Historic St Charles Missouri

St Charles Christmas Market 2022 /suttong.com

St Charles Missouri was Missouri's first State Capitol between 1801 and 1826.

We stopped by for the annual Christmas market and parade. Parking at the historic Lewis and Clark Boathouse, pictured below, soon filled up.

Further along by the river is the old railroad station.

The Missouri River runs parallel to Main Street where locals and visitors gathered to watch the parade event between shopping and eating.

St Charles MO / G Sutton 2022

A vendor sells chestnuts and wassail.

St Charles MO/ G Sutton 2022

The sign to the left marks the old trail to Fort Osage, established August 25, 1808. General Clark and his men were guided by Nathan Boone, son of Daniel Boone as they headed west.

We saw a variety of Christmas gifts and lots of food-- a sample.

You can hear these women sing in the video below.

The Mistletoe Misses

The English Shop got my attention--but I think they should call it British.

At the end of the parade, Santa appeared.

There's a touch of international flavour.

Here's a video of the Christmas parade we watched 4 December 2022.

About St Charles, Missouri

St. Charles, Missouri, has a rich history that dates back to 1769 when it was founded by French Canadian fur trader Louis Blanchette as Les Petites Côtes (The Little Hills). The city was initially under Spanish control and later became known as San Carlos Borromeo before finally being renamed St. Charles.

In 1804, St. Charles gained historical significance as the starting point for the Lewis and Clark Expedition. The city also served as Missouri's first state capital from 1821 to 18262. Throughout the 19th century, German settlers contributed to the area's development, establishing a thriving wine region and bringing their culture and commerce.

Today, St. Charles is known for its historic sites, charming downtown, and annual festivals that celebrate its rich heritage. It continues to be a vibrant community with a deep appreciation for its history.

One of their biggest festivals is Heritage Days -- a re-enactment of Lewis & Clark's 1804 camp.

St Charles is less than a half-hour west of St Louis where we visited other sites during our Christmas getaway.

Click for Google Map

See other St Louis Area posts

Wild Lights at St Louis Zoo

GLOW at Missouri Botanical Gardens

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Branson Scenic Railway Branson Missouri

 Branson Scenic Railway is a leisurely ride through the Ozarks.

After arriving, we picked up our pre-ordered tickets 11:30 tickets inside the depot then waited outside on the crowded front deck.

Our grandson finished eating lunch--you are not allowed to bring food or drink on the train.

You can sit anywhere that is open. We were surprised to find a dome coach open. Perhaps it was because the air conditioning doesn't do so well in the three glass-topped coaches. But the views great.

The photo below is from the domed coach facing south as we head toward Arkansas on a sunny late Spring day in June.

The short video clip below is from the window above. It should give you some sense of the scenery and the journey in case you are thinking about going. You will hear some old music in the background, which attempts to add 1940s ?) ambience.

You can explore the train between the end diesel locomotives. In this room, there was only one chair.

At the end of the journey, people mill around to take photos. I was surprised at the length of the train. Although the outside waiting area was crowded, there was plenty of room on the train.

The journey takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes. The website says there are two different journeys. On this one we headed south for about 40 minutes before returning. 

The Ozark Zephyr is a diesel-powered locomotive. The passenger coaches (or cars) are restored and date from the 1930s to the 1960s. If you want the best air conditioning, it felt cooler in the cars with blue or red leather seating--no guarantee that will be true on a future ride.

Some tips

Book online if you can. Tickets are numbered and you board by the number on your ticket.

In 2022, you had to have a paper ticket to board. So, even if you purchased online, you still have to enter the station to collect your tickets.

You can buy tickets inside the depot if available but your number will be higher than those ahead of you.

The station is small. Although there are two restrooms, the line was long and slow when we were there.

Consider mealtimes. We booked the 11:30 am departure. They are very strict about not permitting food and drink on the train. There is a small snack bar on the train with limited options. Cookies were $1.10. You can buy some drinks for $2.00.

Refunds are limited. We purchased tickets the night before but I can't say if that is a good idea.

They do travel on rainy days.

Parking is across the street in a gravel lot north of the station. There is no additional charge for parking.

If you want to eat before your trip and don't have time for a sit-down restaurant, there are fast food restaurants west of the station.

There are restrooms on the train. The toilet stalls are very small. There was soap and water and a few paper towels. There were sanitizing bottles throughout the train.

Smoking and drinking alcohol are not permitted.

They announced that no guns were permitted--including concealed weapons--but I did not see them check to see if people had a concealed weapon.

