It's almost time to weekend!

Another Awesome Outdoor Resource

We're like that magician that magicians hate because we tell others how tricks are done. ("Illusions, Michael")

I love pulling back the curtain and sharing the resources that help Backroad Weekly plan our day trips.

This week's insider tip and resource is the See the Ozarks website and social (Facebook & Instagram).

It's a tourism information site for outdoor enthusiasts (that's us!) by the Poplar Bluff Chamber of Commerce and the City of Poplar Bluff.

The site details hikes, rivers, lakes, campgrounds, gravel biking routes, parks, visitors' centers, museums, art, lodging, dining, and shopping...For the part of the Ozarks that is NEAR US. If you're based in Southeast Missouri, these are day-trip-doable adventures!

As you know, the O-Z is a big ol' whoppin' area spread across four states...but you don't have to go all the way to Branson to live the Ozark wonder. SE Missourians, hear my plea, you can pop over to Rocky Falls and be back in your own bed that night.

So, surf the site: See the Ozarks, and start planning some day trips around your local outdoor playground. Or you can patiently wait on me to work my way through these places one by one and suggest them in the newsletter. 🤷‍♀️

The Rend Lake Bike Trail, Southern Illinois

Every 4-6 weeks Southern Illinois whispers sweet nothings in our ears and calls us over the Bill E Bridge.

What was the seduction straw that broke the camel's back this time? Facebook. I kept seeing folks post a PAVED bike trail along a lake shore. It looked pretty, flat, wide, shady, and easy... all the luxuries that get me back on a bicycle while my summer bod thaws. (Between us, it never truly thaws by the time winter is back). The appealing trail I kept seeing on my feed was the Rend Lake Bike Trail.

Here's what we did (and therefore, can confidently suggest to you):

• Lunch. We drove the 1.5 hours northeast from Cape Girardeau to Sesser, IL and ate lunch at The Mill Bar & Grill, which is a bar and grill... in a mill. I'd read somewhere that professional cyclists fuel with Cajun fried catfish sandwiches and cheese fries before the Tour de France, so that's what we did. In all seriousness, this was a cute (and tasty!) spot. It seemed to be a local favorite.
• Then we set Google Maps to the North Sandusky Campground in Sesser, IL, which took us pretty near one of the Rend Lake Bike Trail trailheads.
• We rode for around 8 miles, making pit stops to hang out on the lake, take pictures, politely ask a deer to move off the trail, mourn the death of Will Smith's career, and peep turtles at the spillway with my binoculars meant for birds. We then turned around and rode the 8 miles back to our car.
• Expert athlete tip: Head back into Sesser and celebrate your turtle sightings with frozen custard at The Custard Stand.

Bike Trail Intel

• The Rend Lake Bike Trail is made up of 3 disconnected sections of varying length. The section we rode, the southern section, is the longest (a 10.9-mile stretch). There's a good description of each section here.​
• There are many public access points to hop on this bike trail. You don't have to start where we started.
• It's an out-and-back trail. Not a loop. Don't bike in what you can't bike out.
• It's e-bike friendly!
• It's doggy friendly!
• Also, a great trail to walk or run.
• There's a US Army Corps of Engineers Visitors' Center, but it's closed on the weekends 😢. If you're there on a weekday, stop by to pick up a bike trail map.
• There are many other ways to enjoy Rend Lake: camping, fishing, hunting, boating, kayaking, swimming, golfing, disc golfing, etc.

Happy So/ILL trails.

Between February and April of 1973, more than 500 UFO sightings were reported around Clearwater Lake, just outside Piedmont, drawing national media attention.

Even if you're not a believer, there is no denying that these many reports, whatever they were, is an interesting event in Southeast Missouri's history. Piedmont and Wayne County have since been dubbed the "UFO Capitals of Missouri". And a little green legacy lives on in Piedmont's annual UFO Fest, happening this weekend!

There will be presentations, vendors, costume contests (human and dog), live music, and a nighttime parade.

