I mean, we know we're amazing. But it's nice to see others recognizing our cool.
Didja Know? (From the Archives)
You’ve likely heard of the famous Appalachian Trail (2,190 miles) and the Pacific Crest Trail (2,650 miles), both immortalized in books and film.
But did you know Missouri has its own mini version of a long-distance, thru-hike route?: The Ozark Trail (230 contiguous miles! And 430 miles total). The contiguous stretch connects Onondaga Cave State Park to the Eleven Point River. Most thru-hikers tackle it in roughly 2-4 weeks, depending on pace, weather, and how often they stop to spiral.
If you’ve ever thought, "A thru-hike sounds amazing… just not realistic for me," this might be your trail. It’s right there!...close enough to dream about without quitting your job or disappearing for half a year. Maybe you'll get a book deal, and Reese Witherspoon will play you in the movie.
*(This "Didja Know" was originally published in Backroad Weekly January 29, 2026)
Get Outside - Marble Creek
I met Kathie Brennan from the Ozark Trail Association Board of Directors about a month ago at the Cape Riverfront Market (I should have gotten her autograph)! And she shared something I'll share with you, "One of my favorite sections of the Ozark Trail is along Marble Creek."
I've been summertime creek-wadin' at Marble Creek, but I haven't hiked it. I've been there just enough to confirm that the colorful dolomite ("Taum Sauk Marble") shut-ins are beautiful, but not enough to share trail details. So, let's just hit the site's highlights:
Camp:"Campsites are shaded by tall trees...(and) there are several Creekside sites available." A great destination for quiet time-in-the-forest camping. $15 per night
Fish:"Marble Creek offers bank and wade fishing for smallmouth bass and panfish." No pier here. Some rock scrambling required.
Hike:This ~9-10-mile section of the Ozark Trail "runs from Marble Creek Campground to Crane Lake Picnic Area, with the Crane Lake Trail circling the lake."
Swim: The ruins of a grist mill dam create a 4-feet-deep millpond and small waterfall that creek-dippers enjoy in the summer.
Day-use parking is past the campground and costs $5 per car per day.
As always in a rocky/watery area, watch where you step. We share the forest with scale-y friends who don't want to be stepped on as much as you don't want to step on them.
And keep a close eye on your little ones. The current can be swift, the rocks can be slippery, and there's no lifeguard on duty.
Marble Creek, July 2025. To the left of the dam, you can see ruins of the old grist mill.
SIGHTING: Since I find myself still in Central America this week: Check out this chicken-like, pink-legged dude, spotted strutting across bumpy gravel roads in Guapiles, Limon, Costa Rica.
VIDEO SHORT: A quick little look at the Shut-ins Trail at Sam A Baker State Park. Bet it's gorgeous bathed in fall yellows, oranges, and crunchy footsteps.
ANNOUNCEMENT: I'm going to be doing a Gray Wednesday (my version of Black Friday) on Wednesday, November 25. My remaining Backroad Weekly shirts will be 25% off, on sale for $22.50.
Find Your People - The Ozark Trail Association
"The Ozark Trail Association (OTA) is a grass-roots non-profit volunteer group dedicated to the construction, maintenance and promotion of the Ozark Trail."
If you're a Southeast Missourian yearning for an outdoor-loving community, here is your big blinking neon sign to join the OTA in their mission. According to the FAQ page, you don't have to be a mega-fit, chainsaw-wielding body builder to help maintain the trail. All fitness levels welcome.
Help Out & Pitch In
There are so many ways to help the OTA "develop, maintain, preserve, promote, and protect the rugged, natural beauty of the Ozark Trail."
Show up at an outing or event to help work on the trail (sign up to the Newsletter for event updates!) There's an upcoming opportunity to pop in and lend a hand late November/early December in Winona.
It's incredible how much cool stuff we owe to the kindness and passion of those who volunteer their time and resources.
Shifting gears: Here's a heads up on a future weekend in which all your crafted goods dreams come true. Whether you like it or not, it's time to Christmas shop. Lest ye be pickin' from the scraps in late December... Googling, "gift ideas for mom" at 11pm, and paying extra for Amazon 2-day delivery. Then, feeling gross about putting more money in Bezos' pocket so he can send his plastic-face wife to the moon with Katy Perry.
Two events. Three venues. Over 300 vendors. Arts & crafts across Cape Girardeau all weekend.
Here's how I'd make a day of it:
I'd visit on Saturday when the downtown businesses are sure to be open
Start your morning with a hot drink and a quick light bite on Broadway from Broadway Biscuit Co, El Kolibri Coffee, or Mana Tea. God, I love Broadway. (Always check business hours before heading out!)
For lunch, you want something fast and casual, so you don't lose momentum on your crafts shopping spree. A famous Cape staple is Burrito-Ville. It's counter-serve, burrito-style comfort food.
Next stop, Crafts & Cider at the AC Brase Arena for the holiday market vibe. $3 entrance fee.
If you're not all walked out, you won't be far from the Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center. Go decompress from being surrounded by people all day. The trails are short and the colors are beautiful right now.
Or if you like to decompress with a stiff drink, I recommend Primo Vino & Cask, not far from the Osage Center and Nature Center. There's a classy bar hidden inside the wine shop.
This long day of fun and craft fairs is a bit of a marathon. For those who want to take it slow, stay the night. I bet my wonderful sponsors at VisitCape would be happy to answer your questions about lodging recommendations.
Want to share an upcoming event with 2,300+ 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, Nov 13
Chinese Brush Painting, Cape Girardeau, MO - "Participants will learn the Four Gentlemen techniques—plum blossom, orchid, chrysanthemum, and bamboo." Beginners welcome! 2-day event.
