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Consider yourself told. It's time to sign up for the fun stuff.
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Sexy Spring Excursions: Caves, snakes, and kayak tours
Need a pick me up to push you through these final chilly days? Plan something to look forward to. It's the hang-in-there light at the end of the arctic tunnel.
Dates have been posted for 3 of our favorite local outdoor excursions.
You will get wet and muddy. There is some crouching and boulder scrambling involved. But most of the excursion is a regular ol' stroll in a creek bed underground. Am I selling it? It's super cool, man. There is NO mandatory crawling in tight places required (but you can if you really want to). Helmets, head lamp, and pads provided. Ages 7-17 must attend with a registered adult. Info session 5:30pm Thursday April 16. Exploration 9:30am Saturday April 18. Wear clothes that you don't mind sacrificing to the mud gods. Registration required. Limited spots available. Some fun facts about Perry County caves are in an older issue's "Did you know?", here.
2. Cache River Kayak & Canoe Tours, Ullin, IL - Even you can paddle through ancient cypress swamps with Cache Bayou Outfitters, whether you prefer a guided daytime tour or one of their popular full moon paddles. No experience required, gear provided, and instruction available for beginners. Seasonal tours begin in March. $65 adults, $35 kids.
And if you're thinking, "But I have spaghetti arms and the shoulders of an earthworm," well, just opt for a canoe and take someone younger and stronger than you.
From the moonlight paddle Sept 2025 group
3. Snake Road Spring Closure & Volunteer Training, Wolf Lake, IL - The famously slithery 2.5-mile stretch in the Shawnee National Forest (you know, the one in Nat Geo and Outside Magazine) closes to vehicle traffic again in mid-March as timber rattlesnakes, copperheads, mostly cottonmouths, and 20+ other species migrate from their winter cliff dens down to their summer swamp resorts. The road remains open to foot traffic, making it one of the most unique wildlife walks in the country. Want to do more than spectate? The Snake Road Sentinel Spring Workshop trains volunteers to help monitor wildlife and collect data. Catch it at 10am Saturday February 28 at the Mississippi River Bluff Ranger Station. Free.
If you prefer to explore Snake Road from your armchair, check out the Facebook group where wildlife enthusiasts share photos from their Snake Road adventure.
If you're so stoked you already got one boot on, read these resources before you go: Snake Road Guide and Safely Enjoying Snake Road by Hiking with Shawn, a trusted local guide. The resources do a great job of addressing any safety concerns you might have and helping you prepare for an ethical outing that is not damaging to the snakes or their home. And if you're nervous to go alone, hire Shawn to guide you.
What's there to do? Shut-in hangs and all the shut-in hangs things: Scramble over boulders, skip rocks, dip your piggies, take cute pics, draft bipartisan legislation to fix the healthcare system, relax to the sound of water rushing between rocks.
Lon Sanders Canyon Conservation Area February 2026
The terrain is rocky and uneven, so bring shoes with grip and maybe a walking stick if you’re not sure-footed.
At the fork in the trail, go left over the wooden bridge first. That’s where the good scrambling is. When you’re done playing on the rocks, backtrack and take the other path to see the remains of old dams that now create small waterfalls. It's hard to get lost if you just follow the creek up and down until the trail ends.
We spent so long at the creek that we didn’t have time for much else. But for lunch, we tried Track Side Cafe - a cozy mom-and-pop diner in a historic building in Piedmont. My cheeseburger was *chef's kiss.
Piedmont, we'll be back to get to know you better late April when we hit up the UFO Fest.
You know we're all about that activity bundling. Each time I successfully pry my Cheetos-dusted fingers from my beloved remote, I try to make a day of it. That's my philosophy: Get your fill and hermit for another week.
That's why I love offering you this two for one:
The Armstrong Outdoor Fest is back at the Osage Centre this weekend with vendors, live music, and all things outdoor life: boating, fishing, RVs, camping, and whimsy. I'm actually not sure about the whimsy... But if you’re already headed that way, make a quick stop at the VisitCape office! They’ll be open Friday and Saturday during the event. They say they'll be open for the fest goers. I think it's because the lucky sons of ducks will be located by the crawfish boil.
