Christmas tour features twinkling Christmas lights and some special Christmas displays. Special tours for school field trips and groups are available. The website features lots of slides and videos with information about the wildlife in the cave and history of the cave.
Augusta, located in the heart of Missouri’s wine country, offers a candlelight walking tour of the downtown area. The webpage at www.missouriwinecountry.com/events/event.php?eventID=52 describes the many features of the tour including viewing beautifully-decorated homes and business. The Montelle Winery (www.Montelle.com) will offer hot soup and fresh bread next to the fireplace at their location. Free Dixieland jazz concerts in the public square, along with a bonfire and food and drink will make this a festive holiday destination.
Historic St. Charles, the place where “Christmas past comes to life,” boasts a wonderfully-designed Christmas website at www.StCharlesChristmas.com. In addition to an abundance of holiday photos, the page includes links delving into the history of many Christmas traditions.
When I grew up on a Missouri farm, we always went out and cut our own Christmas tree. I remember my father and I taking my son to do the same thing when he was just a few years old. Today’s city dwellers who don’t have a farming grandpa may can still experience this holiday tradition at any of a number of Christmas tree farms across the state. Need help finding one? No problem. Just visit pickyourownchristmastree.org/MOxmastrees.php for links to Missouri Christmas tree farms, as well as hints on caring for your tree.
Wherever you are on Christmas, I hope you are able to spend it with friends and family and I hope you take a moment to reflect upon the real reason for the season. From Glasgow, I send you the warmest of Christmas wishes. Perhaps we’ll meet while looking for that perfect tree, touring a cave, singing carols on a candlelight tour or just passing anonymously while driving the interstate or the information superhighway. Have a very Merry Christmas, and be careful on the road.
One of Missouri’s most popular travel destinations is Branson. I love Branson, and I often find things there to recommend to my friends and family. Branson’s numerous Christmas season attractions can be found at www.ExploreBranson.com. More than 100 shows (I lost count) are listed on this page with links that provide detailed information. All of them are available during the Christmas season. Included is the Christmas lights driving tour through the Shepherd of the Hills site.
When I travel to Branson, I take Highway 65 south from Springfield. I’ve often noticed the billboard for the Smallin Civil War Cave. I pledged to never take another cave tour, but the website at www.SmallinCave.com has piqued my interest. Located near Ozark, the cave was discovered in 1818 and is the first documented cave in the Ozarks. Of course, local Native Americans used it long before 1818. Various types of tours are offered, including a Christmas tour, which includes an outdoor campfire where stories and hot cocoa are shared. A Civil War tour includes an outdoor campfire with a civil war meal of ham and beans, cornbread and fried ‘taters. Both tours include a lantern light nighttime tour of the cave. The Christmas tour features twinkling Christmas lights and some special Christmas displays. Special tours for school field trips and groups are available. The website features lots of slides and videos with information about the wildlife in the cave and history of the cave.
Augusta, located in the heart of Missouri’s wine country, offers a candlelight walking tour of the downtown area. The webpage at www.missouriwinecountry.com/events/event.php?eventID=52 describes the many features of the tour including viewing beautifully-decorated homes and business. The Montelle Winery (www.Montelle.com) will offer hot soup and fresh bread next to the fireplace at their location. Free Dixieland jazz concerts in the public square, along with a bonfire and food and drink will make this a festive holiday destination.
Historic St. Charles, the place where “Christmas past comes to life,” boasts a wonderfully-designed Christmas website at www.StCharlesChristmas.com. In addition to an abundance of holiday photos, the page includes links delving into the history of many Christmas traditions.
When I grew up on a Missouri farm, we always went out and cut our own Christmas tree. I remember my father and I taking my son to do the same thing when he was just a few years old. Today’s city dwellers who don’t have a farming grandpa may can still experience this holiday tradition at any of a number of Christmas tree farms across the state. Need help finding one? No problem. Just visit pickyourownchristmastree.org/MOxmastrees.php for links to Missouri Christmas tree farms, as well as hints on caring for your tree.
Wherever you are on Christmas, I hope you are able to spend it with friends and family and I hope you take a moment to reflect upon the real reason for the season. From Glasgow, I send you the warmest of Christmas wishes. Perhaps we’ll meet while looking for that perfect tree, touring a cave, singing carols on a candlelight tour or just passing anonymously while driving the interstate or the information superhighway. Have a very Merry Christmas, and be careful on the road.