Winter 2019
Once again the seasons have turned. We leave fall behind and anticipate another winter season that will surely bring us the cold beauty of snow and ice cloaked trees and the joy of warm cozy nights with family and friends.
While those cold days and nights can bring us good times indoors, we also can find good opportunities for winter travel in our great state. As usual, I have searched the internet to find sites that can provide entertainment on those cold nights and information for travel when the threat of “cabin fever” urges us to get out of the house.
I used to ice skate on one of our farm ponds. It was fun, but I think skating on the Midwest’s largest ice rink might have been better. For one thing, the Steinberg Skating Rink has a cafe nearby. Located in Forest Park in St. Louis, the rink is open everyday, including holidays and Sundays from November 11 through March 1. You can watch folks enjoying the skating online at SteinbergSkatingRink.com.
On the other side of the state, but also on the ice, we find the KC Curling Club. You can go to just watch or to play this Olympic sporting event that you may have seen on television. The club offers “learn to curl’ classes with stones and brooms provided. You just need warm clothing and non-slick shoes. Learn more at KCCurling.com.
We Missourians sometimes like to brag about our weather and the fact that we can have all four seasons in a single day. This web page at OnlyInYourState.com/missouri/ surviving-mo-winter offers 10 things to know to survive a Missouri winter. It is not serious, but it does have some very pretty winter photos.
This University of Missouri site at Climate.Missouri.edu/sigwxmo.php is totally serious. It lists the significant weather events in Missouri for the century. If you memorize these facts, you can be the hit of any weather-related conversation. For example, in 1924 three-fourths of the state was covered with a solid sheet of ice for at least half a month. The world record rainfall intensity was in Holt which received 12 inches of rain in 42 minutes. Well, maybe the hit of every conversation is a slight exaggeration.
Some days are perfect for staying home and others for traveling. We need to be safe on the highways and who would be the best for driving advice? The Missouri Highway Patrol (mshp.dps.missouri.gov/MSHPWeb/Publications/Brochures/ documents/SHP-725.pdf) offers driving tips for every season. It also has links and phone numbers to get current road conditions.
Nothing says fun like a Missouri festival. This site at OnlyInYourState.com/missouri/9-winter-festivals-in-mo-that-are-simply-unforgettable includes a list of nine great Missouri winter festivals that mostly take place between Thanksgiving and Christmas—a perfect time to get out and about. Here in Glasgow, we have our Olde Tyme Christmas the weekend after Thanksgiving. There are lots of activities including a lighted nighttime parade. Take a look a DowntownDifferent.com/glasgow/missouri.
MoStateParks.com/page/77676/winter-activities lists activities in some of our parks this winter. You will find everything from eagle watching to making maple sugar. There is plenty to amuse and educate at special events and, of course, there is always camping and hiking.
Enjoy your winter in Missouri. Be safe in your travels on the road and on the internet. If we should cross paths either on the web or perhaps at an ice rink (I’ll just be watching) or at a parade, be sure to say hello. Nothing warms a cold winter evening like a happy greeting from a friend.
J.Y. Miller lives in Glasgow and is a regular contributor to Show-Me Missouri. His e-mail address is jymiller@ShowMeMissouri.net.
While those cold days and nights can bring us good times indoors, we also can find good opportunities for winter travel in our great state. As usual, I have searched the internet to find sites that can provide entertainment on those cold nights and information for travel when the threat of “cabin fever” urges us to get out of the house.
I used to ice skate on one of our farm ponds. It was fun, but I think skating on the Midwest’s largest ice rink might have been better. For one thing, the Steinberg Skating Rink has a cafe nearby. Located in Forest Park in St. Louis, the rink is open everyday, including holidays and Sundays from November 11 through March 1. You can watch folks enjoying the skating online at SteinbergSkatingRink.com.
On the other side of the state, but also on the ice, we find the KC Curling Club. You can go to just watch or to play this Olympic sporting event that you may have seen on television. The club offers “learn to curl’ classes with stones and brooms provided. You just need warm clothing and non-slick shoes. Learn more at KCCurling.com.
We Missourians sometimes like to brag about our weather and the fact that we can have all four seasons in a single day. This web page at OnlyInYourState.com/missouri/ surviving-mo-winter offers 10 things to know to survive a Missouri winter. It is not serious, but it does have some very pretty winter photos.
This University of Missouri site at Climate.Missouri.edu/sigwxmo.php is totally serious. It lists the significant weather events in Missouri for the century. If you memorize these facts, you can be the hit of any weather-related conversation. For example, in 1924 three-fourths of the state was covered with a solid sheet of ice for at least half a month. The world record rainfall intensity was in Holt which received 12 inches of rain in 42 minutes. Well, maybe the hit of every conversation is a slight exaggeration.
Some days are perfect for staying home and others for traveling. We need to be safe on the highways and who would be the best for driving advice? The Missouri Highway Patrol (mshp.dps.missouri.gov/MSHPWeb/Publications/Brochures/ documents/SHP-725.pdf) offers driving tips for every season. It also has links and phone numbers to get current road conditions.
Nothing says fun like a Missouri festival. This site at OnlyInYourState.com/missouri/9-winter-festivals-in-mo-that-are-simply-unforgettable includes a list of nine great Missouri winter festivals that mostly take place between Thanksgiving and Christmas—a perfect time to get out and about. Here in Glasgow, we have our Olde Tyme Christmas the weekend after Thanksgiving. There are lots of activities including a lighted nighttime parade. Take a look a DowntownDifferent.com/glasgow/missouri.
MoStateParks.com/page/77676/winter-activities lists activities in some of our parks this winter. You will find everything from eagle watching to making maple sugar. There is plenty to amuse and educate at special events and, of course, there is always camping and hiking.
Enjoy your winter in Missouri. Be safe in your travels on the road and on the internet. If we should cross paths either on the web or perhaps at an ice rink (I’ll just be watching) or at a parade, be sure to say hello. Nothing warms a cold winter evening like a happy greeting from a friend.
J.Y. Miller lives in Glasgow and is a regular contributor to Show-Me Missouri. His e-mail address is jymiller@ShowMeMissouri.net.