Stop in and support a local tourism bureau. Get all the good things-to-do-in-Cape advice. It’s not just for the stylish Houston-ite here on a business trip. It’s for you, too.
*Sponsored content
To add an event to a future issue, click here, and select 'Event Ad'.
This Weekend’s Happenings
Fri, Feb 27
Puzzle and Guzzle at The Riverhouse, Scott City, MO - Teams of four race to finish a mystery puzzle while fueling up on pizza and sangria. Obviously. Arrive 5:30pm, puzzle starts 6:30pm. $15 per person.
Movies of Meaning: 1776, Sikeston, MO - Malone Park Center for the Arts kicks off its film series with the 1972 musical drama 1776, exploring the debates behind America’s independence. Part of the Movies of Meaning series. 6pm. Free.
4th Friday Art Walk, Ste. Genevieve, MO - Historic downtown galleries and shops stay open late for an evening stroll filled with local and regional art. Grab a map at the Welcome Center and wander at your own pace. 6pm-9pm. Free. No top hat required. Fancy descriptive adjectives like 'transcendent' are optional.
Design a Pollinator Garden Workshop, Cape Girardeau, MO - Learn how to plan and plant a native pollinator garden with guidance from Juneberry Plant Shop, then sketch your own design. Includes charcuterie, a plant-inspired beverage, and a free seed packet. 5:30pm-7:30pm. $35.
Armstrong Outdoor Fest, Cape Girardeau, MO - A three-day outdoor expo at the Osage Centre featuring celebrity guests, vendors for boating, fishing, RVs, and camping, plus live music and food trucks. 12pm-6pm. $10. Kids 12 and under free with adult. Don't forget to stop at VisitCape. (Sponsored)
Coffee on the Cache, Cypress, IL - A monthly morning meetup at the Cache River Wetlands Center to swap trail updates, wildlife sightings, nature photos, and ideas for community programs. Free coffee, friendly faces, and outdoor conversation. Last Friday of every month, 9am-10am. Free. The kind of activity that makes me wish I were retired.
Sat, Feb 28
Carpe Diem 2026: A Night Under the Stars, Cape Girardeau, MO - SEMO’s annual cultural celebration transforms the Student Rec Center into a global marketplace with international food, cultural booths, live music and dance, and a Global Fashion Show. 6pm-9pm. Free. (Sponsored)
Chainmail Make & Take Activity, Cape Girardeau, MO - Drop in at the Crisp Museum and learn a basic 4-in-1 chainmail pattern using metal rings and pliers. Dost thou wish to craft thyself armor young squire? For thou art preparing for battle (or brunch?). 1pm-4pm. Free.
Sit Down, Shut Up: A Dinner Show, Cape Girardeau, MO - An intimate songwriter night at Scout Hall featuring four singer-songwriters sharing stories behind their music. Dinner by Celebrations is included, so you’re fed and serenaded. Doors 6pm, dinner 6:30pm, show 7pm. $40.
Armstrong Outdoor Fest, Cape Girardeau, MO - Day two of this outdoor-focused weekend offers more vendors, meet-and-greets, live music, and food for anyone who lives the hunting, fishing, camping life. 9am-6pm. $10. Kids 12 and under free with adult. (Sponsored)
20th Annual Mason-Dixon Chili Cook-off, Poplar Bluff, MO - A longtime Poplar Bluff tradition at the Black River Coliseum where teams compete for chili royalty status. Come hungry and cast your vote. 11am. Free admission.
Snake Road Sentinel Spring Workshop, Wolf Lake, IL - Ever wanted to help monitor one of the wildest wildlife migrations in our region? Shawnee National Forest is training volunteers to collect wildlife data and track visitor activity during Snake Road’s spring closure. Learn the science, ethics, and methods behind this citizen-science effort, then optionally visit the road itself. 10am. Free.
