Fall Road Trip

The view to the Southeast from Trail of Tears State Park.

If I had to pick a favorite season, it just might be Autumn. There is something magical about this time of year when the leaves change color. It makes me want to be out in the woods feeling the crisp afternoon air on my skin while walking through filtered sunlight. The forest, once dense and deeply shaded in summer, becomes aglow with fiery reds and oranges and golden yellow hues. It is like walking through an old photograph.

Fall has always been a particularly nostalgic time of year for me. Perhaps the light and cool afternoons, coupled with the reality of a season set on the brink of the icy stillness of Winter, remind me of the temporal nature of life. Change is inevitable, just like the trees remind us, and what was once a reality is now long past. I have so many vivid memories of Autumn afternoons and they all walk alongside me in the woods in the soft, gentle light of Fall. This weekend I decided to make a trip across the Mississippi to the see the St. Louis Symphony and continue South along the river to Cape Girardeau. I had no particular agenda. Just a scenic drive on a lazy Fall morning.

First on my itinerary was the orchestra concert and a night in town courtesy of Airbnb, the website where you can rent a room for a night in somebody's house. Prices range from $250 (or more) down to the more modest sums of $25 per night. It can be a range of options including shared rooms, private rooms, a tent in someone's living room (yes, a tent), or entire houses. Being adventurous and thrifty I chose a room for $30 per night that came with a bed, couch, drumset, and a cat to sit in my suitcase.

For a mere $30 per night "Hot Wings" the cat will sit inside of your luggage.

The next day I awoke early and hit the road after coffee and donuts, making my way along the river to Trail of Tears State Park, just north of Cape Girardeau. The park afforded breathtaking views of the river, some history about the Trail of Tears, and a nice campground which I will hopefully be able to check out at some point in the near future.

Trail of Tears State Park is a "Treasure" of the Great River Road.

The Mississippi River in the distance, through the trees.

The view to the North from the overlook at Trail of Tears State Park.

After a short hike and some scenic views, I drove the remaining 11 miles to Cape Girardeau. Once I arrived I had lunch, walked along the historic main street (which has an equal number of bars and antique stores), saw some historic buildings, and toured the first Catholic church built in town.

The catfish poboy at Broussards Cajun Cuisine.

The restored second iteration of the first Catholic church in town. The first was destroyed by fire twelve years after it was constructed.

Up the steps to the courthouse.

Marks on the levee indicating high water during floods. Note the two highest have occurred since construction of levees amid river management efforts by the Corps of Engineers. 

The view to the South and the bridge across the river to Illinois.

Fall colors, check. Time in the woods, check. Getting out of town for an evening, check. 

It was a good weekend and a nice break from routine.