Spring 2012

The winter has been mild and now we look forward to spring, which symbolizes new beginnings and new life. It is a perfect season to get out and see new things in our great state of Missouri. We love to travel IRL (In Real Life), but virtual travel can be a excellent way to enjoy the world when hitting the road just isn’t possible, and it’s a perfect way to plan future trips.

BigBoysFamilyRestaurant.com/BigBoysRestaurant is in an early state of development, but their restaurant, itself, is serving all you can eat fried chicken dinners at Wright City. The food and staff are very much like the old Big Boy’s that many remember. In fact, the owner was a waitress in the original that was opened in 1924. She worked there much later as a teenager.

Hunters among our readers may be looking forward to spring turkey hunting, and the Missouri Department of Conservation provides plenty of information about regulations and safety at
MDC.mo.gov/hunting-trapping/turkey/spring-turkey-hunting. The site includes information about a great wild game cookbook and a link to a great collection of wildlife photos.

Missouri has many caves and springs, and there is a common fascination with these natural features. You can learn the history of these natural landmarks at
www.mospeleo.org/ozark_caving/springs/jspring.html. The page includes some great photos and interesting facts and safety tips.

Sports and the University of Missouri are always hot items for Missouri residents. Living fairly close to Columbia, we are often involved in the traffic from MU athletic events. My son is an ardent MU fan and a sports fan in general. Recently, on a weekend visit with his family, I was able to watch my grandsons play hockey and basketball. We also watched the Tigers defeat Kansas in basketball on television. Schedules for all MU sports teams, as well as athletic information, ticket prices, rules for attendance, parking suggestions and dining recommendations can be found at the official university website at
www.Missouri.edu. Of course, the page also has MU calendars, academic information, and much more.

Spring and summer sports for some of us include competitive cooking. The Kansas City Barbeque Society’s website at
www.kcbs.us has a wealth of information about barbeque, including a schedule of contests. You can find my name on the list of certified judges and read the certified judge’s oath in which contest judges promise to strengthen and preserve “…truth, justice, the American way of life, and excellence in barbeque”. If you visit Glasgow’s “Smokin’ On the River” contest, look me up to say hello. I’ll be there helping with the contest. Information on the Glasgow cookoff can be found at www.jymiller.net/zzglasgowBBQ.html.

Missouri-vacations.com promotes the Arcadia Valley and Black River Recreation Area. You can learn about the Mark Twain National Forest, campgrounds, music festivals and more. While on the page, don’t miss the great video. You can also download a free vacation travel guide.

Wherever you travel this spring, be careful and enjoy life. Perhaps you and I will cross paths either IRL or on the internet. I might be eating chicken at a restaurant or judging barbeque at a KCBS contest.