Day trips, events, trails, history, community, and more—Every Thursday.
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Now that October is over, we're back to your regular ol' newsletter. I love the pumpkin month, but I gotta admit I'm relieved I don't have to come up with any more Halloween puns until next year.
Ready to get out there?
Van Buren, MO. is famous for summer float trips down the Current River. But Vanny B deserves a second season...one that's a little less boozy and a lot less sunburnt: ✨🍁autumn🍁✨. The crowds are gone, the air’s crisp, and the hills show off their fall flair.
Four miles south of Van Buren, you'll find Big Spring, one of Missouri’s first state parks; it’s now part of the Ozark National Scenic Riverways (ONSR). What is the ONSR? Well, only the first national park area created to protect a wild river system. She said with a smug grin.
One of the three largest springs in the U.S., Big Spring produces an average of 289 MILLION GALLONS of water...every...day...Water travels through underground passages for as far as 45 miles to emerge on the surface here. And limestone from its underground voyage makes the water a cerulean shade of blue. Meanwhile, the influencers are all off mobbing Arizona's Havasu Falls, and we're just sitting over here in the Ozarks on our goldmine of unsung pretty.
With its mossy bluffs, rushing water, and misty air, Big Spring is beautiful any time of year, but I'd argue it's even better outlined in fall leaves.
Sorry you gotta look at these mugs. I failed to get horizontal pics that weren't selfies. Big Spring, Ozark National Scenic Riverways, Van Buren, MO., Oct 2025
Just pull up and snap pics. No hiking boots required (although there are hikes available). This is a wheelchair accessible day trip. Keep in mind that during the government shutdown, park buildings will be closed.
Activity Stacking
Remember two weeks ago when we featured the Elk Driving Tour at Peck Ranch Conservation Area? We finally made it over, and the hype checks out. We got lucky and saw wild elk! (and turkeys, skunks, armadillos, and deer), but even if you don't spot any critters, the driving tour is a beautiful fall drive.
We did both on the same day: Peck Ranch + Big Spring. It can be done. I recommend an early morning and Peck Ranch first. Agenda: Peck Ranch --> Lunch in Van Buren --> Big Spring.
Since this was taken in a public place, she did not have to sign a release form. Peck Rank Conservation Area Oct 2025
🎵Allons Enfants de la...Old Mines, Missouri?
Didja know?
Around 1723, settlers established the mining village of Old Mines, located in current-day Washington County, Southeast Missouri. Back then, Old Mines was part of Upper Louisiana—a French territory—and the settlers who came in to work the lead mines were from French-speaking Canada and Louisiana.
The unique French dialect that came from this Canada/Louisiana mix became known as Pawpaw French (named after a local fruit), and it was spoken in Old Mines for at least 200 years.
Why did this French dialect survive longer in Old Mines than the French in Bonne Terre or Ste. Genevieve? Geographic isolation. The hills and quiet roads that made it tedious to reach also kept English from rushing in.
As locals tell it, around the 1930s, schools began discouraging children from speaking French, so parents stopped teaching it at home. Today, only a handful of elders remember fragments of the language. Even though the vocab has hung on by its fingernails, no one speaks it fluently anymore.
"Now, go away, or I shall taunt you a second time." - Monty Python and the Holy Grail
Spaghetti Day: Because adulting is hard and carbs are comforting*
TODAY, Thursday, November 6, give yourself (and your dishes) the day off. The Cape Girardeau Parks & Rec Foundation is serving up its annual Spaghetti Day at the A.C. Brase Arena. Dine in or take out anytime between 11am and 7pm.
All proceeds go toward park improvements and recreation programs, so you can twirl your fork knowing you’re doing good by eating good. God knows it's my favorite way to support my community.
Check the flyer for details and head on over, where the noodles are long, the lines are short, and the sauce somehow ends up on your shirt no matter what.
*Sponsored by VisitCape
Eat Well, Do Good Part 2
TOMORROW, Friday, Nov. 7, support the Southeast Missouri Food Bank in fighting local hunger. The event is called Empty Bowls, and it's lunch with a purpose. Stop by 4536 E. Jackson Blvd., Jackson, MO. between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. for a warm bowl of soup.
