Spring 2020
After a winter with snow and ice, we welcome the delights of spring. Warm afternoons, cool nights and the green of new grass and reborn trees make life a pleasure. Spring is a perfect time to break free from those housebound winter days and to travel in our great state of Missouri. In order to help you explore, I have searched some internet sites to just visit online or to help plan for IRL travel.
If you like to do things outdoors, you already know about Bass Pro Shops. The self-described “Grandaddy Of All Outdoors Stores” is located in Springfield, with smaller stores scattered across the state. Most features of the stores can be seen at BassPro.com. If you have a favorite outdoor activity, they have something for you. Merchandise—everything from archery to firearms, camping gear, fishing, outdoor cooking, clothing, toys, and more—can be found.
Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium (WondersOfWildlife.org) is located adjacent to the springfield store. This world-class attraction was voted America’s Best Aquarium in a 2018 USA Today poll.
If you don’t want to eat at Springfield’s Bass Pro, you can travel only a few miles south to Lambert’s Cafe (ThrowedRolls.com/lamberts-cafe-ii/) in Ozark. Lambert’s is not just a restaurant; it’s an experience. The original location is in Sikeston and a third location is in Foley, Alabama. I met Norman Lambert in his Sikeston restaurant and made the mistake of saying I was almost full. He held me and motioned to a waiter, saying; “Bring this man some more food!”. You never leave Lambert’s hungry. The servings are large and they have “pass arounds” like fried okra, fried potatoes, black eye peas, macaroni and more. Of course they throw softball-sized rolls to you and offer molasses to put on them. Throw me one, Norm! You can visit IRL anyday except Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
You can visit online anytime, but the rolls are better in person.
My friend, Sam Crowe from Caruthersville, is one of the largest honey producers in the area. If you call him, he answers the phone: “Sam Crowe, have a honey of a day.” Sam does not have a website, but you can google him to get his phone number. You can also have a look at the National Honey Board at Honey.com which includes numerous recipes using honey and information on the health aspects of honey. A map shows the location of honey suppliers and some information about the importance of honey bees. Check it out, and if you get down in the Bootheel, find some Sam Crowe honey. It would be good on a Lambert’s roll.
Photos and descriptions of Missouri four remaining covered bridges are available at OnlyInYourState.com/missouri/covered-bridges-mo/. These bridges were built between 1858 and 1872 and are all that remain of what was once a common feature. You will most certainly want to travel IRL to see these historic treasures in Cape Girardeau, Linn, Jefferson and Monroe Counties.
Missouri in the Spring is a treat to all the senses. Visit these and other sites on your computer, but also get out in the open air and take some road trips. Don’t forget to visit the sites that are close to your home. However you travel, be careful and keep yourself safe. If we should cross paths while browsing camping supplies at Bass Pro or relaxing in the shade of a covered bridge, be sure to say hello. We Missourians like friendly greetings almost as much as we like honey on a hot biscuit.
J.Y. Miller lives in Glasgow and is a regular contributor to Show-Me Missouri. His e-mail address is jymiller@ShowMeMissouri.net.
If you like to do things outdoors, you already know about Bass Pro Shops. The self-described “Grandaddy Of All Outdoors Stores” is located in Springfield, with smaller stores scattered across the state. Most features of the stores can be seen at BassPro.com. If you have a favorite outdoor activity, they have something for you. Merchandise—everything from archery to firearms, camping gear, fishing, outdoor cooking, clothing, toys, and more—can be found.
Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium (WondersOfWildlife.org) is located adjacent to the springfield store. This world-class attraction was voted America’s Best Aquarium in a 2018 USA Today poll.
If you don’t want to eat at Springfield’s Bass Pro, you can travel only a few miles south to Lambert’s Cafe (ThrowedRolls.com/lamberts-cafe-ii/) in Ozark. Lambert’s is not just a restaurant; it’s an experience. The original location is in Sikeston and a third location is in Foley, Alabama. I met Norman Lambert in his Sikeston restaurant and made the mistake of saying I was almost full. He held me and motioned to a waiter, saying; “Bring this man some more food!”. You never leave Lambert’s hungry. The servings are large and they have “pass arounds” like fried okra, fried potatoes, black eye peas, macaroni and more. Of course they throw softball-sized rolls to you and offer molasses to put on them. Throw me one, Norm! You can visit IRL anyday except Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
You can visit online anytime, but the rolls are better in person.
My friend, Sam Crowe from Caruthersville, is one of the largest honey producers in the area. If you call him, he answers the phone: “Sam Crowe, have a honey of a day.” Sam does not have a website, but you can google him to get his phone number. You can also have a look at the National Honey Board at Honey.com which includes numerous recipes using honey and information on the health aspects of honey. A map shows the location of honey suppliers and some information about the importance of honey bees. Check it out, and if you get down in the Bootheel, find some Sam Crowe honey. It would be good on a Lambert’s roll.
Photos and descriptions of Missouri four remaining covered bridges are available at OnlyInYourState.com/missouri/covered-bridges-mo/. These bridges were built between 1858 and 1872 and are all that remain of what was once a common feature. You will most certainly want to travel IRL to see these historic treasures in Cape Girardeau, Linn, Jefferson and Monroe Counties.
Missouri in the Spring is a treat to all the senses. Visit these and other sites on your computer, but also get out in the open air and take some road trips. Don’t forget to visit the sites that are close to your home. However you travel, be careful and keep yourself safe. If we should cross paths while browsing camping supplies at Bass Pro or relaxing in the shade of a covered bridge, be sure to say hello. We Missourians like friendly greetings almost as much as we like honey on a hot biscuit.
J.Y. Miller lives in Glasgow and is a regular contributor to Show-Me Missouri. His e-mail address is jymiller@ShowMeMissouri.net.