Reintroducing the Alligator Gar to the Cache River, Cypress, IL - A free public talk at the Cache River Wetlands Center about bringing one of North America’s prehistoric fish back to Southern Illinois waters. Learn the science, history, and conservation efforts behind the comeback. 10am-11am. Free.
Palentines Day: Gothic Circus, Alto Pass, IL - An adults-only dark circus cabaret at Alto Vineyards featuring burlesque, drag, circus acts, and immersive theatrical flair. This is a risqué, dress-up, drink-up kind of night built around sass and spectacle. Maybe don't bring your grandma, unless she's into that kind of thing. 6pm. $20-$35. 21+.
Civil War Speaker Series, Anna, IL - A free day of historical talks hosted by the Shawnee Hills Arts Council covering General Sherman, Southern Illinois during the war, early special ops units, and Confederate spy Belle Boyd. Exhibits and speakers are open to the public. 9am-1pm. Free. Lunch available for purchase.
An Illustrated Chronicle of the Inoca in Southern Illinois, Makanda, IL - A history program at Giant City State Park tracing the story of the Illini tribes from glacial landscapes to displacement and genocide, including their time in Southern Illinois and interactions with French, English, and American forces. 1pm-2:30pm. Free.
Compass & Maps 101, Paducah, KY - A hands-on navigation class at Hooper’s Outdoor Center covering how to use a compass, read topographic maps, and pinpoint your location using bearings and terrain features. Perfect for hikers, hunters, and anyone who wants to stop guessing on the trail.
Sun, Mar 01
Armstrong Outdoor Fest, Cape Girardeau, MO - Final day to browse outdoor gear, meet featured guests, and catch live music at this regional outdoor showcase. 10am-4pm. $10. Kids 12 and under free with adult.
Women Advocating for Equality: 250 Years of Impact, Cape Girardeau, MO - A public talk at the Kellerman Foundation exploring the role women have played in shaping the nation over the past 250 years, with special focus on Women of Color and women in Missouri. Presented by Dr. Ayanna Shivers.
Plan Ahead - The Fun You Can't Improvise
Nature Center at Night: Marvelous Morels, Cape Girardeau, MO - A naturalist-led evening at the Cape Girardeau Nature Center all about identifying morels, spotting look-alikes, and learning where and when to find them. Includes tips on ethical foraging and preparing your harvest. 5pm-7:30pm. Free.
Underground Comedy, Cape Girardeau, MO - A stand-up night at Scout Hall featuring comedians from St. Louis and beyond, hosted by Cape’s own Julian Watkins. Doors 7pm, show 8pm. $12-$15. 21+.
Wine, Witches & Wicked Women, Cape Girardeau, MO - A Women’s History Month brunch at Fudio exploring powerful women who were labeled dangerous, defiant, or worse. Thoughtful conversation, wine tastings, and brunch bites in a woman-owned space. 11am-1pm. $25. Sat, March 21.
Living in Ste. Genevieve House Tour, Ste. Genevieve, MO - Nosy neighbors rejoice! Step inside 6 privately owned homes and hear how they’ve been renovated, restored, and reimagined. Tour at your own pace, then wander downtown for shops, museums, and lunch. 11am-2pm. $15 adults. Sat. March 21.
Chubb Trail Races, Eureka, MO - Set in forested terrain near the Meramec River at West Tyson County Park. Trail runners can choose from an 8-mile, 25K, 50K, or the new 25K ruck race. Sat, March 28.
Wildflower Hike, Perryville, MO - Join Perry Park Center and the Missouri Department of Conservation for a guided 1.5-mile hike at Blue Spring Branch Conservation Area to learn common spring wildflowers. Ages 12+. Free, but registration required. Shuttle provided from Perry Park Center. Saturday, April 11.
Intro to Wild Caving, Perryville, MO - A two-part guided excursion with Perryville Parks and Rec that starts with a required info session, then heads underground to explore a real Perry County cave. Ages 7-17 must attend with a registered adult. Info session 5:30pm Thursday April 16. Exploration 9:30am Saturday April 18. Registration info at the link.
For each event, you’ll find more info at the link. *Because 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.
