Before we get into this week's wanderings, I wanted to acknowledge our neighbors in Iron, Reynolds, and the surrounding counties who were hit by last week's historic flooding. Many families are facing a long road ahead after what meteorologists are calling a 1-in-a-1000-year rainfall event. If you were affected, we're thinking about you. And if you'd like to help, here is a helpful list of official disaster relief resources put together by KFVS12.
Day Tripping - Jackson, MO
πΆ"We got married in a fever, hotter than a pepper sprout
Weβve been talkinβ βbout Jackson, ever since the fire went out...
I'm going to Jackson"πΆ
- "Jackson," made famous by Johnny Cash & June Carter
Okay, so maybe the Cash's weren't singing about Jackson, MISSOURI in their famous cover. But when you head that way, you can still sing it and imagine your hair in a puffed-up June Carter bouffant. (Intensely fighting the urge to photoshop myself with a bouffant. Ugh, deadlines! There are so many great ways to procrastinate.)
Regardless of your hairstyle, here are a few of our favorite Jackson, MO spots. And guess what...there are enough to make a whole day of it.
Our Itinerary
- βThe Ground-A-Bout - Get a Saturday started early and head to Uptown Jackson where there's a quaint coffee shop serving caffeine magic, house-made hand pies, and hang-out-and-read-a-book charm. *There are 3 locations, I'm suggesting the location that'll get you out of your car and bopping around Uptown Jackson.
- Cute shops! - With a locally roasted coffee in hand, walk around uptown and pop into a few of the boutiques. Our favorites were Juneberry Plant Shop (native plants, local art, rustic thrift finds), Foxy Lady Stuff ("hand-crafted jewelry and whimsical treasures"), and High Street Station (where it feels like some fairies and gnomes put together some "casual but elegant gifts for your home and garden").
- Grab a beer and a bite - You'll probably be ravenous from all that browsing. Walking around, touching things, and going "Ooo this is cute" really takes it out of you. Did you even know there's a microbrewery in Jackson? Check out Hubble Creek Brewing Company, also uptown walkable. But if the day is nice and you're craving a patio, get in the car and head to T-Ravs at the edge of town. One of the best patios around.
- Bonus! Add an Excursion - There's nothing wrong with a day of eating and shopping. But if you want to make it unique, read about our experience riding the train at Iron Mountain Railway. OR...drumroll...tour an alpaca ranch at Cape County Alpacas, just south of Jackson outside Gordonville. Both of these experiences are appointment only, so you'll have to plan (and book) ahead.
Scheduling tip: Check business hours before hitting the road. I'd hate for you to visit Jackson on a Sunday, find everything closed, and curse the newsletter that sent you. The above is a great day trip for a Saturday.
πΆ"Iβm going to Jackson, Iβm gonna mess around
Yeah, Iβm goinβ to Jackson
Look out Jackson town"πΆ
This Week at Mesta Meadows
The lambs have put on lab coats. (Must. fight. the. urge. to. open. photoshop.)
The Mesta Meadows' human crew has wrapped up the first phase of a field study looking at whether lespedeza (a forage plant also known as bush clover) can naturally reduce parasites in lambs. The lambs were split into two groups: one grazing on traditional pasture, and another grazing on lespedeza. The first round of samples has been collected.
Now comes the waiting game as the team tracks how the two groups compare over the next few weeks.
If you're ever curious about what goes into raising healthy livestock, guided ranch tours offer a behind-the-scenes look at life on the farm.
Sponsored by Mesta Meadowsβ
This week's sighting often tucks its neck like Danny Devito as the penguin, even though it can stretch it out like an elegant giraffe. Odd choice. It's the green heron. Spotted along the Current River, north of Van Buren.
Where does the neck go?!?!
Nature News
From Terrain Magazine - St. Louis: "Missouri's state parks aren't just great places to hike, camp, and explore. They're also a major economic engine.
A new University of Missouri study found that Missouri's 93 state parks and historic sites generate $1.5 billion in business sales, support nearly 12,000 jobs, and bring millions of dollars to local restaurants, shops, outfitters, and lodging providers every year." Read more here.β
Coming Soon to a Ballot Near You
Speaking of the economic benefits of Missouri state parks...
Did you know that Missouri is one of only eight states where admission to state parks is free?
On August 4, Missouri voters will decide whether to renew the one-tenth of one percent Parks, Soils and Water Sales Tax for another 10 years. The tax has funded Missouri state parks and local soil and water conservation projects since 1984 and must be periodically renewed by voters. If approved, it does not increase the tax. It simply continues the existing one.
We're so used to waltzing straight into Elephant Rocks, Lake Wappapello, Trail of Tears, and all other MO state parks without paying anybody, anything, that we hardly think of what a rare, beautiful thing that is.
A majority yes vote on amendment 1 on August 4 would continue the existing funding for Missouri's state parks, historic sites, and soil and water conservation programs.
Here are some resources to read more: Missouri Secretary of State, Missouri State Parks, and the Southeast Missourian.
Opportunity to Display Your Art
Ebb & Flow Fermentations is partnering with the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri to think outside the gallery walls...because there are so many other places we can display local art, like... for example, on beer cans.
βIt's the Community Beer Can Contest!β
Want to support the mission?
In case you forgot what "the mission" is, we're connecting Southeast Missourians with day-trip-able micro adventures, like getting outside, visiting our small towns, supporting local businesses, attending events, and reminding folks we live in a neat place.
Can you dig it?
If yes, think about working a t-shirt into your quarterly wardrobe budget. The ROI is looking cool.
