Southeast Missouri is a little quiet on the event front this weekend...unless you like arts & crafts. If you like crafts, it's handmade Christmas balls to the wall.
The Whispering Pine Trail at Hawn State Park
We've taken it kind of easy the last few issues with short walks, museums, and auto tours. There's nothing wrong with a little drive-thru fun once in a while, but sometimes the feet want mileage and the back wants packing.
Hawn State Park's Whispering Pine Trail offers a whole workday on the trails (~6.5 - 9.5 miles) AND backcountry camping. Backpackers, can I get a hey-oh?!
"It is generally considered to be one of the best hiking and backpacking trails in the state." - MO State Parks
And it's in OUR region!
Hiking It
The Whispering Pine Trail forms a wiggly figure-8. The North Loop is around 6.5 miles (we only did this one), but you can add the 3-mile South Loop for a total of around 9.5 miles. Bathe in a mix of pine forest, hardwoods, sandstone bluffs, clear creeks, scenic overlooks, and rugged terrain.
Important: Trail markers run counterclockwise. Take a picture of the map at the trailhead and tattoo your blaze color(s) onto your brain. Multiple trails connect, but it's easy to stay on track if you don't forget your blaze color(s).
Backpacking It
I'M SO EXCITED TO TALK ABOUT THIS
Here’s what makes backpacking on the Whispering Pine Trail rad:
- It's a primitive overnight close to home.
- It's beginner-friendly backpacking. Perfect practice ground for testing gear.
- Far enough from the trailhead to be an adventure, but you're not 20 miles from your car if you forget your thermal underwear and need to tuck tail and run.
- Designated backpacking sites make it safe, simple, and legit. Hello, fire ring.
- It's purdy.
If you love backpacking or have been thinking of starting, reserve one of the sites on the Whispering Pine Trail. And get on it. These sites are popular and fill up fast.
Softcore Ways to Enjoy Hawn State Park
You don't have to go full-on Bear Grylls to enjoy Hawn State Park. There are shorter trails (1.4 to 3.8 miles) and good old-fashioned campground camping. The campground showers are closed for the season, but you can still find potable water in non-freeze spigots.
Try This
Since the campground showers were already closed last Sunday, I smelled like woodsmoke and looked like Old Gregg...Therefore, I didn't scout either of the places I wanted to scout near Hawn State Park for this week's issue.
But I'm going to suggest them here anyway, albeit unvetted. Maybe you've been, and you can hit reply and tell me how awesome they are:
Weingarten Vineyard - The newest winery & vineyard in Ste. Gen. Located just 10 minutes from Hawn State Park.
Charleville Brewery & Winery - A little further from the park, but worth the drive to keep the fall views going.
Both places will have live music this Saturday!
Here's what I want for you: Hit one of the park's shorter trails on the 22nd, and then stop for live music, a bite, and a drink. After that, you go home and take a nap. Can you think of a better Saturday? You'll be all ready for another week of clickety-clacking your keyboard.
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.
This week, for example, you can catch a modern spin on the great Shakespeare knee-slapper: Twelfth Night.
Follow the River Campus on Facebook and keep an eye on their event listings. They have multiple holiday-flavored events coming up to celebrate the Christmas season in style. It's perfect for a cozy night out when you want to leave the house but stay warm. No thermal underwear required.
You might get inspired to ask Santa for some of those tiny little opera binocular glasses.
*Sponsored by VisitCape
What do you get the Southeast Missouri explorers in your life?
From now through Christmas, we'll be listing ideas:
- The Missouri Department of Conservation has a Cooking Wild in Missouri cookbook for the hunters, fishers, and foragers in your life, putting their harvest on a plate. Order online or stop in at your nearest Nature Center.
- Know some cool cat with an RV, or a glutton for punishment who sleeps in a tent for fun? What about a Missouri State Parks gift card?
- Do you love a paddler? You might be entitled to compensation. Just kidding. James at Midwest Kayak Co. will help you shop for your floater friends. Everyone needs a nifty dry bag for their summer creek trips.
- For the friend who has everything, might I suggest a one-of-a-kind piece of local art from an art gallery like Authentic Arts Gallery in Dexter, MO?
- And of course, if you take my unvetted (genius) advice about what to do this Saturday and you wind up at Weingarten Vineyard or Charleville Brewery & Winery, get a bottle of liquid local good stuff and slap a bow on it.
What do I want for Christmas??? Oh, that is so sweet of you to ask! I'm a size "refer Backroad Weekly to friends".
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.
