Anyone else find it more difficult to listen to their boss talk about key performance indicators when the mornings are crisp and the leaves start falling?
"Like, metrics are cool and all, but what's your favorite place to hike in the fall?" ⬅️ That's my contribution to the conference call.
Get Outside - The Todd Fink Heron Pond Trail
Date idea: Whisk your cutie away to an ancient swamp in Southern Illinois. I know, such a cliche. I'm a hopeless romantic.
This week, we're sweeping you off your feet to the Todd Fink Heron Pond Trail. It is one of many at Cache River State Natural Area, where you can also find a canoe trail and five miles of the famous Tunnel Hill State (bicycle) Trail. These folks love trails.
Trail Details:
- Think of this trail as shaped like the letter "Y". When you get to the fork in the trail, left takes you to a boardwalk with bald cypress and water tupelos. If you only walk this side of the trail, it's about 1.5 miles total, out-and-back.
- If you add the right side of the fork, you'll walk a total of around 2.3 miles. This side takes you to the State Champion Cherrybark Oak tree. It has recently split, but it's still a more impressive than watching reels about why you probably have ADHD. Anybody else's algorithm think they have ADHD?
- Most of the trail is a wide gravel surface. So, if you're still wary of ticks (which you should be), there's not a lot of brushing up against greenery.
- In the fall (currently), the pond/swamp is more like a mud flat. Not much water. If it's water you're looking for, wait for some rain as we draw closer to winter.
- Are you ready for how macho this sentence is going to sound?: This is one of my favorite trails to go birding for little dudes who hang out in dense underbrush.
- The trail follows Dutchman Creek. Who doesn't love a water feature?
- It's a low-difficulty trail, and a popular one to take outdoor-loving doggies on walks.
- The road to reach the trailhead is gravel. There is a vault toilet and tons of parking.
Make It a Day Trip
If you're one of those, "Just two miles???" people...I get it. Some folks hike for exercise. I used to be one of you. But since I've gotten into birding (Pokémon for adults), it takes us a long time to finish a two-mile trail. Like I said, there are many other trails to hike in the area that you can tack onto this outing.
I also HIGHLY recommend stopping at the Henry N. Barkhausen Cache River Wetlands Center. The building is beautiful, the exhibits are fascinating, and you can get insider tips from a natural resources specialist. Christmas is flying in fast and I'm hard pressed to think of a better gift than nature-themed goodies that benefit wetlands conservation and restoration. Wink, wink, hint, hint, this is where you can shop for me. I like the native species earrings.
Before you go, you could also book a guided kayak tour with Cache Bayou Outfitters. Get a perspective on the swamp from the water and see 1,000-year-old trees.
Or load up your bike and ride the Tunnel Hill State Trail a while.
All October, we're running local lore for your spectral enjoyment
Otherworldly Activity at Port Cape Girardeau Restaurant and Lounge
If you don't frequent the restaurants of downtown Cape Girardeau, you may recognize Port Cape as the building by the river with the massive, hand painted 1920s-era Coca-Cola advertisement.
Built sometime in the 1860's, Port Cape is one of the oldest buildings in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. It was around for the underground railroad, the Civil War, and prohibition.
According to the book Haunted Cape Girardeau*, by Joel P Rhodes, the best source on the Port Cape ghost(s) was the late Dale Pruett. He was employed at Port Cape for over forty years, during which, he had unexplainable experiences and collected plenty of stories from colleagues and visitors: strange noises, running water in unattended sinks, lights turned on and off, bulbs unscrewed from their sockets, floating lights, curiosities in photos, glimpses of dark floating figures, phantom footsteps, doors opening and slamming shut, racks of glasses thrown from tables, and items moving across the bar on their own.
Dale named the ghost(s) Belle and shortly after, an unattended bell was rung.
In the book, Pruett is quoted as having said, "I had somebody ask me, what would you tell somebody that didn't believe in ghosts? I said, 'Move into a haunted house.'"
Source: Haunted Cape Girardeau: Where the River Turns a Thousand Chilling Tales* by Joel P. Rhodes
*The link is a Barnes & Noble affiliate link
SIGHTING: All the birds at your feeder hate to see them coming. Sometimes iridescent, sometimes covered in spots, it's the crazy common (but beautiful) European Starling. Spotted in massive flocks all over the place right now.
TRAVEL RADIO: Last Friday's segment featured a day trip with a walkable downtown, girlie boutiques, historic buildings, restaurants, museums, a winery, and nature trails in Kimmswick, MO (2-minute listen) in partnership with KRCU Public Radio.
