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There was a post in the 573 Hiking & Foraging group about a black bear spotted off a county road south of Oak Ridge. I tried to David Attenborough (find & document) the situation. No luck...but I visited a pond to share!
Get Outside - Maintz Wildlife Preserve
This week's sweet little spot to exist for free under the open sky is Pond #5 at the Maintz Wildlife Preserve, west of Oak Ridge, Missouri.
Should you drive an hour (or more), bright-eyed, expecting wow factor?...Nah. Don't do that.
BUT if you're nearby and you'd like a new venue for fishing, reading a book in a lawn chair, or convening with turtles...here's a spot. Hey, you could paint that acrylic landscape piece you think about every time you scroll past an artist on Instagram.
Not to sound like an old coot pining for the Victorian era but when did we lose our lust for landscape painting?
Pond #5 at the Maintz Wildlife Preserve
It's pond #5 on the MDC map, parking lot #8. Here's the pin in Google Maps. There was a nice wide, mowed path when we were there. Wear bug spray anyway.
Sunblock & bug spray are the GTL of Backroad Weekly. The Millennial pop-culturalists will get the reference.
Didja know?
Did you know that cottonmouths can live as long as 21 years? That means, there might be a cottonmouth somewhere in Southeast Missouri that saw the 2nd Pirates of the Caribbean when the theater was Wehrenberg.
This Week at Mesta Meadows
One thing about a farm - the circle of life comes at you fast, and usually in multiples. We're happy to report that today's update is from the pleasant side of that circle: Selina, the Great Pyrenees, gave birth to TEN puppies. All future guardians of their own sheep farm galaxy. But for now, just fuzzy uncoordinated perfection.
You'd think it'd be hard getting any business done with 10 puppies raising adorable hell in Ed Crowley's office, but skyscraper-sized things are happening at the creamery, Atelait: Glenallen's sheep's milk ice cream is now being served in Chicago at Reprise Coffee Roasters and Live X in Fulton Market. From the Ozarks to the Chi-town. Represent,Mesta Meadows.
Swing by the farm store Saturday or Sunday and try some. Sponsored by Mesta Meadows.
An actual dogpile. Mesta Meadows, May 2026
Spotted on County Road 453, south of Oak Ridge, MO. (I was not joking about cruising around looking for that black bear), Sunday May 24: The Northern Bobwhite. Not quite a black bear.
Hear ye, hear ye
The Cape Catfish Are Back
Is there anything more Midwest summer than baseball on a muggy night under stadium lights? It's a nostalgic feeling that I would have no idea how to explain to a Norwegian. You hear that Norway? You may have affordable healthcare, but we have summer baseball. Jk, I want that too.
If you've never been, the Cape Catfish are a collegiate summer baseball team made up of players from around the country competing in the Prospect League. Translation: they're good!
The Catfish are putting Cape on the baseball map. Capaha Field is home to the 2021 and 2025 Prospect League champions, and games regularly pull some of the best summer crowds in the region.
Last minute ticket reminders, brought to you by VisitCape
Tonight - Broadway Blues
An award-winning, internationally acclaimed blues artist playing in an intimate, underground venue? Sounds like Memphis... but NOPE that's our Cape. 💁🏻♀️
The All-Nashville Roadshow is putting on their cowboy boots in Cape Girardeau on Friday, June 5 for a one-night-only country & Americana outdoor concert at the A.C. Brase Arena Grandstand Lawn.
There will be BBQ, cold drinks, the comfort of that fancy camping chair you bought for these occasions, and an open sky.
Buffet & SINGO!, Charleston, MO - Does everyone know what SINGO is by now or should I keep explaining it? Vybe Coffeehouse & Cafe is hosting. Buffet included and prizes up for grabs. Seats are limited.
Scott City Summerfest, Scott City, MO - Fish fry plates, kiddie carnival rides, cornhole, and live music in Scott City. Cornhole registration starts 6pm, tournament at 7pm. Carnival runs 5pm-10pm. For the small-town festival lovers.
Cans & Camshafts Car Show, Farmington, MO - Classic cars, trucks, Jeeps, motorcycles, and community-voted awards. The fundraiser benefits the therapeutic horse-riding center. Bring a canned food donation for admission. Concessions will run throughout the night. 5pm-dark. Awards at 7:30pm.