This Weekend’s Happenings
Fri, Nov 21
Underground Jazz: Bossa Nova, Cape Girardeau, MO - Warm, velvety bossa nova, perfect for pretending you’re somewhere tropical even if it’s 50 degrees and raining on Broadway. Big-city jazz energy at an intimate venue. Doors 7pm, show 7:30pm. $15 general admission, $72 table for four.
Twelfth Night, Cape Girardeau, MO - Shakespearean mischief on the Mississippian River! Just as Bill intended.
Sat, Nov 22
Arts & Crafts Extravaganza, Cape Girardeau, MO - 300+ vendors across the Show Me Center & Osage Centre. Handmade gifts, festive décor, food vendors, and loads o' Christmas spirit. $5 per venue. Kids 12 and under free. 10-5pm.
River Valley Craft Fair, Cape Girardeau, MO - Shop 200+ vendors, snag unique gifts, play reindeer games, and brace yourself for the SEMO Pets adoption area (where there will be love at first nose boop). 9am-5pm. $5. Arena Building.
Kelli Baker at The Glenn House, Cape Girardeau, MO - It's a bluesy, wonderland-themed night with Kelli Baker. "Her smoky, soulful voice is the perfect kickoff to the season as The Glenn House transforms into Alice in Winter Wonderland." Seating is limited. 7pm (doors 6:30) | $25 in advance or $30 at the door.
Twelfth Night, Cape Girardeau, MO - Catch a matinee today, or an evening performance. Same joy, same chaos, same disguises.
Battle of the Bands, Poplar Bluff, MO - Nine bands, one stage. The Historic Rodgers Theatre is hosting an evening of live music, high-energy competition, and community spirit. 5-11pm.
Christmas Market, Murphysboro, IL - With a bigger venue and even more local makers this year, browse handmade gifts, sip something warm, eat something with cinnamon, and feel like you just wandered onto the set of a low-budget (but amazing) Christmas movie. Entry $3. 9am-4pm.
Author Talk: Jim Schroeder, Murphysboro, IL - Author Jim Schroeder is stopping by Sallie Logan Public Library to talk about his new book On the Trail with My Kids: From the Ohio River to the Mighty Mississippi. A blend of travelogue, history, humor, and backpacking wisdom. 10:30am
Live Music Speakeasy Night, Alto Pass, IL - Havisham Bourbon, Brew & Spirits is turning its speakeasy into a jazz-and-blues hideaway. Cocktail hour 6-7pm, show at 7pm. $35 general, $50 VIP.
Sun, Nov 23
Board & Brush Workshop, Jackson, MO - Grab a brew and get crafty at this Board & Brush workshop hosted at Hubble Creek Brewing Co. Create something gift-worthy (or keep it for yourself. No judgment). Pre-registration required. 2pm.
Arts & Crafts Extravaganza, Cape Girardeau, MO - Round two! If you missed it yesterday (or must return for the craft that got away), the holiday craft fair continues. $5 per venue. Kids 12 and under free. 10-4pm.
River Valley Craft Fair, Cape Girardeau, MO - Round two x2! If you missed yesterday (or want to come back with a friend with a bigger wallet) today’s your last chance to browse, grab a photo with the man in red, and leave with a handcrafted ornament and a rescue pet. 10am-4pm. $3. Arena Building.
Twelfth Night, Cape Girardeau, MO - Final show! Catch Shakespeare’s comedy before the lights go down. No monocle? Duct table a magnifying glass to a buck knife. Boom, class.
Guided Birding Hike, Makanda, IL - A free, easy 1/3-mile walk on the Post Oak Trail. With the leaves down, you’ll have a great chance to spot woodpeckers, nuthatches, and other winter residents. Binoculars available to borrow. Call 618-457-4836 to reserve a spot. 9:30-11:30am. Giant City State Park.
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Plan Ahead
The Fun You Can't Improvise
Cooking in Nature: Flavorful and Festive Pines, Puxico, MO - On Dec. 3, Mingo National Wildlife Refuge is hosting a workshop where you’ll forage pine needles, bake pine needle cookies, and even brew a naturally fermented pine soda. Learn about Missouri’s shortleaf pine, ethical foraging, and how to turn wild ingredients into tasty treats. All materials provided. 10-11:30am.
Winter Wreath Making, Cape Girardeau, MO - On Dec 3, the Cape Nature Center is hosting a hands-on wreath workshop using Missouri evergreens, berries, grasses, and ribbon. Bring your own wreath form, and they’ll supply the rest. Only two spots left! This is pop.u.lar.
WORD SCRAMBLE ANSWER: FARMINGTON
Welp, (*slaps knees), we better get goin'.
A great big thanks to our sponsor, VisitCape, for supporting Se/Mo adventures.
Catch you down the road.
Caitlan Hester
Publisher, Backroad Weekly