And other notes from June 2022

Most of the passengers were senior citizens. Some children were with the seniors and there were a few families.

Those using a walker or wheelchair board first.

I noticed one conductor and one woman who gave a brief commentary during the first let of the journey.

More Information

Website = bransontrain.com

Google map BransonScenicRailway

My website     suttong.com

My videos on YouTube      SuttonTravels

AQUARIUM at Wonders of Wildlife Springfield Missouri

The Aquarium at the Wonders of Wildlife in Springfield is worth a few hours of your time in Southwest Missouri.

My wife and I visited the aquarium soon after it opened and were quite impressed--which is not easy because we have seen some great aquariums in the US, UK, and NZ.

When you first walk in you see a huge multistory aquarium, which in itself is impressive--300,000 gallons worth! You quickly find yourself tracking movement as you navigate the circular structure.

What's next?

Well, there are displays of fishermen and their equipment. That might not thrill folks not into fishing. But don't despair. There's more. Much more actually. According to the ads, there are "more than 35,000 animals...over 800 species of sharks, rays, jellies, eels, sport fish..."

Here's a glimpse of some of the things you can enjoy.

Shipwreck Reef











Swamp at Night-- with audio effects! (Kinda dark so, no photos)

Rivers and Streams  *  Mangroves  *  The Amazon

An under river experience  *  Shark Alley  *  Coral Reefs

A fantastic display of seashells from around the world (they are in glass cases so I did not get any good photos here)


A look in deep waters


Sometimes you can see divers feeding fish.






There are dark caves and River Monsters


And there's a chance to touch rays and starfish. Great for kids-- all ages of course.






And of course a gift shop where you can find gifts at reasonable prices. We naturally thought of our grandchildren.


INFORMATION

Location:  500 W. Sunshine St. Springfield, Missouri, USA 65807

Hours: Mostly 10:00 am to 8:00 pm - some variations so check the website for details.

Entrance Fees: It is expensive but not more than you would pay at a large city aquarium.

TIP: Check closely as there are a variety of tickets for individuals and families with discounts available. We plan to go back so we purchased an annual pass. Ask about the upgrade rules before you leave if you bought a one day ticket and want to return.

Refreshments: There is a place to eat inside. You can find a number of restaurants nearby.

Parking: The parking is free and so far, there has been plenty of spaces available.

Website:  http://www.wondersofwildlife.org/visit.html

Beauty comes in many shapes



      


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Wilson's Creek National Battlefield Missouri

Wilson's Creek National Battlefield in Southwest Missouri is worth a visit if you are in the area. The Visitor's Center includes an introductory film that runs near half an hour. The museum includes storyboards giving the historical context of this early battle, which was decisive for the slave-holding state of Missouri--and perhaps for the nation.

I recommend reading the information on the website to get an overview along with additional details regarding hours and fees.

The staff are helpful. And there are special events, which are listed on the webpage. Following the film, we viewed a musket firing demonstration. Notice the clothes of this man representing Col Franz Sigel's German troops. This was 10 August, 1861 before the Blue and Gray uniforms clarified which side a soldier represented.

Later, a volunteer told the story of the Ray family house, which became a field hospital during the battle. General Lyon, the first Union general killed in the war, was brought there before eventually heading back to his family in Connecticut. Read more on the John Ray family.

Ray House, Wilson's Creek Battlefield

Gen Lyon brought to this bed

The Ray House is also a story of slavery in the Ozarks. Here's a quote and link to more information about Rhoda Ray (Ray story)

Rhoda Ray was born a slave about 1824; she and her children were owned by John Ray. She was referred to as “Aunt Rhoda” by the Ray family, and she and the children worked on the Ray farm. During the Battle of Wilson’s Creek, on August 10, 1861, Rhoda and her children initially sought shelter in the cellar of the Ray house, then helped treat the wounded after the house was occupied as a Southern field hospital. Rhoda was freed in 1865 and moved to Springfield, Missouri, where she married John Jones in 1868; she “took in laundry” and her husband worked in a stone quarry. Rhoda Jones died in Springfield, Missouri, on November 4, 1897, and is buried in Hazelwood Cemetery.

The tour road is accessed via a token-operated gate and is a one-way blacktopped road to the left. There are turnouts and parking areas along the route. Storyboards tell about local places and battle events. A phone number provides an audio message along the route.

In addition to the historical information, the site offers the beauty of the Ozarks -- green rolling hills in the spring and summer, various birds, white-tailed deer, wildflowers, and a variety of trees. And of course, there is Wilson's Creek. There are many well-marked trails as well.



