Saxon history, natural beauty, geologic wonders all abound in Perry County
By Emery Styron
River Hills Traveler
“Ball Mill Resurgence, Ball Mill Resurgence, Ball Mill Resurgence.”
That phrase has been running through my mind for a week now. It sounds like a good name for a band, but it’s actually an interesting place in an interesting county.
The county is Perry, and Ball Mill Resurgence is a sinkhole with an intermittent artesian well at the bottom that makes the stone basin function at times as a gigantic rock tumbler. Or so A.J. Hendershott of the Cape Girardeau MDC office described it to me on the phone.
East Perry County is the subject of Traveler’s “destination” feature in this month’s issue. I couldn’t have asked for a friendlier reception than the one I received as I visited Saxon Lutheran sites, wineries, conservation areas and businesses in this gorgeous area over the past two months.
Our East Perry County spread appears on Pages 16-18. Jo Schaper’s Rock Talk on Page 13 discusses Ball Mill Resurgence, Tower Rock and some of the other wondrous geological formations of Perry County.
Another special feature this month is our Guide to Fall Festivals in Traveler Country on Pages 20-21. There are a world of events out there, ranging from mouses race and a rubber ducky float to a Japanese tea ceremony.
Does anything sound more inviting than taking in a Ozarks Country festival on a deliciously cool autumn morning? Well, maybe floating a clear, cold stream and catching a lunker smallmouth. Why not do both?
A quirk of the calendar and my desire to take Labor Day week off, means your October issue will be slightly later than you’re used to. It will print on Oct. 1 and go into the mail the next day.
Finally, we’re asking Traveler readers to tell us their favorite people, places and outdoor service providers. Please share your favorites via the ballot on Page 3. We’ll announce the results in December. With your help, we’ll have lots of ballots to tally.
