Sunday, August 14, 2011

A New Direction






I'm all smiles. The heat has finally broken here, and the weather the last few days is more than welcome. Sorry, for those of you who are still suffering from the summer blahs. While taking our dogs for their customary weekend treks to some of our state parks, it hit me how very fortunate I am to live in the midst of scenic beauty that has withstood the test of time.
While contemplating my good fortune, I recalled an idea I had several years ago. There are many little spots here that draw tourists year after year, but also some that are not on the beaten trail. A few, known mostly by those who live nearby, deserve a bit of attention.
So, in the days and weeks ahead, I'm dedicating this blog to a combination of photos and narrative that will introduce you to my world. I ask you to bear with me, as this is my first attempt to mix photos and text on this blog; an adventure in progress. LOL
My first trek is to a town by a seldom used railroad, a meandering river, and the ghosts of glory days past; Blackwater, Missouri. There are buildings left there that echo those ghosts, but also a few hardy souls remain to handle the constant influx of wanderers, who mostly arrive (and leave) in the summer. The old Iron Horse Hotel still accomodates folks, operating as a bed and breakfast these days. It's called Iron Horse because it sits beside the train station at the edge of town. Once an establishment where my wife and I dined on fine cuisine, it is another reminder of days past.
Speaking of my wife, Patricia's dad once was Blackwater's town marshall. The fact that he was six feet six, and weighed a hefty three hundred pounds of pure muscle probably factored in the town's decision to let him ride herd on the rowdy crowd that filled the town night after night. I'm told things quieted down a lot after Red Stoecker laid the law down; and I have it on good authority that he laid a few of those rowdies right on their skinny bottoms, too. (good thing he and I got along well, huh?)
Oh, yeah. That meandering river is the Blackwater, and it still gives the locals fits when it floods. Good thing Blackwater (the town) is on the high side of Blackwater (the river). So, if you're ever coming down I-70 in western Missouri, look for the Blackwater turnoff. It's a few miles west of Pilot Grove, and an easy three miles north. For those of you who fancy antiques, that is the major industry of quaint, colorful, but almost left behind Blackwater, Missouri.
That's it for this time around. Next week, a visit to a town that has been the setting for a movie, and not just any movie, but a film recreation of Missouri's most famous author. Stay tuned. PD









15 comments:

  1. Love, love, love the pictures. That's one of the greatest things about everybody's blogs, we all get to go everywhere. I particularly love the building that sits on the corner. We've got a few like that in Macon. Please let us know when you've shown us another town! (Family legend has it that I have a great uncle that rode with Jesse James. I have no idea if that's fact or fiction, but use it as an excuse for being such a renegade. Very handy, huh?)

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  2. What a picture you painted with words. I love small, old towns. Your pictures are great also, I'm with Gail, I love the corner building.

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  3. Love the pics, and I'm for sure staying tuned. :)

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  4. My mom's people are from Missouri so I'll be checking in now and again to see what you have for us. What a great idea, and thanks!

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  5. As a Missourian (Independence) transplanted to foreign territory (Florida) I have to tell you how much I enjoyed those pictures and your post--although they make me ache for home. :)
    Thank you! I'll look forward to more! There are some great scenes for stories, too!

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  6. Those are beautiful pictures. I haven't been to Missouri in twenty years, and I think it's time to go back.
    -Anne
    http://anneejohnson.blogspot.com

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  7. Hi, everybody. Thanks for dropping by and leaving a comment. It seems hard to remember a time when I was all too happy to be away from my roots. Looking back, I can see how my wanderlust took me to far off places that had their own charm. On balance, I think I'm in the best place I can be for the balance of my life.
    Oh, yes, before I forget again. My last statement should have included, 'most famous author's most famous novel. Can you guess what it is?
    Cheers,
    PD

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  8. I lived in St. Charles for many years. Love Missouri, it is a very picturesque state as your photos show.

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  9. It's Anne again, now using Chrome, thanks to your suggestion, and thus able to comment with my own name!

    Just wanted to say that I'm recommending your blog to a colleague who lives in and writes about Missouri.

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  10. Waving again! I just added my other published book covers, and enabled them all to access my publishers. We're getting a light rain now, the first of any substance since the state fair started last week. But my lawn will love the moisture. PD

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  11. Thanks for posting the pictures with details. I love historic buildings and towns. We must have passed Blackwater this past March when we drove to Branson.

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  12. Beautiful pictures,Pat! So interesting to me as a Brit (It would be nice to have some of your warmer weather here, it's quite chilly at the moment and we''re in the middle of August!

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  13. Beautiful job on the blog, Pat. Warm, inviting, informative, and my my, look at all those book covers! Congrats. Will look forward to your next blog. Might that be featuring Mark Twain?

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  14. Bingo! You guessed it, Pat. We've going to a little town on the Missouri River where 'Tom Sawyer' was filmed a few decades ago. The town is Arrow Rock, and is filled with passersby on a daily basis in the summers.
    PD

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