Folky Fish Fest, St. James, MO - I don't usually share events happening this far north, but this came SO highly recommended. It's a weekend of folk music, art, workshops, trout fishing, hiking, and river hangs at Maramec Spring Park. Live folk and new-grass music play at 3 stages in a pretty spring-fed setting. Ticket required.
Tunes at Twilight, Cape Girardeau, MO - Live music at Ivers Square. Fun, free, outdoors. It's got it all. This is BYOS, bring your own seat. See event details for rain plan. 7pm. Free.
Coffee on the Cache, Cypress, IL - Free coffee and conversation at the Cache River Wetlands Center. A monthly meetup for folks who enjoy the outdoors. 9am-10am. Free.
Blue Moon Paddle, Ullin, IL - A guided sunset-and-moonlight paddle through the ancient cypress swamp of the Cache River Wetlands during a rare blue moon. Beginner friendly, gear provided, and one of the coolest outdoor experiences within day-trip distance of Southeast Missouri. 6:30pm.
Cajun Festival, Whittington, IL - Pheasant Hollow Winery is bringing a little Louisiana to Southern Illinois with live Cajun and zydeco music, crawfish, food vendors, drinks, and dancing. Bring a chair and prepare for the possibility of an accordion. 6pm-10pm. $15 cover for ages 21+.
Sat, May 30
U.S. 250 Celebration, Ste. Geneviève, MO - Military encampments, musket demonstrations, colonial-era games, historical reenactors, and frontier history take over Missouri’s oldest town during the commemoration of the Battle of Fort San Carlos. Saturday also includes a free outdoor Colonial Ball with live music and dancing. 10am-4pm. Free.
Folky Fish Fest, St. James, MO - This is not usually a location I cover, but when someone you trust makes a glowing recommendation, you go with it. It's day two of Folky Fish Fest. Music at Maramec Spring Park with live performances, artisan vendors, workshops, food, dancing, and outdoor whimsy between sets. Ticket required.
Farmington Water Park Opening Day, Farmington, MO - The Farmington Water Park officially opens for the summer. I bet there will be children losing their minds and having the time of their lives. Daily hours run 11am-6pm through the season, weather permitting.
Nature Walk with a Naturalist, Park Hills, MO - Join a park naturalist for an afternoon walk along the Lakeview Trail at St. Joe State Park. Naturalists are good at pointing out the cool stuff you would've walked right past. Have you thanked a naturalist this week? 1pm-2pm. Meet at Monsanto Lake.
Heartland Gaming Con, Cape Girardeau, MO - Southeast Missouri's biggest gaming weekend takes over the A.C. Brase Arena with tabletop games, RPGs, tournaments, vendors, video games, and a free-to-play library packed with hundreds of games. I love seeing stuff like this in our region...passionate people creating events where other passionate people can let their niche flag fly together.
Spring into Health: Outdoor Nature Zumba, Cape Girardeau, MO - The Cape Nature Center is turning into a dance floor with a family-friendly outdoor Zumba class led by Zumba Ellen. I like to imagine the squirrels get in on it, which might mean I've seen to many Disney/Pixar movies. Designed for all ages and fitness levels. Free. 10-11am.
All-Request Piano Show with Joy Brooker, Cape Girardeau, MO - Requests, singalongs, piano, and a crowd that gets louder as the night goes on. 8:30pm-10:30pm. 21+. No cover.
Mixology Class, Cape Girardeau, MO - Learn the art of cocktails at a hands-on mixology class covering shaking, stirring, pouring, and all the little tricks. This way, if James Bond attends your dinner party, you'll be ready. 21+. Ticket required. 1-2:30pm
Backyard BBQ Kickoff, Cape Girardeau, MO - The Cape Library is celebrating summer reading season with games, live entertainment, food, contests, giveaways, and activities on the back lawn. Burgers, hot dogs, music, stilt walkers, mural painting, and more. 12pm-3pm. Free.
Cookbook Club, Jackson, MO - Riverside Regional Library has launched a cookbook club for folks who like trying new recipes and talking food with other in-person humans. Participants make a dish from the featured cookbook, bring it to share, and spend the morning sampling recipes together. Registration required. 10am-12pm. Ages 18+. How adorable is this?!?!
