Missouri

Jefferson National Expansion Memorial

One of my favorite trips was to see my granddaughter in 1990 when she was two years old.  We drove through Missouri on our way to Iowa and enjoyed a short visit in St. Louis on the way home.   I used to be afraid of heights but decided that I wanted to see the view from the top of the St. Louis Arch anyway.  We rode up in one of the little trams which was quite an experience.  Once they closed the door on us, it felt like we were eggs in an egg crate .  Looking out the window of this little pod allowed a view of the interior of the Arch structure which was interesting. 

 

Vintage 1960s view from Arch observation room

The Gateway Arch is a memorial built to honor those pioneers who dared to cross this country to build new lives for themselves, not knowing what their future might hold and also to honor Thomas Jefferson for his role in opening the West for expansion.  There is a museum under the arch that includes many quotes taken from the journals and diaries of pioneers.   The Arch itself is immense when viewed from ground level but the view from the top is breathtaking.   

We also enjoyed a brewery tour to see the brewing process step by step and enjoyed complimentary samples in a tasting room at the end of the tour.  A gift shop attached featured unique collectible items. 

 Vintage postcard of Becky Thatcher Paddle Wheeler

In front of the Arch on the Mississippi River was a restaurant on a paddle wheel steam boat named The Robert E. Lee.   It was an experience to have dinner in an atmosphere that has been recreated to reflect life as it was a hundred years ago.   In 2010 this boat burned but I understand there are other paddle wheelers available for cruising on the Mississippi. http://explorestlouis.com/  

 

Table Rock Dam, near Branson

If you took Las Vegas, mixed it up with Nashville and added a splash of New York City, you might end up with something like Branson Missouri.  Branson is a city that has grown into a large family friendly tourist area in the south western part of Missouri.  Silver Dollar City and The Shepherd of the Hills Outdoor drama have celebrated their 50^th anniversary.  Many other attractions and theaters have been added in those fifty years, especially country music productions.  Branson, Silver Dollar City and the surrounding area attract almost 8 million people each year and can be a great vacation destination.  http://www.branson.com/

 

Mark Twain, the author of Tom Sawyer 

Kansas City is the Capitol City; Hannibal is the city where Mark Twain’s boyhood home is located; and Springfield is the home of the Bass Pro Shops, one of the most complete sports supply companies. These cities and many more each have their own unique museums, art galleries, shops and tourist attractions.  Some of the best bass and trout fishing lakes along with the Ozark Mountains, caves and other outdoor venues provide all types of outdoor activities.   

Again, I have only touched on a few places in Missouri.  If Missouri is a place for you to explore, check out their website first so you can choose the places you would like best.  http://www.visitmo.com/  

Mississippi

Old Presbyterian Church, Rodney, Mississippi

As I write these bits and pieces about each state I have begun to realize what an impossible task I have set for myself.  To describe any of the states in just a few paragraphs, mentioning only two or three things, is like trying to describe France by saying it has the Eiffel Tower and lots of vineyards.  There is no way to do justice to any of these states so please understand that I am only describing my favorite places or places I would like to see even though there are hundreds of other places in each state that could be your favorite place.  

Mississippi is a southern state with all the charm and hospitality the south is known for.  Plantation homes, cypress trees, Spanish moss, catfish, sweet tea and pecan pie are a few things that come to my mind when I think of Mississippi.   

  

Natchez Trace Parkway, Loess Bluff

 Following The Natchez Trace Parkway is a relaxing way to see the natural beauty and learn about the history and culture of this region, including the pre-historic Native American mounds.  The Trace winds through Mississippi, Alabama and into Tennessee for a total of almost 450 miles.  For further information regarding hiking, biking and camping, and places to see, check out their website at http://www.nps.gov/natr/index.htm.

The western border of the state is the Mississippi River and the land along it is both fertile and flood prone.  There is a great amount of beauty in the old plantation homes, the rolling fields of cotton or soybeans, peanuts or sweet potatoes.  Touring a plantation home is well worth the time and small tour fee.

Fort Massachusetts on Ship Island Mississippi

Some of my favorite places may have changed since Hurricane Katrina.  Biloxi is one place near where we lived in Louisiana so we could drive over to the beach at Biloxi in just a few hours.  Biloxi was hit hard by Katrina and I have not been back since then.  It was always a nice beach town that we enjoyed so I hope it has recovered well.  

