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