Your $15 ticket includes lunch and a commemorative bowl. Carry-out is available, and delivery in Cape/Jackson is $16. Get tickets.
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 7
Empty Bowls, Jackson, MO - Are you experiencing deja vu? It's me again! Same event as above. Friday's lunch is soup for an awesome cause.
Historic Downtown Holiday Open House, Sikeston, MO - The holiday seasons change fast enough to give you whiplash. Kick Christmas off in downtown Sikeston with carriage rides, live reindeer, and Santa photos. Stop by the Rodeo Museum for treats and gift shop discounts, then make a Christmas keepsake at the Malone Center for the Arts while the Bootheel River Symphony performs. Friday, 5-8pm.
Mike FM’s 80s Prom, Cape Girardeau, MO - Scout Hall goes full 80s with air guitar battles, lip sync contests, and all your favorite 80s hits. 7:30pm-midnight, $25. You know you've got some acid-wash denim in your closet you've been dying to wear.
U.S. Grant Symposium, Cape Girardeau, MO - Historians, authors, and Civil War buffs gather at Kellerman-Lorimier Hall for a full day exploring Ulysses S. Grant’s life and legacy. I had no idea this dude spent so much time in Cape. Speakers include Dr. Curt Fields, Lyle Randolph, and Louis L. Picone. 9am-3pm. Free with registration at usgrantsymposium.org.
Cape Con, Cape Girardeau, MO - The region’s biggest comic-culture party kicks off at the Show Me Center with panels, gaming tournaments, cosplay, and a special 50th-anniversary screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Doors open at 3pm. The possibility of running into your boss dressed as Luke Skywalker makes it worth it, alone.
The Dirty Dozen Brass Band at Hangar 9, Carbondale, IL - High-energy New Orleans sound! The legendary, GRAMMY-winning Dirty Dozen Brass Band takes the stage, blending jazz, funk, soul, and rock. Doors open at 6pm, show at 7pm, $35, 18+.
Fall Wine & Food Pairing, Shawnee Hills Wine Trail, IL - Sip your way through southern Illinois as each winery serves up a seasonal dish paired with its signature pour. Tickets include a souvenir glass and tastings at all 11 stops. 12-6pm. DM me if you want to be my DD.
Haunted History Tours, Harrisburg, IL - If you're not ready to let go of the scares, I have good news for you: The Saline County Historical Society is back with Chapter 3 of its haunted history tours. Hear true tales of coal mining, Civil War soldiers, and old-time funeral customs on a guided lantern walk. Tours run every half hour from 5:30-8:30pm.
Sat, Nov 8
The Art of Conservation, Fredericktown, MO - Slow down and get creative at this free, all-ages outdoor workshop at the Castor River Shut-Ins. Enjoy a short hike, learn about local ecology, and make nature-inspired art with provided supplies. 10:30am.
Holy Roller Gravel Grinder, Brazeau, MO - LAST CALL TO SIGN UP! Pedal Perry County gravel through scenic back roads under the fall-colored trees! Ride 17, 35, or 70 miles. Proceeds support families facing congenital heart defects. Smooth gravel and rolling hills followed by a winery.
Fall Craft Fair-Meier Horse Shoe Pines, Jackson, MO - An annual fall market featuring local makers, handmade goods, and seasonal décor. Accent on the 'e'. Saturday, Nov 8, 9am-3pm.
It's Fall Y'all, Cape Girardeau, MO - It's a craft & vendor fair at the Osage Center. Shop local, find new handmade goods, and support a good cause. 9am-1pm.
Fall Community Garage Sale, Cape Girardeau, MO - Treasure hunters, rise early! The Osage Centre fills with 70+ booths for the city’s biggest indoor yard sale. Saturday, Nov 8, 7-11am. $2 admission.
Cape Con, Cape Girardeau, MO - Day two brings celebrity panels, podcasts, tournaments, and the fan-favorite Cosplay Contest. Doors open at 10am, with events running all day. If ever there were a place to meet your people, this is it.