This week's "Featured Events" are brought to you by VisitCape, your friendly, neighborhood visitors' bureau

It's an extra extra-terrestrial weekend in Southeast Missouri.

Cape Girardeau's Scout Hall will have an outdoor biergarten setup for Area 573: Aliens & Ale. The event will host a live "dramatic retelling" of Cape’s 1941 UFO legend, beer flights from Craft Republic, free popcorn, appetizers, and a screening of Spaceballs. Costumes encouraged. 21+. Friday, April 24.

Come back to Earth at Uptown Jackson's Jackson in Bloom.

There will be plant sales, garden vendors, outdoor inspiration, food, family activities, live music, historic walking tours, and classic cars. 9am-2pm in Jackson, MO. along S. High St. Saturday, April 25.

This Weekend’s Happenings

Fri, April 24

​Rock n' Roll Drive-In Double Feature, Chaffee, MO - The drive-in is open again with a storm-chasing double feature under the stars: Twister & Twisters. Gates 6:30pm. Movie 8pm. $20 per carload.

​5th Annual Mega Sale & Flea Market, Sikeston, MO - An outdoor/indoor vendor market with vintage finds, handmade goods, and bargain hunting, all supporting the Phoenix Veteran’s Pantry. 9am-5pm. (I put these in here because my mom likes reading about flea markets. Hi, mom! ❤️)

​Southeast Symphony Orchestra 25th Anniversary Celebration, Cape Girardeau, MO - It's a milestone night at the River Campus featuring Beethoven’s Triple Concerto and Mahler’s Symphony No. 1 “Titan,” with guest performers and returning Conductor Laureate Sara Edgerton. 7:30pm. $26.

​Coffee on the Cache, Cypress, IL - A casual morning at the Wetlands Center to swap trail updates, wildlife sightings, and outdoor ideas with fellow nature folks over free coffee. 9-10am. Free.

Sat, April 25

​Wild Goose Chase Scavenger Hunt, Cape Girardeau, MO - Spend the day wandering downtown Cape, solving clues and noticing the details you usually walk right past. You might hear a few new stories and win a prize. Free. 10am-4:30pm.

​Spring Artisan Market, Cape Girardeau, MO - A pop-up market behind Annie Laurie’s with local makers, vintage finds, food, and a chance to meet adoptable pups. 10am-2pm. Free.

​Spring Local Author Fair, Cape Girardeau, MO - Meet local authors, hear about their writing process, and browse books. All ages, with panels, Q&A, and light refreshments. 1-3:30pm.

​Lure Painting Workshop, Cape Girardeau, MO - Learn how to hand-paint fishing lures using classic patterns at the Nature Center. 10am-12pm. Limited seating.

​Kayaking on the Kid’s Pond, Cape Girardeau, MO - I don’t usually post kid-specific events, but this is so cute. A low-key intro to kayaking where kids can paddle around the Nature Center pond after a quick safety lesson. Come and go. 2-4pm.

​SEMO MS Community Walk, Cape Girardeau, MO - A community walk around Capaha Park pond to raise awareness and funds for Multiple Sclerosis research. 9am at Capaha Park Shelter #1.

​Spring Tree Walk, Hayti, MO - A guided stroll through the park highlighting unique Bootheel tree species and the area’s natural history. 10am-12pm.

​Perry County Mule Show, Perryville, MO - A local tradition showcasing mules across a variety of classes, from skill demonstrations to crowd favorites. 1-6pm. Free.

​Community Garage Sale, Perryville, MO - An indoor, multi-vendor garage sale with clothes, household items, toys, furniture, and more inside the Perry Park Center. 7-11am. While you're in Perryville, go walk the Shoreline Trail at Perry County Community Lake!

​5th Annual Mega Sale & Flea Market, Sikeston, MO - Another day of digging through vintage finds, handmade goods, and vendor deals while supporting the Phoenix Veteran’s Pantry. 9am-5pm.