Scott City Summerfest,Scott City, MO - Summerfest wraps up Saturday with kiddie carnival rides, cornhole, a fish fry, live music, and a fireworks show to end the night. Fireworks start 9:30pm. Carnival runs 5pm-10pm.
Red Cedar Trail Races - 5K, Half Marathon & 40K, Makanda, IL - A trail race through Giant City State Park with multiple distances on rugged, single-track terrain with hills, creek crossings, and forest views.
Cajun Festival, Whittington, IL - Day two of the Cajun Festival keeps the music, food, and bayou replicating rolling at Pheasant Hollow Winery. Live bands, Cajun eats, vendors, and outdoor sittin'. 2pm-9:30pm. $15 cover for ages 21+.
Sun, May 31
U.S. 250 Celebration, Ste. Geneviève, MO - Day two brings you more of Missouri's past with reenactments, musket demonstrations, colonial vendors, historical interpreters, and family-friendly activities in historic Ste. Geneviève. 10am-3pm. Free.
Heartland Gaming Con, Cape Girardeau, MO - Day two keeps the dice rolling with board games, Magic tournaments, cosplay, Super Smash Bros competitions, role-playing adventures, and more vendors. Whether you're deep into gaming culture or just gaming-curious, this is one of those niche events that makes Southeast Missouri more interesting.
Go-Kart Races at Benton Speedway, Benton, MO - Winged karts, flat karts, outlaw karts, mower races, and a whole lotta tiny vehicles moving about as fast as they can go.
Plan Ahead - The Fun You Gotta Register to Have
Archery for Everyone, Cape Girardeau, MO - Whether you're brand new or already have experience, the Cape Nature Center is hosting a beginner-friendly chance to test your skills and learn proper archery technique with help from staff. Tuesday, June 9. 10am-12pm. Free.
Historic Fishing, Cape Girardeau, MO - Learn how people caught fish before bass boats and fish finders. The Cape Nature Center will cover traditional methods like cane poles, hand lining, and fish trapping with hands-on opportunities to try them yourself. Ages 10+. Wednesday, June 10. 5:30pm-7pm. Free. Registration opens TOMORROW, Friday, May 22.
Squirrel Hunting 101, Cape Girardeau, MO - Curious about squirrel hunting but have absolutely no clue where to begin? The Cape Nature Center is hosting a beginner-friendly intro covering the basics of small game hunting, tips for getting started, and what makes squirrel hunting surprisingly fun and challenging. Thursday, June 11. 5:30pm-7pm. Ages 8+. Registration opens TOMORROW, May 28. Also...look at the last three events. why do I feel like the MDC is preparing us for the apocalypse? What do they know that we don't know?
Birds & Brew, Puxico, MO - Coffee and birding are teaming up at Mingo. Take a relaxed 1-mile walk along the Swampwalk boardwalk to look for summer birds. Bring binoculars or borrow a pair. Saturday, June 13. 7am-10am. Free, but registration required.
Tour de Corn, East Prairie, MO - One of the flattest and friendliest rides around returns with 15-, 30-, 63-, and 100-mile routes through the Bootheel. The hometown support and rest stops are legendary. It is corny AF in all the best ways. PAVED. June 27. Ride starts 7:30am. I can personally vouch for what a fun experience this is and will be there again this year.
Klaus Park Klash Mountain Bike Race, Jackson, MO - From youth to adults, nearly 100 riders from 4-5 states gather to take on laps around a 5-mile course at Klaus Park in Jackson for awards and cash prizes. This is a major fundraiser for our youth mountain bike team, so if you want to see locals ride MTB in the Olympics someday, spread the frickin' word, sign up, and ride (or just donate). June 28.
Strawberry Moon Paddle, Ullin, IL - Cache Bayou Outfitters is hosting another guided full moon paddle through the cypress swamp of the Cache River Wetlands - this time under June's Strawberry Moon. Expect a peaceful evening of paddling beneath giant trees while summer settles into the swamp around you. Saturday, June 28. Beginner friendly with kayaks, canoes, paddles, life jackets, and instruction provided. $65 adults, $25 kids.
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.