Outdoors

It was certainly a desire to ride through the state’s green and rolling-hill countryside in summertime that attracted us. Maybe there was a pain component, too, that was curiously, if a little perversely, compelling—confronting the dreaded beast that is humidity in Missouri’s hottest months. 

The Missouri Monster—Mo Mo—became part of Missouri history and folklore 50 years ago in July 1972. While I never had an encounter with that Mo Mo, there was another, different Mo Mo that actually lived with us. Let me explain.

The Missouri Botanical Garden will offer free admission to all visitors on Sunday, June 19 in honor of Juneteenth. Visitors can spend a restful and restorative day in the Garden and partake in special activities planned for the day. 

Glamorous camping—"glamping"—seemed to be right up my alley and in a way, it was how I could get the best of both worlds by enjoying the outdoors and nature, while also having the same luxuries offered at home.

Missouri River Relief is hosting Missouri River Days for the first time since 2019. This program provides fourth-graders from Columbia Public Schools with a field trip to the Missouri River, where they will get to experience its muddy waters aboard one of Missouri River Relief’s motorboats.

Experts agree it is important to incorporate Missouri native plants into whatever garden you tend, even if there isn’t room for an extravagant setup.

Roaring River State Park is beloved for its trout fishing but named for its preternaturally turquoise spring, which flows from the base of a towering, U-shaped bluff. At the viewing platform, its shadowy mouth is hauntingly beautiful, dappled with light and the shadows from hanging ferns. On average, the spring produces an unfathomable 20.4 million gallons of water per day.

The 2022 edition of Missouri Life magazine’s Big BAM (Bicycle Across Missouri) will take place along Route 66 from June 12-18,starting in Joplin and ending in Eureka. More than 100 cyclists have already registered for the adventure.

Missouri River Relief is debuting its new “Missouri River Scientists” traveling trunk education program, partnering with Columbia Public Schools to launch the initiative.

Teachers at Columbia Public Schools will have the first opportunity to bring “Missouri River Scientists” into their classrooms as a fun new way to explore the recovery and management of the endangered Pallid Sturgeon.

Ride America’s historic Route 66 across Missouri in June 2022! You’ll ride along historic sites and iconic points of interest as you meander from Joplin to Eureka. You will experience the beautiful scenic Ozarks and pastoral countryside as well as passing along wineries and breweries and true Americana at its best!