Excursion Boat to Ship Island

We especially enjoyed Ship Island near Biloxi.  Half the fun was the boat ride out to the island.  This barrier island has a nice white sand beach, restroom/changing rooms, a concession stand for snacks and drinks and an old fort to explore.   Unless it has changed, there is nothing else there except the board walk across the island from the boat landing to the beach. 

Music enthusiasts will enjoy the Blues Archives at the University of Mississippi in Oxford, one of the many places to follow the history of the birth of the Blues.  Those who are Elvis fans may want to visit his birthplace in Tupelo.  There are also many places to find the origins of Country Music as it was also born in Mississippi.  

Brochure from Exhibit

One of my favorite memories is of a visit to the Mississippi Arts Pavilion to see a special exhibit of the Palaces of St. Petersburg in 1996.  (The brochure photo is to the left.)  Our granddaughter, who was eight years old at the time, was with us.  She was absolutely fascinated with the Coronation Carriage of Tsar Alexander II, one of the ball gowns and the Faberge Eggs on display.   

It is always worth finding out what exhibits might be on display at any museum you plan to visit.

The interactive website for Mississippi tourism is http://www.visitmississippi.org/.  They have much more information, plenty of photos and a special section for International travelers.

Minnesota

Split Rock Lighthouse on Lake Superior in Northern Minnesota

Fly into the St. Paul/Minneapolis airport, take the light rail into Bloomington and enter the world of Mall of America!  With more stores than you can imagine in three stories, an amusement park, aquarium, movie theaters, restaurants  and hotels, you can spend your vacation in just this one spot.   The St. Paul/Minneapolis metropolitan area embraces a number of surrounding smaller towns including Bloomington.  Within the metropolitan area are the homes of 60% of the people of Minnesota.  Night life, museums, art galleries and more are found along with many local neighborhood festivities.   

You can find do-it-yourself breweries or enjoy one of the many local breweries or wineries, find a feast at a large selection of restaurants, visit a museum or an art gallery, attend a theatrical production or relax in a neighborhood park.  Of course, this is just the frosting on the cake.  Like the hidden prize inside a cake, Minnesota can surprise you with the variety of landscapes and things to do. 

 Leave the city life behind and enjoy one of the many scenic byways, especially enjoyable from the seat of a motorcycle.  Try the Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway to enjoy birding, biking, hiking and fishing.  The Paul Bunyan State Trail boasts 70 miles of paved trail for inline skating and biking.  (Paul Bunyan is the hero of American lumbering industry folklore.)

St. Paul Cathedral, built of Minnesota granite

 Minnesota is called the land of 10,000 lakes; actually there are over 11,000 lakes.   Lake Superior forms a portion of the Minnesota border so fishing and other water sports are plentiful.  The Mississippi River begins in the area that is now Itasca State Park and grows as it moves south through the state.  The Great River Road is a state and national byway that follows the Mississippi River for 575 miles from its headwaters south to its border with Iowa.  The Mississippi River Trail for bikers also follows a similar route.

Minnesota was settled by many immigrants from European countries, especially Scandinavian and German settlers who came to farm, run dairies or work in the lumber or mining industries.   Many descendents of these original pioneers remain in Minnesota.  You can visit Hjemkomst Center in Moorhead to learn about the Scandinavian influence in the history of Minnesota.  There you can see replicas of a Viking ship and a stave church.  The Twin Cities host an annual Deutsche Tage (German Days) in early summer.  

Mayo Clinic Building - Rpchester

 Bordering on Canada, Minnesota is one of those states with enough winter weather for many outdoor winter sports.  Ice fishing is popular and it is possible to rent an ice fishing hut.  There are many miles of snowmobile trails.  Down hill skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, hockey and ice skating are all available and popular sports.

