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Your day trips are powerful, friends. When you hit the road, everyone wins. You get a fun day out and cute pics. And the small business owners you support get to pay their bills and create jobs in their communities.
Did you know your day trips basically double as philanthropy???
Did you know economic development could be so sexy???
Day Tripping - Lesterville + Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park
Just six weeks ago, in an unprecedented rainfall event, the Black River rose 28.7 feet flooding Lesterville, Missouri.
The floodwaters have since receded and the resilient small business owners of L-ville are ready for the summer rush to rush back to town.
Rally the troops, weekend warriors. Let's show Lesterville some love and head that way. And not just because they'll appreciate the support, but also because it's a pretty good freakin' day trip.
Here's what we did:
Breakfast or lunch at Three Forks Diner - This spot fits the typical, loveable mom-and-pop diner mold that ties a road trip together. With all the Steak N' Shakes dying off, I'll need to make a list of places you can get a Frisco Melt and add the Three Forks Diner.
Coffee, ice cream, and refreshments at Dindi's Sweet Station- A river town just isn't a river town without ice cream. Van Buren has Jolly Cone. Eminence has Dairy Shack. And Lesterville has Dindi's. I won't soon forget that the best caramel milkshake I've ever had was at a repurposed gas station built in 1940. Shop the shop and soak in the rustic folk art ambiance.
All the outdoor play at Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park - This state park deserves its own issue of Backroad Weekly. There's camping, hiking, a visitor center, a camp store, a river store, birding, backpacking/backcountry camping, rock climbing, rappelling, and splish-splashing. The first river access point is chill enough for small children. But there are also more adventurous splish-splash opportunities among massive shut-ins' boulders, where you can play a Waterworld version of chutes and ladders, slipping down stone water slides into pools of clear water.
Grab dinner and a beer at Oak Barrel Restaurant - It's the perfect hang out to recover from multiple hours of sun-drenched rock scrambling.
Like many of Missouri's river towns, Lesterville relies on summer tourism. I know there's no good time for a catastrophic flood, but dang if this one didn't shut the town down at the height of its busy season.
So, let's go. Can you think of a more fun way to do some good?
Johnson's Shut-ins State Park, August 2026
On that note...Don't you think we should do better about hyping up our river towns in the off seasons? I'm already daydreaming about an autumn hike at Johnson's Shut-Ins. I'm imagining the rocky Black River with fall foliage and a cozy little coffee date at Dindi's.
SIGHTING: I see these giants in a Scott County marsh during my morning commute: the great egret. They were once nearly hunted to extinction when fashion-forward folks decorated their hats with egret feathers. Now, the great egret is a conservation success story.
GIVING AWAY MY SOURCES: One of the websites I love browsing for things to do is Missouri State Parks. I hover over "Things to do" and click on "See all events", where I browse to see if anything is coming up in the parks near me.
*EXTRA* - PHOTO COMPETITION: The deadline for Terrain Magazine's amateur photo contest is approaching fast - September 01. Get on it. Represent the Southeast MO.
Made Around Here - Fishbowl Roulette
If you love fascinating people AND podcasts, you gotta check out Fishbowl Roulette. It's an unpredictable Se/MO-based podcast in which every episode makes you...something: contemplate the cosmos, remember you have feelings, laugh, get all inspired, etc.
The premise is wild. The lovely host, Sandra Koenig, takes what she knows about her guests and prepares a ton of hard-hitting questions. She then throws those questions into fish bowls to let the fates decide.
The guests pull their questions at random and must answer them on the spot. It's unscripted. There's no way to prepare. No one knows where the conversation is going to go.
It might as well by called Russian Roulette instead of Fishbowl Roulette.
My biggest takeaway: we're surrounded by fascinating people doing some pretty incredible stuff.
Got something you're trying to promote? The host, Sandra, is crazy accessible. Reach out and ask to be put on her waiting list if you'd like to make an appearance. Here's Sandra's Facebook and Fishbowl's Facebook.
Polish your monocle. There's world-class art 'round these parts.*
With the word "campus" in the name, it's easy to forget that SEMO's River Campus doubles as Cape Girardeau's all-access pass to live theatre, music, dance, and art. (Yes, your non-student butt can go in there, too).
With professional-quality stages, beautiful galleries, an impressive museum, and more than 100 events annually, it’s one of the coolest cultural assets in Southeast Missouri...(pause for effect)...in a historic building...(pause again)...right on the river.
Follow the River Campus on Facebook and keep an eye on their event listings.
Want to share an upcoming event with 2,200+ 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, Aug 21
Main Street Smok'In on the Rails, Chaffee, MO - A brand new event in the Smokin Brothers hometown, "bringing championship BBQ teams and serious competition to the heart of Chaffee." Day 1 of 2, 5-10pm. Admission free to the public.
Trike Fest 2026, Scott City, MO - Lawless Harley Davidson will have live music, a food truck, tattoos, and cigars. Heck yes, brother. All bikes welcome! 4-8pm. Day 1 of 2.
Tunes at Twilight, Cape Girardeau, MO - A free concert at Ivers Square.
Friends of the Library Fall Book Sale, Cape Girardeau, MO - $1 for paperbacks and $2 for hardcovers. 6-8pm. All the best stuff gets grabbed on Friday. This book free-for-all fills up fast! Very popular and growing local tradition that book lovers look forward to. Day 1 of 3.