Wilson's Creek itself is worth a few moments of tranquility and reflection.

White-tailed deer at Bloody Hill

Rest rooms are available in the Visitor's Center.

And there is a picnic area nearby.

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City Market Kansas City MissouriCity

City Market Entrance Kansas City MO/ Geoff W Sutton 2017

We walked about the City Market during a June 2017 visit to Kansas City. It's a good place to mix with people from many cultures selling a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, beautiful flowers, and various items suitable for unique gifts.

An historic marker identifies an old trading post.




There are several restuarants offerring a variety of ethnic foods in addition to other vendors. Many offer tempting samples. It's a good place for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

We found parking nearby and there's a local city tram serving the area.

The market is also home to the Arabia Steamboat Museum- also worth a visit.

Arabia Steamboat Kansas City MO

Arabia Collage Geoff Sutton 2017

We are glad we went to see the Arabia Steamboat Museum in Kansas City, Missouri.

The local explorers display tons of buried treasure they found when the excavated this pre-Civil War Steamboat, which sank in 1856. The museum tells the story of the ship and the discovery along with the process of restoration, which the explorers learned as they sought to preserve the contents of the mud-covered horde along with parts of this iconic 1800s boat.

Tons of treasure but only a few cents

We were fortunate to meet two of the explorers who answered questions following the brief introductory video. The film provides an overview and though not like those you will find in the best museums, you get a sense of adventure as you join in the exploration and awesome find. The authenticity comes through in a way that glitzy presentations can not capture.

An award-winning pitcher/ Arabia Steamboat/ Geoff W Sutton 2017

The displays are nicely designed and the lighting is much better than in some museums so you can actually read the inofrmation boards and take decent photos without flash.

Arabia Steamboat Treasure

Many of the items were for sale at area stores so some displays capture life in pioneer days as seen from the perspective of a frontier shop. Whether from the US or elsewhere, the Arabia Steamboat Museum offers a unique glimpse into this segment of Midwestern US history.

Ready for an 1800s store

One exhibit offers a hands-on educational talk on preserving sunken cargo.  There will be more to see in the future. The museum appears full yet there were some 60 of the 200 tons left to explore and restore.

Brief history of the Steamboat

Notes and tips

Check the website for times and more details.
There are clean restrooms near the exit.
There is a museum store on the main floor where you purchase tickets and shop.
The first part of the tour is guided.
Toys and working models make it interesting for young and old.
There are places to sit within the museum.
There's adequate parking neaby.
The area is served by a local city tram.
There are many fine restaurants in the nearby City Market.

National World War I Museum Kansas City Missouri USA

WWI Museum 2017

The National World War I Museum in Kansas City is worth a day's visit to appreciate the mutliple history-changing events that are a part of the guiding timeline. The U S entered the war just two months ago plus 100 years, 6 April 2017.

In addition to typical storyboards, many objects are on display including large guns and vehicles. An audio tour is available in addition to the audio-visual presentations, storyboards, and answers from staff.

Entry is via a two-day ticket purchased at the lower level-below the large tower. Visitors are ushered in to a circular timeline after crossing poppy fields seen through a floor of glass.

The introductory film adds little to the presentation unless you have not recently read or learned about the war from another source.

A second film is not far along in the museum and heldforth some promise of greatness based on the lifesized diorama below the screen. unfortunately, the diorama was not not incorporated into much of the video. The seating is limited here and mostly without support unless you sit agains the back wall. Lighting is poor and reflects off the glass barriers.

The collection of objects is a primary reason to view the museum in order to get a better sense of the context of the war- there's a plane, tank, vehicles, field guns, and many display cases containing weapons and uniforms. 

Although it is clearly an American Museum focusing on the role of the US in 1917-1918, the museum does include narratives and artifacts from the other major powers and tries to give visitors a true sense of the range of countries involved in this truly "world" war.

The roles of women and minorities are a part of the war and the crucial homefront. Some displays give a sense of other issues of the time-- for example-- women could not vote.

Above the main hall is a central tower that contains an elevator plus several steps leading to an impressive view of Kansas City. It is included in the entrance fee, which is good for two days. There are also exhibits in the two side buildings. On the day we visited, there was an outdoor photography display of scenes relevant to the story of the war.

There are plenty of places to picnic and park in the nearby park. Inside the facility is a cafeteria and gift shop.

There are plenty of places to sit and rest throughout the museum.

During our visit, all staff were friendly and helpful.

Restrooms are in several locations.

See the museum website for more details.

See More of My World War I Travels

Guide to World War I in France

Guide to World War I in Belgium

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