It's an alligator snapping turtle. Check it out.β
The King Comes Back to Cape
Long before he became the King of Rock βnβ Roll, Elvis was just another young performer shaking his hips across small towns along the legendary Highway 61, the Blues Highway.
One of his stops was in Cape Girardeau, MO at the Arena Building.
And now, 71 years later (to the day), a live Elvis tribute band is returning to the Arena Building.
Food at 5pm. Show at 6pm. And it's free! Monday, July 20, 2026
*Sponsored by VisitCapeβ
Want to share an upcoming event with 2,000+ Southeast Missourians looking for things to do? Read more about how to add an event to Backroad Weekly's 'This Weekend's Happenings'.
This Weekendβs Happenings
Fri, July 17
βMoana at the Drive-in, Chaffee, MO - "See how far you'll go with Moana (Live Action) on the big screen. Gates open at 7:00, and the movie begins at 8:30. Tickets are available at rocknrolldrivein.com or at the gate."
βMusic in the Park, Sikeston, MO - It's Sikeston's downtown summer concert series. 6-8pm. Free.
βBook Bingo, Jackson, MO - Book-themed Bingo! Play for book prizes.
βNewsies the Broadway Musical, Park Hills, MO - Catch the show at Mineral Area College.
Sat, July 18
βAll-request Piano Show feat. Joy Brooker, Cape Girardeau, MO - It's like a live-action jukebox. You name it, Joy plays it. Different every time but always a unique experience.
βAnnual Duck Regatta, Cape Girardeau, MO - $5 per duck (which also serves as your entrance fee to the water park and supports the Special Olympics). "Cheer on your duck as it races around the Lazy River. Wear your swimsuit to enjoy the waterpark during the 2-hour event and hit the Lazy River between races." 6:30-8:30pm
βCape Riverfront Market, Cape Girardeau, MO - last weekend's vendor list gives you a good idea about what to expect.
βLive Music at the Warehouse Entertainment District, Perryville, MO - Music fans, if you haven't been to this venue yet, time for a road trip. Doors open at 6 and music starts at 6:30pm
βPerryville Comic Con, Perryville, MO - Cosplay contests, guest panels, and vendors galore. 10am-5pm.
βComedy Showcase, Fruitland, MO - Armstrong Outdoors is hosting a free comedy show at 7pm.
βBeginning Genealogy, Altenburg, MO - "Learn the basics of genealogy and researching your family"
βSikeston Downtown Farmers' Market, Sikeston, MO - There's gotta be someone out there who loves visiting all the different farmers' markets.
βNewsies the Broadway Musical, Park Hills, MO - Catch this show at Mineral Area College.
βStarry Night Sky at Onondaga Cave State Park, Leasburg, MO - "Join astronomy enthusiast Joe Parish in the visitor center parking lot to view the cosmos with a high-powered telescope. Free and open to the public. No need to register. A telescope will be provided, visitors are also welcome to bring their own."
βGuided Owl Prowl, Benton, IL - "Join Park Rangers for a guided "owl prowl" through the woods at 8:30 p.m. at the Rend Lake Visitor Center. Suitable for all ages"
βBike Ride!, Paducah, KY - A 7-mile easy group bike ride suitable for all paces and types of bikes.
Sun, July 19
βHeartland Writers' Guild Monthly Meeting, Cape Girardeau, MO - "Whether you write fiction, nonfiction, poetry, devotionals, journalism, or youβre still finding your voice, thereβs a seat for you at the table." 2-4pm.
βPerryville Comic Con, Perryville, MO - You never know what you might find. 11:30am-5pm.
βNewsies the Broadway Musical, Park Hills, MO - Catch this show at Mineral Area College.
βWild Ferns of Southern Illinois, Giant City State Park - Learn basic fern terminology and tips to identify them. Free and open to the public. Registration required. 2-3pm
Plan Ahead - The Fun You Can't Improvise
βBirds in Color: The Painted Bunting, Puxico, MO - Visit Mingo National Wildlife Refuge's Visitor's Center and learn all about this gorgeous Missouri bird, the painted bunting, and then learn to draw one with oil pastels. CUTE. Thursday, July 23
βWild Edibles: Ice Cream, Cape Girardeau, MO - "Discover how nature can add flavors and toppings to your favorite frozen treat. Attend a naturalist-led presentation and learn about safe and common wild edibles that can enhance your ice cream. Then, try a delicious sample."
βShawnee Hills Trail Races, Ozark, IL - One of the Midwest's premier trail running events returns to Camp Ondessonk with distances ranging from a half marathon to 100 miles, passing some of Southern Illinois' best scenery. August 22-23. Registration closes August 15.
βCity of Roses 5k & Half Marathon, Cape Girardeau, MO - "This course takes you along a paved trail through residential Cape and out into the beautiful county. Wind around paved roads, past farms, tree-filled woods, and beautiful homes. Loop back to the Osage Center to a cheering crowd, food, water, Gatorade, and locally brewed beer." Sunday, September 27.
βTour de Cape, Cape Girardeau, MO - A charity ride that takes off from downtown Cape Girardeau, MO with 15, 30, and 60-mile routes. Saturday, October 3rd.
For each event, youβll find more info at the link.β
β*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.
WORD SCRAMBLE ANSWER: FLOATING
Misery loves company, so find us on social media
βFacebook β’ Instagram β’ TikTokβ
Welp, (*slaps knees), we better get goin'. A big thank you to our sponsors.
Catch you down the road.
Caitlan Hester
Publisher, Backroad Weekly