Book Bingo, Jackson, MO - Book-themed bingo! All ages. 3-4pm
Centralia Balloon Fest, Centralia, IL - Day 1 of 3 "Hot air balloons, food vendors, craft vendors, live entertainment, and more!" Free admission. 3-10pm
Sat, Aug 22
Main Street Smok'In on the Rails, Chaffee, MO - Enjoy live cooking demos, a beer garden, Smokin Brothers factory tours, a food court, and live music. Day 2 of 2, 11am-10pm. Admission free to the public. We're really excited to see a professional grade cookoff event come to Chaffee!
Arts, Crafts, and Music Festival, Jackson, MO - 50+ vendors, food trucks, and live music at the Jackson Civic Center. 9am-3pm. Free admission.
Dueling Pianos with Joy Brooker & Josh Abrams, Cape Girardeau, MO - "This is the only Dueling Piano show in Cape Girardeau and surrounding areas. Two incredibly talented pianists under one roof...this is a show you don't want to miss. $10 cover at the door, 21+" If you've never been to a dueling piano show, you need to have this experience at least once.
SEMO Redhawks Fest, Cape Girardeau, MO - The Cape Riverfront Market is going red and black to show its Redhawks pride.
Friends of the Library Fall Book Sale, Cape Girardeau, MO - $1 for paperbacks and $2 for hardcovers. 8am-5pm. You don't need to have a library card to take advantage of this amazing book sale! Day 2 of 3.
Trike Fest 2026, Scott City, MO - Join the morning benefit ride to support the Children's Miracle Network. Registration 9am at Lawless Harley Davidson, ride starts at 9:30am. Lunch included for all registered riders. Enjoy live music at the after party. Day 2 of 2.
Ying Yang Twins at the Camp, Wappapello, MO - Wait, what? The guys who told us to "Shake it like a saltshaker" in 2003?
Downtown Farmers' Market, Sikeston, MO - "Every Saturday until October 24 from 7:30am to sellout (usually around 11am or earlier)."
Cathedral Cave Off-trail Tour, Leasburg, MO - Go beyond the traditional cave tour. Go no-rails and no-trails on a wild caving excursion hosted by Missouri State Parks. Led by an experienced guide. You'll climb, crawl, and get muddy. $75. Must register. 10am.
Centralia Balloon Fest, Centralia, IL - Day 2 of 3. Check out the evening balloon flight, tethered balloon rides, and the balloon glow. 3-10pm
Sun, Aug 23
Centralia Balloon Fest, Centralia, IL - Day 3 is family fun day which will include a skateboarding competition, a car show, a magic show, and karaoke. The day will end with an evening balloon flight by local pilots. 12-6pm.
Friends of the Library Fall Book Sale, Cape Girardeau, MO - Day 3 of 3. Whatever is left over on Sunday will be half price! $0.50 paperbacks and $1 hardcovers. 1-5pm
Plan Ahead - The Fun You Can't Improvise
Trees: Aw Nuts! Cape Girardeau, MO - Walnuts, hickory, pecans...join Cape MDC for a foraging lesson, and then put what you've learned into practice. Tuesday, August 25. 5:30pm.
Brass Earrings Workshop, Cape Girardeau, MO - Design and make your own dangly brass earrings with 14K gold-filled wire! How to sign up: message or call Murmur Tapas Bar to secure your seat. cost is $35/person: bring cash or pay via Venmo. Tuesday, August 25.
Green-Corn Moon Paddle, Ullin, IL - Join kayak guides for a nocturnal excursion on the water. "Set out from the docks and paddle out to Button Land Swamp and enjoy the peace and sounds of Illinois' hidden bayou under moonlight." $65. Wednesday, August 26.
Mamma Mia! Sing-along Edition, Cape Girardeau, MO - Cape's Subterranean Film Society is at it again. Grab your buds, go watch a movie, and grab a drink.
Collage Night, Cape Girardeau, MO - Emily Denlinger, SEMO professor of art and design, helps you create an imaginative piece through collage. Beginners welcome. Supplies and refreshments provided. Open to the public. 6-9pm. Free. Thursday, August 27
Cathedral Cave Off-trail Tour, Leasburg, MO - Go beyond the traditional cave tour. Go no-rails and no-trails on a wild caving excursion hosted by Missouri State Parks. Led by an experienced guide. You'll climb, crawl, and get muddy. $75. Must register. 10am. Saturday, Sept 5
Rocky Ledges Fun Run, Makanda, IL - 5K/10K Trail run/walk open to all ages, abilities, and skills hosted by SIU's Touch of Nature Outdoor Education Center.
Harvest Moon Paddle, Ullin, IL - Paddle through an ancient cypress-tupelo swamp under the harvest moon. One of Southern Illinois' most unique guided tours, and it only comes around about once a month. Saturday, September 26.
City of Roses 5k & Half Marathon, Cape Girardeau, MO - "Run 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." Sunday, September 27.
Historic & Primitive Skills: Making a Longbow, Cape Girardeau, MO - Use hand tools to make your own hickory longbow. 15 years and older. Woodworking skills recommended. You'll need upper arm strength. Oct 1, 2, and 3.
Tour 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.
Devil's Toll Race, Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park - A 13-mile event "across one of the most scenic & rugged landscapes Missouri's Ozark Trail has to offer" with a hike option and a run option. Proceeds benefit the Ozark Trail Association. Saturday, October 3rd.
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.