VIDEO SHORT: In case the radio piece wasn't convincing enough, here's a short video of our day in Kimmswick, MO
REVEALING MY SOURCES: Cache River State Natural Area posts about their upcoming events for kids and adults on their Facebook page.
Help Out & Pitch In
Way to Give Back #1: For 50 years, KRCU has given Southeast Missouri news, music, and fascinating voices. It's a place to tell local stories, advertise local businesses, and gives SEMO students experience. KRCU lost $150,000 in federal funding one year ago. You can help support our NPR member station during the fall drive, going on now!
Way to Give Back #2: Cape G's Muddy River Half Marathon is running a little low on the elbow part of the elbow grease. For the show to go on, they're looking for "volunteers to join the team and help with planning, organizing, fundraising, race-day operations, and other areas where you can make a difference." You don't have to be a runner. Any ol' warm body who believes in an event that donates to local non profits will do. Details in this post.
Scarier Than an Actual Ghost
I'm less afraid of a floating Victorian woman with her head in her hands at Port Cape than this attraction. That being said, I'll still DO IT. It's a tradition and it's fun. It's just scarier to me than an actual ghost. But some of y'all are built a little different and prefer the tension of knowing a deranged clown is going to jump out.
Cape's Haunted Hall of Horror is opening at the AC Brase Arena this Friday, Oct 9.
It's a long maze of freak shows, asylum prisoners, dolls that come to life, aforementioned creepy clowns, and more.
Want the fun without the cardiac arrest?? Grab a glow stick for $1 so the goblins know to turn the terror down. Even though glowsticks make this experience more accessible across age groups, kids 12 and under must always be with an adult.
Remember: You don't have to be faster than the guy with a chainsaw; you just have to be faster than at least one friend.
See flier for dates, times, and prices. Buy tickets at the door.
*Sponsored by VisitCape
Want to share an upcoming event with 2,300+ Southeast Missourians looking for things to do? Read more about how to add an event to Backroad Weekly's 'This Weekend's Happenings'.
This Weekend’s Happenings
Fri, Oct 9
DarkSky Missouri Festival, Van Buren, MO - Did you know Van Buren's Big Spring offers one of the darkest night skies in the Midwest? This weekend, there will be expert talks, guided hikes, constellation tours, and telescope viewing.
Sip-N-Spook, Cape Girardeau, MO - See a video presentation before taking a walking ghost tour to The Glenn with a local historian. Upon arrival, split up into small groups for two hours of investigations in the house with the folks from Cape's American Ghost Project. Tickets $31.
Book Sale, Jackson, MO - Get books at great prices. Proceeds benefit the Jackson Library. 9am-5pm
Downtown Block Party, Farmington, MO - Free live music on the plaza. 7-10pm. Hope you haven't pulled your lawn chairs out of your trunk yet.
Babblin' Bout Broadway, Farmington, MO - "A fun, fast-paced cabaret celebrating the history and stories of Farmington, Missouri." 7pm. $15
Little Grassy Get Down, Makanda, IL - A 3-day, family-friendly music festival featuring Americana music from artists across the Midwest. There will be guided bike rides, tattoos, yoga, jam classes, and contra dancing.
River City Ghost Tours, Paducah, KY - "Venture, if you dare, into the shadowy heart of Paducah"
Sat, Oct 10
DarkSky Missouri Festival, Van Buren, MO - Join astronomers and naturalists as they set up telescopes and share their knowledge of the night sky at one of the darkest skies in all of the Midwest.
Birds & Brew, Puxico, MO - Grab some coffee with a group of birders at 7am. At 7:30am, hit the mile-long boardwalk trail. Registration required. Beginner birdwatchers welcome! No experience or knowledge required. Binoculars can be provided for you.
Voices of the Past: Downtown Cemetery Tour, Farmington, MO - An old jail, hayride, cemeteries, and stories about the past. Free. A tour will begin every 15 minutes, 4:30-7:30pm.
Babblin' Bout Broadway, Farmington, MO - "Enjoy Broadway tunes, local history, and plenty of laughs as we take a musical journey through Farmington’s past!" 7pm. $15
Moonlight Over the Mississippi, Cape Girardeau, MO - A witches' night out event. Run around and shop downtown like a kid in your best witchy and/or warlock gear. $50. Click the link to see all the goodies included in the registration fee. 3-10pm
Dresses to Die For, Cape Girardeau, MO - Learn the customs and traditions of the Victorian-era funeral and mourning experience at Cape's historic Glenn House. $5 donation recommended. 1-4pm.
