I know I can be pretty goofy. I get a kick out of childish and kitschy things despite pushing the BIG 50. So, imagine my delight when billboards started popping up along I-44 several years ago for the “World’s Largest Rocker” just outside of Cuba, Mo., in Fanning. Once upon a time, Danny Sanazaro wanted…
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…
This past week we have been in the presence of giants. Almost ageless giants. At the least, very aged giants. Very old giants. And giants they are. All nearing thirty feet in circumference. All more than fifty feet tall. All over eight feet in diameter. They are live-oak trees in South Carolina. The Middleton…
A proposed 375-mile-long scenic byway is headed to several communities for public meetings and a vote of approval. The Scenic Missouri group submitted the proposal, called “Ozark Run,” to the Missouri Department of Transportation, which is authorized to create a state system of scenic byways to preserve cultural, natural, archeological, rustic, historic or recreational roads…
After traveling through the miles and miles of corn, hayfields, sorghum, maze and soybeans, along with livestock, I was in overload of how much agriculture there was. The US is surely the breadbasket of the world. I know there has to be other places that could be producing these commodities but there are hundreds and…
Since we live in the state that touts the Ozarks, how many of us actually know where the Ozark Mountains are? When I was about 16 years old, I worked at a gas station in the south county area. While I was filling up a gas tank for some customers, they asked me, “Where are…
The history along the Oregon Trail has tried to be collected and saved throughout the years. Some of the routes and stories have been changed a bit by organizations trying to get their name and works better known for those who are to come along latter. According to the 1850 census, one-quarter of the Oregon…