I have only touched on a few of the many places to see and things to do here.  My favorite memories of Minnesota are of tractor riding at a relative’s farm, seeing the beginnings of the Mississippi River from my seat on an Amtrak train ride, exploring the Mall of America shopping for a gift for a new great niece.  To make your own memories of Minnesota, log on to their website at http://exploreminnesota.com/index.aspx 

 

 

Computer problems

My computer has been giving me problems and I have spent several days on the phone trying to get things corrected.  I also have been trying to organize a Meet Up for Postcrossing members in our state of Arkansas which has taken some additional time.  I promise I will have Minnesota posted within the next few days.  My apologies to anyone who reads my blog and wondered if I just disappeared.  Mary Jane

Michigan

1958 Vintage card showing Mackinac Bridge - the largest
suspension bridge in the world -anchorage to anchorage
Opened November 1, 1957

Michigan is a state that has four of the Great Lakes as its borders.  Lake Michigan, Lake Huron and the Straits of Mackinac actually divide what is called the Upper Peninsula from the Lower Peninsula.    This northwestern section of the state is mostly forested and home to one of the world’s oldest mountain ranges.  For the outdoor sportsman, the Upper Peninsula is paradise. For extreme adventure you can visit Isle Royale National Park located in the waters of Lake Huron.  It is accessible only by boat or seaplane and remains a remote wilderness with an abundance of wildlife including wolves and moose.    

 
Tourists flock to Mackinac Island for their own “Somewhere in Time” experience.   The hotel where this popular movie was filmed is The Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island. An exclusive resort community, quaint shops, no motorized vehicles and a look at the Victorian era  have made this island a prime destination.  I have never been to the Upper Peninsula and would love to see it. 
  

Petosky stones shaped to look like Michigan

 

 

 

 

When I visit Michigan I usually am in Traverse City to visit my brother and my sisters-in- law who live nearby.  Traverse City is very tourist oriented as it is one of the most popular places in Michigan.  The Grand Traverse Bay is usually filled with those enjoying all kinds of water sports from sailing to wind surfing to beach combing for Petosky stones. The Petosky Stone is the state stone and one found only in Michigan.  The stones are actually fossilized coral that were formed by the pressure of glaciers and polished over eons in the waters of Lake Michigan to become the smooth stones found along beaches in the spring.  When dry they appear to be plain limestone pebbles but when wet or polished they reveal the unique fossilized coral.

Sleeping Bear Dune Climb Score Card

One of my sisters –in-law lives near the end of the Mission Peninsula in a wonderful home in the pine trees on the bay.  Just a short distance north of her place is the Mission Lighthouse. Traveling to her home from Traverse City you drive by many orchards.  At one time they were all cherry orchards but vineyards for wine have begun to appear.  There is a small general store that has been there for many years and is now a wonderful stop to glimpse into days past.  No matter where you are in Michigan, you are never far from the water of one of the Great Lakes, rivers or other lakes.  There are 150 lighthouses in Michigan, more than any other state.  The Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes are one of many dunes in Michigan. 

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Frankenmuth Bavarian Inn

The economy has taken a toll on several Michigan cities including Detroit.  There is still much to see in this city built by the automobile industry.  It may be struggling at the moment but the Michigan people are determined to come back strong and American cars are succeeding once more.   The Presidential Library of Gerald Ford is located in Detroit along with the Henry Ford Museum.  Battle Creek is famous for its cereal industry, Ann Arbor is a college town, Frankenmuth is called “little Bavaria” with a strong German influence, Lansing is the state capitol city and there are a number of other cities, each with their own history and attractions.
 

One of the most interesting places to visit is Holland, Michigan.  Just as its name implies, this city has a strong Dutch heritage.  There is a wooden shoe and Delft factory, a tulip farm, Windmill Island Gardens and an annual Tulip Time Festival at the beginning of May when the tulips bloom.  Located along the shore of Lake Michigan, there are plenty of water activities plus the beach.  For more information and schedule of events visit their website at http://www.holland.org

Pine Mountain Ski Jump

 

 

 

 Winter finds many skiers on the slopes of Iron Mountain.  At the time of this vintage postcard it was considered to be the world's highest artificial ski slide. You can also go dog sledding, ice sailing or ice climbing.  Michigan is the birthplace for snowboarding and cross country skiing is also very popular.  There are miles of cross country ski trails and snowmobile trails.  I have only touched on a few places to see in Michigan and there is so much more.  Check out their website at http://www.michigan.org

Massachusetts



This should have been the easiest post for me but it has been the most difficult.  I apologize for taking so long but it is hard to choose just a few from the many wonderful places in Massachusetts.  This state was my home when I was in Junior High School and then again for the first fourteen years of our marriage.  This is where our children were born and the place where they all started to school.  Although it has been a number of years since we left Massachusetts, it still holds a special place in my heart and we return to see old friends when we can.  It is where I met my husband and where we loved our little ones, taking them places when they were young. 



