Step Into History – Jesse James Farm

When you step into history, it can lead to just as many questions as it does answers. During a recent discussion, we pondered why people are so fascinated with the notorious desperados who grab the headlines. From gangsters to bandits, there is something fascinating about their stories. A trip to the outskirts of Kearney, Missouri landed us at The Jesse James Birthplace and Museum. Nestled in the rolling hills of northwest Missouri, this tranquil spot was home to one of the most notorious bandits in America. We've all heard of the escapades of this outlaw, but we were interested in what turned him [...]

By |2021-04-05T03:53:50-06:00April 9th, 2021|Kansas City Vicinity|0 Comments
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How To Sample Atchison, Kansas In One Day

It's easy to find the statistics for just about any city or town, but they will not tell the whole story. To get a true taste of any destination requires experiencing it firsthand. Over the years, we have discovered a formula that helps us make the most of our time. This has been used for large and small destinations and we always leave with a sense of accomplishment. A recent itinerary we created was designed to show you how to sample Atchison, Kansas in one day. This city of 11,000 people has some unique flavors that make for a great day trip. Meet [...]

By |2021-03-30T06:20:43-06:00March 30th, 2021|Atchison, Daytrips, Kansas City Vicinity|10 Comments
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Rising To The Challenge – Atchison History

The city of Atchison, Kansas has a long history of rising to the challenge. Squatting along the banks of the Missouri River, the town was founded just a decade before the start of the Civil War. This Midwestern city of around 11,000 has seen its own struggles. Their delay in constructing a bridge to span the Missouri River would give nearby cities a leg up in the future. While Atchison would be destined to lose much of its manufacturing power, this city on the bluffs would find its niche in today's world. Atchison History We took a short excursion from our hometown to [...]

By |2021-03-24T05:48:20-06:00March 23rd, 2021|Kansas City Vicinity|0 Comments
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The Search For Amelia

On a high bluff overlooking the Missouri River, Amelia Earhart came into the world. While the small town she grew up in may seem quiet, the urge for adventure stirred deep in her heart. The two-story cottage stands as a reminder of the amazing flying feats performed by this aviation pioneer. The world knows her for the many aviation records she set, but there was so much more to this girl from Atchison, Kansas. We embarked on our own search for Amelia with a visit to the Amelia Earhart Birthplace Museum. Humble Home From our home in Kansas City, it is only about [...]

By |2021-03-16T06:17:23-06:00March 16th, 2021|Atchison, Kansas City Vicinity|12 Comments
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Route 66 Museum – Lebanon, Missouri

Few highways have captured the American spirit like Route 66. This nostalgic thoroughfare has been dubbed "The Mother Road" and "Main Street of America". With 2,448 miles of open road, it led travelers from Chicago to Los Angeles. Along the way, drivers would find iconic stops to satisfy just about every need. This famous path has become immortalized in movies, books, and a number of memorials. Just about every city and town along the way has looked for a way to embrace its drawing power. For those carving out the road in sections, you will likely find at least one Route 66 museum [...]

By |2021-03-09T07:26:44-06:00March 9th, 2021|Midwest, Missouri, Route 66|8 Comments
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Amtrak Escape – All Aboard For Hermann, Missouri

It's hard to believe we had never taken a real train trip. The stories that friends have told, about experiencing the views along the rolling tracks, have intrigued us. It is just that we have always fallen back on the reasoning that we would need our car for convenience. The day finally came when we had to set aside the excuses and planned our first Amtrak escape. It seemed that a day trip would be best so that we could ease into the idea of going carless. As we planned for the excursion, our minds were filled with the romanticized perceptions of the [...]

By |2021-03-24T14:26:30-06:00March 5th, 2021|Daytrips, Hermann, Midwest, Missouri|10 Comments
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Test Of Time – Route 66 Local Love

Midwesterners have had a long love affair with the open road. While there are many wonderful destinations scattered across the region, often one is faced with a significant drive. The invention of roads helped make travel more feasible and shortened the time needed to move from point to point. One of our favorite thoroughfares to explore is Route 66, which is often referred to as the "Mother Road". One of America's first highways, the love for this path has stood the test of time. Even today, travelers spend hours and hours planning their own excursions down the route. Glory Days Cruising along Route [...]

By |2021-03-02T07:14:15-06:00March 2nd, 2021|Midwest, Missouri, Route 66|4 Comments
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Wine And Wurst – Hermann Oktoberfest

Hermann, Missouri is steeped in the German heritage that the founding fathers brought from the east. While time has certainly allowed a variety of new tastes to enter the scene, the old world still holds a place in the hearts of residents and visitors alike. Strolling through the downtown, one can almost imagine themselves being whisked away to the bank of the Rhine. The slower pace is a good match for the ages-old architecture that dominates the landscape. With Oktoberfest in full swing, we were on a mission to find the wine and wurst that this river town has made famous. Lay of [...]

By |2021-02-22T18:40:56-06:00February 26th, 2021|Hermann, Midwest, Missouri|2 Comments
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Route 66 Road Trip – Road From Rolla

Our country is filled with an array of vacation opportunities. Just about any type of diversion can be found, if you know where to look. One of our favorite activities is exploring the haunts that early drivers would find across the United States. An easy way to do this is a Route 66 road trip. Running from Chicago to Los Angeles, it served travelers for generations. Even before it was paved, in 1926, it was still winding its way through big cities and small towns across the country. Road from Rolla During the Dust Bowl days, many would follow this path west to [...]

By |2021-02-23T07:26:34-06:00February 23rd, 2021|Midwest, Missouri, Route 66|10 Comments
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Taming The Wilderness – Hermann History Museum

In the mid-1800s, much of the land west of the Mississippi River was still untamed. Land agents in the east offered immigrants promises of fertile lands teeming with possibility. Upon arriving in their new locations, the dreams of milk and honey would often sour. Such was the case for a group of German farmers who were sold a patch of land along the Missouri River. Being of hearty stock, they set out to the task of taming the wilderness. Building a life would not be easy, but they faced the challenge by using what they found around them. The Hermann History Museum offers [...]

By |2021-02-13T15:36:11-06:00February 19th, 2021|Hermann, Midwest, Missouri|0 Comments
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