Car Show, Cape Girardeau, MO - Cars and food! Judging begins at noon. Spectators get in free.
River Heritage Quilt Guild Quilt Show, Cape Girardeau, MO - Over 100 quilts on display, vendors, and food trucks. 9am-5pm. $5
Cape Riverfront Market, Cape Girardeau, MO - Shop locally grown, homemade, and handmade goods. 8am-12pm.
Contra Dance, Cape Girardeau, MO - Contra Dance to live music. No experience or partner necessary. Just like your prom night! BURN! Just kidding. No one reads these descriptions anyway. Free and open to the public. 4-6pm
Book Sale, Jackson, MO - Get pre-loved books at low prices. 9am-12pm. Proceeds benefit the Jackson Library.
Jackson Backyard BBQ, Jackson, MO - BBQ samples, a pulled pork meal, beer, and live music at the Jackson Bandshell. All for a good cause. Love it when I can have fun with the fam and the moolah goes to a good cause. 11am-9pm. $20. Family friendly.
Ste. Genevieve Milice Fall Encampment, Ste. Genevieve, MO - The Ste. Genevieve Militia and the Centre for French Colonial America will host a living history event with a colonial militia camp display, craft demonstrations, children's games, a marching how-to, cannon display, and discussions on life in Ste. Gen between 1750 and 1800. Free and family friendly. 9:30am-4pm
Park Beautification Day at Elephant Rocks State Park, Belleview, MO - We all love it. Let's clean it. Help clean up Elephant Rocks State Park. There will be reenactors and kids' activities. 9am-3pm. Free and open to the public.
Patriotic Pumpkin Fest, Caledonia, MO - A parade, food, live music, bull ride, pony rides, a petting zoo, over 100 handicraft vendors, wine tasting, and more. 10am-4pm. There will be a free shuttle to Rowe Crop Farm Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch. Free. We covered this historic little town in a previous issue. It's close to popular outdoor attractions like Elephant Rocks State Park and Hughes Mountain Natural Area.
Fall Fest, Dexter, MO - Over 240 vendors, crafts, food trucks, petting zoo, and pumpkin painting. Admission is free. 9am-3pm.
Saxon Lutheran Memorial Fall Festival, Frohna, MO - This tiny MO town was founded by a community of German Saxon Lutheran immigrants. They still throw a fall festival built around nineteenth-century tradition. Enjoy live entertainment like a German band and bluegrass music, a bread oven market, food, horse & buggy rides, a beer garden, vendors, and heritage demonstrations like apple butter cooking, bread baking, blacksmithing, cross-cut sawing, wood working, etc.
Madison Market, Fredericktown, MO - Shop local growers, makers, and bakers. 8am-12pm.
Little Grassy Get Down, Makanda, IL - A 3-day, family-friendly music festival featuring Americana music from artists across the Midwest. There will be guided bike rides, tattoos, yoga, jam classes, and contra dancing.
Runners of the Woods: 18th-Century Firearms in Action, Prairie du Rocher, IL - Learn about and fire a traditional muzzleloader. You gotta be ready for those pesky loyalist redcoats. 10am-4pm
Paducah Zombie Walk, Paducha, KY - Walk starts at 5pm! Put on some makeup and look for brains with the rest of the herd (tickets $10, $5 for kids), or just go watch! Costume contest at the end.
River City Ghost Tours, Paducah, KY - "Unmask the chilling tales that lie beneath the surface of this historic land."
Sun, Oct 11
Revivify: Farm to Table, Cape Girardeau, MO - Spanish Street closes for outdoor dining. Tables line up in front of the historic courthouse downtown. Eight local chefs prepare a four-course meal with ingredients largely supplied by farmers' market vendors. There's music, a wine pull, and a silent auction. These are the flavors of Southeast Missouri's finest local producers.
Haunted History of Cape Girardeau - This walking tour takes you through the fascinating, sometimes troubling, and often spooky past of Cape's downtown. Led by local historian Christy Mershon and put on by the University's Continuing Education program.
Dresses to Die For, Cape Girardeau, MO - Learn the customs and traditions of the Victorian-era funeral and mourning experience at Cape's historic Glenn House. $5 donation recommended. 1-4pm.
River Heritage Quilt Guild Quilt Show, Cape Girardeau, MO - Over 100 quilts on display, vendors, and food trucks. 10am-4pm. $5
Reynolds House Tea Talks, Cape Girardeau, MO - Artist Craig Thomas will be the guest speaker. Come hear about his work in fine arts, murals, and street painting that has taken him through Europe and North America. Free admission. Donations accepted to continue historic preservation of the Reynolds House. 2-3pm.