Paul Revere's home in Boston



Eastern Massachusetts is where much of our country’s history began.  Plymouth Rock marks the place where some of our earliest pilgrims came ashore.  The Boston Tea Party was one of the sparks that ignited our Revolutionary War.  



Mapparium, located within
the Mary Baker Eddy Library
Eastern Hemisphere View



Boston is the center of this history but also for many other attractions such as Fenway Park (home of the Red Sox baseball team, several museums, including the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library, The Mary Baker Eddy Library, Boston Gardens, and other famous landmarks such as Faneuil Hall. 



Vintage Fun Map of Cape Cod



Cape Cod, Nantucket Island and Martha’s Vineyard are attractions for those who love beaches, sailing and quaint villages built when whaling was “king”.  



Boston University



Harvard University, Brandeis University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Tufts University, Boston College, Wellesley, Amherst and Smith Colleges (well known schools with exceptional reputations) are all located in Massachusetts, many of them in the Boston area. 







Some of these schools are located in small towns, such as Smith College in Northhampton.  There you will find quaint shops, bookstores, restaurants and other places that cater to the needs of the student population.   We found a marvelous restaurant called The Green Bean near the center of Northampton that serves wonderful sandwiches, soups and salads for lunch.  They utilize ingredients from local vendors which results in exceptionally tasty food.  Their menu is posted on their website. 



Self Portrait by Norman Rockwell



Art, Dance and Theater Festivals are widespread in the Berkshire Mountain area of western Massachusetts.   Stockbridge is home to the Norman Rockwell Museum and the location for many cultural events, especially Tanglewood Music Center.   http://www.stockbridgechamber.org/



Candlemaking at Old Sturbridge Village



We lived in the Connecticut River Valley city of Springfield, a short distance from Old Sturbridge Village which is one of those “must see” places in my opinion.   You can see a typical New England Village from around 1800.  Historians dress in garments similar to those worn at that time and demonstrate many of the skills and crafts used by the early settlers.  Do check out their website for more details at http://www.osv.org/

 With a young family, an old car and not much spare money, most of our exploring was done close to home.   One of the many things Springfield is famous for is the birth of Basketball.  The Basketball Hall of Fame is just south of the downtown area and we enjoyed seeing it a few years ago when we returned for a visit.  The creator of the “Dr. Seuss” books is also from Springfield.  Another author of children’s books, Thornton Burgess, lived in nearby Hampden. His home is now home to the Laughing Brook Wildlife Sanctuary.  Sad to say, we never made the trip to Cape Cod in all the years we lived in Massachusetts.  That is one place I really would have enjoyed.    

Summer time is blueberry picking time and we all loved our time at the blueberry farm, filling our buckets.  Even the littlest one was given a tiny bucket.  More blueberries were eaten while picking than we brought home for the freezer.  In the middle of the winter it was a special treat to have fresh (thawed) blueberry muffins for breakfast which reminded us of the summer fun.

Pioneer Valley with tobacco farms
along the Connecticut River

In the fall we used to drive up Pioneer Valley to pick our own apples and perhaps pick out a pumpkin or two for Halloween.   We used to make this a special Sunday trip, bringing along lunch for our last picnic before winter.   There was a place high on a cliff above the valley with picnic tables so we could enjoy the view while we ate.  The foliage in the fall in New England is spectacular with all the different brilliant colors.  Farmers all over the area had “pick your own” signs or roadside stands to buy fresh produce.  One year we found a special on a big bag of sweet onions.  The afternoon was spent making our own onion rings to freeze.  Everyone had a job on the assembly line so it was a fun whole family event.  The kitchen, the onions, the floor and everyone were covered in flour!



Early Whaling Days
Nantucket, Massachusetts



This post has brought back many fond memories for me and if you ever travel to Massachusetts, I hope your visit brings you many fond memories too.  To discover all that Massachusetts has to offer, check out their website at http://www.massvacation.com/