Highway 21 in Southeast Missouri has many parks and attractions to visit in a relatively short distance. Just south of Desoto is Washington State Park with trails, campgrounds, a swimming pool, and the Big River to swim or canoe in. Going south from there is Potosi, where just down the road to the right on…
Summertime brings a complimentary mix of heat, humidity and the splash of cool, flowing river waters as folks get off the beaten path near Cassville, Missouri, in the heart of Barry County: one of southwest Missouri’s crowning jewels. While some might enjoy the instant retreat offered by the rippling river and the shade of the…
Petroglyphs are images created by removing part of a rock surface by carving or engraving. In Missouri, Native American petroglyphs can be found at Washington State Park, Thousand Hills State Park, and in a historic archeological site near Holliday, Mo., in Monroe County. One of several places in Illinois where petroglyphs can be found is…
I have an appreciation for author Bill Bryson’s humor and wit. When he claimed something was “so bad, it was worth more than we paid” in his novel In a Sunburned Country, it really made me chuckle. The truth is that I am right there with him. There are so many places in America that…
By Matt Ankney Big Thompson Canyon, located between Loveland and Estes Park, Colo., is a premier summertime destination attracting visitors from all over the world. Thousands of eager anglers seeking a unique Rocky Mountain outdoor experience descend into the rugged canyon each week in chest-high insulated waders to fly-fish the invigorating crystal clear mountain stream. …
When you have 3 grandkids that love coming with you on vacation, you should take advantage of it. Nancy and I did just that recently with Jovi, Faith and their big brother, Connor. Nancy and I find time to go to Lake of the Ozarks at least once a year. Our destination is always…
I was exploring the backroads south of St. Clair a few years ago and stumbled upon Little Indian Creek Conservation Area in Sullivan, Mo. This gem is far from little. Coming in at 4,204 acres, this area packs quite a punch! There are shooting ranges and trails, along with camping options and the creek itself….
If you are looking for a interesting, unique but beautiful place to visit this summer, stop by the Black Madonna Shrine near Pacific, Missouri. The Black Madonna Shrine and Grottos are located on 300 acres in the foothills of the Ozarks. A grotto is a cave or artificial recess or structure made to resemble a…