Viking River Cruise Arrival, Cape Girardeau, MO - Another river cruise ship will be docked at Cape's Riverfront Park! Head downtown 8am-5pm to see the behemoth.
Dueling Pianos Featuring Joy Brooker & Josh Abrams, Cape Girardeau, MO - Talented entertainers play your requests live, on the spot. Everyone needs to experience the dueling pianos spectacle at least once. 21+, $10
Four Sinister Bookworms, Cape Girardeau, MO - Live theater at Port Cape. Dine at 6:30pm. Show starts at 7:30. $48 for dinner and a show.
Southeast Saxophone Studio's Fall Recital, Cape Girardeau, MO - "Featuring solo performances by student musicians, chamber ensembles, and the SEMO Saxophone Choir" A free event at the Shuck Music Recital Hall at 7:30pm
Moonlight Madness, Dexter, MO - Go to Dexter after work because 22 shops are staying open late (5-9pm) so you can browse boutiques, gifts, and antiques. See the participating stores here.
Christmas Barn Sale Trail, Southern Illinois - A self-driven tour through the countryside, taking you to "barns transformed into enchanting Christmas marketplaces" where you can shop for crafts. It's a Christmas shopping driving tour with 16 potential stops!
Sat, Nov 14
Four Sinister Bookworms, Cape Girardeau, MO - A live theater performance at Port Cape. Dine at 6:30pm. Show starts at 7:30. $48 for dinner and a show.
Cape Library's Fall Fair, Cape Girardeau, MO - Food, games, prizes, crafts, and a petting zoo. Looks like a fun one for families.
Book Talk & Signing, Cape Girardeau, MO - A trolley car once clanged down Cape's Broadway. A crowd roared in a wooden grandstand where horse hooves thundered around a racing track in Capaha Park. John Denver crooned "Take me home country roads" at SEMO University. Hear all about the newly released local history book and get your copy signed.
Native American Storytelling, Perryville, MO - Hear from Suzanne Jones, a Missouri Humanities Speaker and member of the Choctaw, Cherokee, and Delaware Nations. 11:30am.
Fredericktown After Dark at the Womack Hotel, Fredericktown, MO - Take a mini tour of the historic Womack Hotel. Vendors, drinks, and finger foods. Meet some paranormal teams. $25 per person. 6-10pm.
Finding Your Civil War Ancestors, Bloomfield, MO - "Have a name, a photo, or a family story? Learn how to trace your ancestors' Civil War service." 10am-2pm. Register by Nov 1. $20. Bring a laptop.
Christmas Street Market, Marble Hill, MO - Vendors, baked goods, crafts, holiday decor, candles, soap, gifts, and some holiday appearances for the kids.
Fall in Love with Charleston, Charleston, MO - Charleston's fall festival is here! Events, games, music, food, and shopping along Charleston Main Street.
Sherwood Forest Festival, Ste. Genevieve, MO - "Merchant Street transforms into a medieval playground." Something for all ages. 10am-6pm.
Tunnel Hill 100/50, Vienna IL - Maybe you're not an ultrarunner but you're fascinated by the women and men of steel who run ultras, and you want to witness their greatness. This race, right across the bridge from us, is the home of 5 world records!
Guided Hike: Giant City State Park, Makanda, IL - Take a moderately-difficult, 4-mile hike with the River to River Trail Society. Free and open to the public. Meet at 10am.
Birding Hike at Giant City State Park, Makanda, IL - Join a Southern Illinois Audubon Society Member 9:30-11:30am to look for birds. She'll guide you along an easy 1/3 mile trail. Free and open to the public but space is limited. Call to reserve your space. Phone number at the link.
Christmas Barn Sale Trail, Southern Illinois - A self-driven tour through the countryside, taking you to "barns transformed into enchanting Christmas marketplaces" where you can shop for crafts. It's a Christmas shopping driving tour with 16 potential stops!
Sun, Nov 15
The Listening Revival, Cape Girardeau, MO - A little different from your typical bar show. You'll listen to great songs AND hear the stories behind them. Doors open at 3:30pm. Show starts at 4pm. "The songwriters share the stage, take turns performing their original songs, and talk about the stories, experiences and inspiration behind them." $30
Four Sinister Bookworms, Cape Girardeau, MO - Live theater at Port Cape. For the Sunday matinee, grab dessert instead of dinner. Sweet treats at 1pm and the show starts at 2pm. $30.
Plan Ahead The Fun You Can't Improvise
Hoaxes, Humbugs & Historical Scams, Cape Girardeau, MO - As part of the Weird Wednesdays after dark series, hear about some of the most spectacular frauds, cons, and hoaxes. Hosted by SEMO's Continuing Education. $25. Wednesday, Nov 18
The Meandering Turkey, Jackson, MO - ~5.5 miles of hilly, rooty single track. $45 if you sign up before Oct. 31. Limited to 100 runners and fills up fast! Nov 22. 1:30pm. (I have no idea if this is already full, but if it is, I still want you to know it exists, so you can plan for next year)
A Relaxing Hike Around the Nature Center, Cape Girardeau, MO - Join the MDC for a relaxed 1 to 2-mile hike around the Cape Nature Center's trail network. Registration opens tomorrow, Friday, November 13, but the hike is on Wednesday, Nov 25, 2-3:30pm. Registration required.
Rapids, Rocks, and Ridges: Hike Millstream Gardens, Madison County, MO - Take your Black Friday outside to enjoy the St. Francis River, shut-ins, views, and trails. Expect around 5 miles of rugged terrain. Shuttle leaves the Cape Nature Center at 12pm. Free. Must register. Registration opens tomorrow, Friday, November 13, but the hike is on Friday, November 27.
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.