Saturday, March 8 from 2 PM – 2:30 PM at the Columbia Public Library is the Summer Garden Planning Workshop hosted by the Columbia Center for Urban Agriculture (CCUA). This workshop is an adult-level class where people can plan ahead for gardening healthy crops of tomatoes, peppers, and other plants in their gardens this spring …
The Gans Creek Wild Area with its bottomland forest, wooded hills, and limestone bluffs offers serene vistas. Gans Creek has been designated an Outstanding State Resource Water. • Randal Clark
Greg and Danita Wood, owners of Missouri Life magazine, take a once in a lifetime horseback riding adventure out West. They headed to the mountains of Wyoming and a horse-riding adventure on the Bitterroot—a working cattle ranch that is nested at 7,200 feet in the Absaroka Mountains.
Long Branch State Park has one of the nicest sandy beaches of any state park as well as amazing walleye fishing. Spend the day hiking the park and learn all about its extraordinary history. And find out all about the Bee Trace.
A great effort is underway to restore our natural prairies, glades, woodlands, and marshes. Learn how this is being done and where you can see these restored areas. And read about how the owners of Missouri Life are creating natural habitat on their farm.
Clark’s Hill is a triple-bonus sort of place, interesting geologically, geographically, and historically. Plus, it provides one of the finest overlook views of the Missouri River valley that can be had. Hike up the hill to stand in the footsteps of Lewis and Clark.
Table Rock State Park is indeed worth a visit. It provides the perfect access to a storied region. You may enjoy the abundant tourist attractions of Branson, but when you need a break, you can hike the park trails or find along some backwoods byways much that is still unspoiled and inviting in the White River Hills.
Bothwell Lodge sits atop a bluff near Sedalia. The estate is a stunning stone structure with a mountain of history. You can tour the lodge and learn about the owner John Homer Bothwell. Take a hike on the Stoneyridge Trail and stop for a picnic along the way.
The Trail of Tears State Park is a 3,400-acre park with a superb preserve of an original Mississippi River landscape. It is also a sober reminder of the intolerance of a young country and a memorial to a resilient people who persevered.
If you’re someone who can’t get enough of twinkling holiday lights, then this enchanting event will certainly strike a “cord” with you – as in an extension cord! Stroll through strands of brightly colored lights during a magical outdoor evening.
Do you delight in twinkling lights and spectacular sights during the holidays? Do you find joy in dazzling displays of illuminated Christmas characters, ornaments, and more? Then this magical, free drive-through light display fills the bill.
Missouri is the cave state. This state park is one you should not miss. For more than seventy-five years before its 1982 acquisition as a park, Onondaga Cave was one of the major public attractions in the Midwest, and it still is. Come see why!
Nathan Boone, son of the famous pioneer, Daniel Boone, and family moved to the homestead in Ash Grove from their estate in St. Charles County. The site is now a State Historic Site and well worth a visit. His cabin, home furnishngs and the gardens are available to tour.
If you enjoy natural history and unusual local plants, animals, and geology, then St. Francois State Park is just the place for you. The park is filled with interesting Civil War history and you can learn how the hills of the park have been a hideout and a refuge for a long time.
What a perfect way to enjoy the holiday lights and slights – a free horse drawn “carriage” ride! Bundle up and take your seats, then ooh and ahh at the decorations. Find out where you can clip and clop and see the decked-out shops.
Bollinger Mill and Burfordville Covered Bridge provide you with a step back in time to experience genuine grist milling, a stroll through the oldest covered bridge in Missouri, and a peaceful rest along a tree-lined stream.
Big Sugar Creek State Park is full of nooks and crannies that are worth exploring. The rugged landscape is filled with rare plants and animals. This park is one of the only places in Missouri where the Ozark Chinquapin survives.
Cuivre River State Park consists of more than 6,400 acres centered on Big Sugar Creek, a tributary of Cuivre River. A dozen different hiking, backpacking, biking, and equestrian trails total some thirty-five miles make this park a great place to visit.
Writer Matt Crossman fills us in on his first foray into deer hunting. He finds that the harvesting of an actual deer is not the most important part of deer hunting. And you will find out why he thinks of Raisinettes differently now.
If you’re into Halloween, dressing up in a spooky or sultry costume, and riding your boo-cycle, you’ll want to check out a monstrously fun event on Saturday, October 28, 2023. Join other ghouls and guys for an awesome bike-based evening!
A visit to Lake Wappapello should be on your must-do list. The lake is clear, the forests are diverse, the fishing is excellent, and the cabins are a great place to spend a few days relaxing. Learn the history of the dam and how the lake was created.
Ten years ago, Missouri Life columnist Ron Marr filled us in on the zen of catfishing. He muses on the rules of flyfishing and why he finds catfishing more to his liking. Find why Ron knows there is more to catfishing than meets the eye..
You have got to see these trees. Big Oak Tree State Park is home to one national champion, a pumpkin ash, and three state champion trees, overcup oak, sweetgum, and persimmon. The ancient cypress are awe inspiring. The park is also a bird watchers dream with more than 150 known species chirping from the trees.
In Missouri, the devil seems to own everything, including the kitchen and the sink. His name is associated with natural features that include names like tollgate, well, den, tea table, pan, washboard, promenade, elbow, and many others. But why are so many geologic formations property of the devil?
Fifty years ago work was underway on a dam that would create Truman Lake. The locals were divided on whether the lake would help or destroy their economy. Missouri Life met with area residents to get their unfiltered opinions on the project.
Spend a few days at Big lake State Park. There is so much to do from fishing to camping to boating. Big Lake is an oxbow lake and among the largest remaining natural oxbow lakes along the Missouri River. It is one of the largest natural lakes of any type in the State.
Pumpkins are good for so many things. Pie, curries, beer, decorations, and heck, you can even bowl with them. Learn all the wonderful things pumpkins have to offer and why this fruit is so versatile. Maybe you’ll bowl a strike too.
If you marvel at majestic monarchs, with their beautiful, bright orange and black wings, then you won’t want to miss a special event on Sept. 30, 2023. Fans of these fancy fliers can flock to see them as they begin their fall migration southward.
Bennett Spring State Park is lovely at any time of year, but visiting in the Fall is glorious. The lodge is a rustic yet very comfortable place to stay for a few days, so you have plenty of time to take in all this State Park has to offer.
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