Babblin' Bout Broadway, Farmington, MO - "A fun, fast-paced cabaret celebrating the history and stories of Farmington, Missouri. Enjoy Broadway tunes, local history, and plenty of laughs as we take a musical journey through Farmington’s past!" 3pm. $15
Onondaga Cave Photo Tours, Leasburg, MO - The cave's new lighting system makes it even better for photography. Take this slowed-down version of the tour to get better photos. Tickets must be purchased in advance. $23. Last photo tour of the season.
Little Grassy Get Down, Makanda, IL - A 3-day, family-friendly music festival featuring Americana music from artists across the Midwest. There will be guided bike rides, tattoos, yoga, jam classes, and contra dancing.
Guided Hike with Hiking with Shawn, Elizabethtown, IL - Hiking with Shawn is hosting a free informational guided hike along the Rim Rock National Recreation Trail. 2 to 3-mile hike open to all ages and abilities. Go meet the famous Shawn Gossman!
Plan Ahead
The Fun You Can't Improvise
When the River Remembers, Jackson, MO - Hear stories of local haunted history about the river, early trails, and Bloomfield Road. For ages 13+. Oct 13. 6pm.
Haunted Southeast Missouri, Cape Girardeau, MO - Part of the "Weird Wednesday's After Dark" series hosted by SEMO Continuing Education. $25. 6:30-8pm. Hear about, "The regions best-known hauntings, lesser-known tales, and the history behind the legends." Wednesday, Oct 14.
Ladies Night Out - Halloween Monster Cake, Perryville, MO - I have no idea what a monster cake is. But you can make one at the Perry Park Center. Oct 22
Birding by Season: Fall, Cape Girardeau, MO - Migratory birds are making their yearly appearances. Shuttle with the MDC from the Cape Nature Center to Trail of Tears State Park to see what you can see. No prior knowledge or experience necessary. Moderate hiking conditions. Must register. Registration opens tomorrow, Oct 9. Event takes place Oct 23, 4-6:30pm.
Full Moon Kayaking & Canoeing - Hunter's Moon, Ullin, IL - Paddle through an ancient cypress-tupelo swamp by moonlight. One of Southern Illinois' most unique guided tours. Last moonlight tour of the season. $65. Oct 24
First Ascent Day: Discover Climbing with the EMCA, French Village, MO - "This is designed for total beginners, families, local businesses, and anyone curious about climbing. Free. Experienced climbers can help you take your first steps on real rock. No experience necessary. All ages welcome. Oct 24. 11am"
Deja Vu Spirit Reunion, Ste. Genevieve, MO - "Explore Missouri's oldest cemetery (European descent) and experience the stories of early pioneers of Ste. Genevieve by lantern light." Less spooky. More educational. $5-10. Oct 24. 4:30-7pm.
Pucker up for Persimmons, Cape Girardeau, MO - Learn how to identify persimmon trees and harvest the fruit. Finish off with a taste test! Registration opens Oct 13. Event takes place Oct 27, 6-7:30pm.
Don't Whistle after Dark!: Dark and Supernatural Tales from Native America, Cape Girardeau, MO - Explore traditional Native American stories of spirits, mysterious beings, supernatural events, and creatures that have long been part of Indigenous storytelling traditions. October 29. 6pm.
Paint it Black, Cape Girardeau, MO - Part of the "Pour Decisions" series put on by SEMO's Continuing Education. Choose a spooky scene to paint by numbers. No experience required. Includes all supplies, a glass of wine or mocktail, and light appetizers. $49. 6-8:30pm. Thursday, Oct 29.
Witches' Night Out in Uptown Jackson, MO - Dress in your best witchy getup and enjoy an evening of shopping, treats, and exclusive deals. October 29. 5-8pm.
Run South Cape 5K Run & Walk, Cape Girardeau, MO - Slap on your costume and get active for a good cause. Oct 31.
For each event, you’ll find more info at the link.
*Because these events are upcoming, they have not been vetted. That would require a time machine, and we don't have the funds. Party at your own discretion.
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Welp, (*slaps knees), we better get goin'. A big thank you to our sponsor, VisitCape, and partner, KRCU Public Radio. You are the wind beneath my wings and the precious gas in my tank.
Catch you down the road.
Caitlan Hester
Publisher, Backroad Weekly