​Opening Day - Bollinger County Farmers' Market, Marble Hill, MO - Marble Hill's market season is starting! Get local produce, honey, eggs, and handmade goods at the Eagles Club parking lot. 8am.

​Light It Up Night Ride, Ironton, MO - Ride Shepherd Mountain Bike Park after dark with lit trails and a community night ride experience on the lower jump line. 7:45-9:45pm. $10 donation.

​Cookbook Club Kick Off, Jackson, MO - How neat is this? A monthly club is launching where you’ll cook from a featured cookbook, share dishes, and swap favorites with fellow food lovers. 10am.

​Thunder in the Valley Truck Show, Arcadia, MO - Big rigs, boom trucks, live music, food, and vendors at the famous Arcadia Academy. 12-8pm. Free.

​The Joy of Red and White Quilt Exhibit, Altenburg, MO - A rotating display of over 40 red and white quilts from a longtime collector with Perry County roots. Runs April 23-May 31. 10am-4pm.

​Pony & Play Day, Ullin, IL - A morning on the farm with pony rides and critters to pet. 10am-1pm. $5.

​Nightscape Astrophotography Workshop, Marion, IL - Learn the basics of photographing the night sky with a hands-on workshop at Crab Orchard, with a possible later session to capture the Milky Way.

​River to River Trail Society Group Hike - Lusk Creek Loop, Pope County, IL - A moderately difficult 8-mile group hike with stream crossings, natural features, and canyon views for experienced hikers. April 25. 10am. Free.

​Oak Street Art Fair, Murphysboro, IL - Head over to the Logan Historic Arts Neighborhood with 40+ artists, live music, food trucks, and hands-on art activities.

Sun, April 26

​Besties and Buttercream Cake Decorating Class, Dexter, MO - A cake-and-sip style class where you’ll decorate your own cake with supplies provided and a drink included. 2-4pm. $35.

​Iron Spokes Enduro, Ironton, MO - A multi-stage mountain bike race at Shepherd Mountain MTB Bike Park with timed downhill sections, uphill transfers, and courses ranging from beginner-friendly to expert-level terrain. The last day to register is tomorrow, Friday!

​Opera Scenes, Cape Girardeau, MO - A student performance featuring a mix of opera scenes and dramatic works. 3pm.

​Birding Brunch + Nature Walk, Cypress, IL - An optional awards brunch at the Wetlands Center followed by a guided walk through the Cache River wetlands with local birding experts. Brunch 9:30am-12pm. Walk 1pm. Free.

Plan Ahead - The Fun You Can't Improvise

​Intro to Wild Caving (Two-Part Program), Perryville, MO - A rare chance to learn the basics of caving and then explore a real cave with expert guides. These sessions only run a handful of times each year and spots are limited. Info session May 14. Cave exploration May 16.

I did this as a non-caver and it was one of the coolest things I’ve done around here. If you're curious and have questions, just reply to this email and I’ll tell you how my personal experience went.

​Archery for Beginners, Cape Girardeau, MO - A beginner-friendly intro to shooting a compound bow with a focus on safety, mechanics, and trying it out. April 28. 5-7pm.

​Yoga at the Nature Center, Cape Girardeau, MO - A beginner-friendly yoga session designed to slow down and reconnect with nature, held outdoors if weather allows. April 29. 6:30-7:30pm.

​Spring Wildflower Walk - Trail of Tears State Park, Cape Girardeau, MO - A guided evening hike to catch Missouri’s spring wildflowers at peak bloom, with a short trip out to Trail of Tears State Park. May 6. 5:30-8pm. Limited space. Must register.

For each event, you’ll find more info at the links.​
​*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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WORD SCRAMBLE ANSWER: WILDFLOWER

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Welp, (*slaps knees), we better get goin'. A big thank you to our sponsor for helping us make this newsletter possible. If you benefit from this newsletter in any way, let them know!

Catch you down the road.

Caitlan Hester
Publisher, Backroad Weekly