Riverfront Cleanup, Cape Girardeau, MO - Join the Missouri Department of Conservation at Riverfront Park for a quick afternoon litter pickup along the water’s edge. Gloves, T-shirts, snacks, and drinks are provided.
Guided Hike at Giant City State Park, Makanda, IL - Join the River to River Trail Society for a free 6-mile thru hike. This moderate hike lasts about 4 hours and requires sturdy shoes, water, and snacks. You can borrow my trick: when I'm getting tired, I pretend I'm stopping to take pictures. Meet at the Giant City Visitor Center at 10am. Free.
Fall Wine & Food Pairing, Shawnee Hills Wine Trail, IL - Day two of this self-guided tasting tour brings more award-winning wines and autumn-inspired bites along the scenic Shawnee Hills Wine Trail. 11am-6pm. 21+.
Haunted History Tours, Harrisburg, IL - Night two of Haunted History Tours offers another round of local legends and haunted heritage. Tours depart 5:30-8:30pm at the Saline County Historical Society. Rain or shine, and proceeds support the museum.
Sun, Nov 9
Downtown Dexter Tree Lighting, Dexter, MO - Get your Christmas freak on in the heart of downtown Dexter with hot chocolate, cookies, Christmas carols, and even live reindeer. The lights go on at 5:30pm at the Dexter Welcome Center. Free.
Cape Con, Cape Girardeau, MO - Wrap up the weekend with more panels, gaming finals, and the pizza-eating contest before the curtain closes on Cape Con’s 20th anniversary. Doors open at 10am.
Pet Christmas Portraits, Cape Girardeau, MO - Busch Pet Products hosts its annual holiday photo event. Take your four-legged family for festive portraits. You can buy digital packages, magnets, and ornaments. 11am-1pm. First-come, first-served.
Plan Ahead: The Fun You Can't Improvise
Overnight Paranormal Investigation, Arcadia, MO - The spirits don't leave us just because the Hallmark Channel starts poppin' off. Spend the night inside the historic Arcadia Academy for a guided ghost hunt led by Haunted Soulz. Includes snacks, drinks, and paranormal equipment. Saturday, Nov 15, 7 PM-3 AM. $75. Tickets are nearly sold out.
Festive Watercolor Workshop, Sikeston, MO -On the cozier side of life: Sip, paint, and get into the holiday spirit with a watercolor workshop from 3-5pm. All supplies provided. Ages 16+. $40 suggested donation. Call (573) 621-8729 to register. Nov. 16
*With so much going on, we can’t include everything. We hand-select picks that match the mission, and include events from all over the area to encourage you to explore towns you don’t usually visit. If you’re looking for more in Cape or Carbondale, here are some more sources: The Southeast Missourian, the Missouri Department of Conservation, The Scout, KFVS12, Southern Illinois Tourism, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, and Southernmostillinois.com.
Another Great Newsletter
I don’t believe in gatekeeping the good stuff or bogarting my resources. If you’re reading this, you’re obviously newsletter people, so here’s another one you may enjoy.
The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) has email newsletters you can tailor by region, meaning you don’t have to wade through fishing reports from Northwest Missouri if you just want news close to home.
Go to this link and scroll down to the section that says “Regional Newsletters,” and you can pick Southeast Missouri (or wherever you roam most).
For example, their lovely newsletter taught me that our fall colors have been a bit of a flop this year because of the late-season drought. However, according to MDC community forester Jennifer Behnken, some species of trees, like sumac and sassafras, are still putting on a show despite this year's drought.
If you’re chasing fall colors, Behnken recommends checking out: 🍁 Trail of Tears State Park 🍁 Magnolia Hollow Conservation Area 🍁 Apple Creek Conservation Area 🍁 General Watkins Conservation Area 🍁 Taum Sauk Mountain State Park 🍁 Johnson Shut-Ins State Park
We live to please, sire. *bows humbly in my best medieval serf. Help us improve the newsletter by taking a brief survey - Only 2 questions.
Us, too! Although we have no clue what the almighty algorithm wants from us (our firstborn is my best guess). So we're just out here posting what we feel like, which is usually local destinations.
