Wind Power Comes to Columbia

In journalism school I was taught to carry my camera with me at all times.  We were driving to a family outing when we spotted this wind turbine tucked away behind a dentist office no more than about a quarter mile from our house just off Providence road on the East side:

So, kudos to Dr. Malaker of Sterling Dental Care.  I am not sure how long the wind turbine has been there but we just noticed it this past weekend and we drive in that area often.  However, the unit is rather unobtrusive and not one of the massive monsters we are used to seeing elsewhere in the media.

A Tribute To Lee Mace: A Missouri Show Business Pioneer

In an earlier post I mentioned that I was going to get some pictures of the Lee Mace's Ozark Opry theater and take a dinner cruise with my family on the Tom Sawyer paddle boat.  There was no dinner cruise but I did stop and get some pictures of the closed Lee Mace's theater and here they are:

That is HWY 54 in the background.  The last theater was built on that highway away from the Bagnell dam area. Notice the O is missing in Opry.

From the other side.

Lee Mace was a pioneer who was bringing in crowds and providing weekly live broadcast long before Branson evolved into what it is today.

I have some more pictures of the Bagnell Dam strip, of the paddle boat Tom Sawyer and of the retired, I think,  cruise boat the Captain Larry Don.  There is still a web page for the Captain Larry Don but there are many such ghost sites on the web. The Captain Larry Don is still there but by the looks of things it is no longer an active cruise operation.  

Here is an excellent web page about Lake of the Ozarks history:

http://www.lakehistory.info/

Les Bourgeois Vineyards

Located west of Columbia along the banks of the Missouri River, going south at the Rocheport exit, is Les Bourgeois Vineyard.

Straight ahead you can just see the top of the bistro.

Approaching the A-Frame

A nice evening is to go to the A-frame an hour before sunset, order some wine or whatever else you might want to drink, and just set.  We are bad in this culture about just setting.

In the next few pictures in the background is the Missouri River.

Sunset - the effect is highlighted because I am shooting into the sun.

Shooting the other direction from the previous picture.  In the background is the bridge over I-70

My parents enjoying the evening.  

Sung going down.

St. Louis based musician Raven Wolf.

Time to go.

Worth the trip.  Especially nice when the students are not in town just to cut down a bit on the crowding.  But, if the weather is nice, no matter when, go.

A Trip to New Franklin

I took my parents down to New Franklin early this summer to pick up a boxed meat package from Jennings Meat Packing and Processing.   We did a bit of sight seeing and had lunch at the senior center. About a half hour from Columbia it is a nice day trip and I highly recommend it.

Entering downtown New Franklin

Hometown of Sara Evans

The following two pictures were taken from the same location showing both sides of the downtown street.

The Silver Liners Senior Center

Jennings Meat Packing and processing

Christian Church of New Franklin

The Katy Trail in New Franklin

Street Scene

Small towns in Missouri offer a unique experience and certainly a change of pace.  Go explore and meet people instead of staying at home watching Fox television.  

Why Can't I Comment?

The reason you cannot comment is because of Chinese spammers.  Until I find a way of fixing this the only way  I know to stop their illegal and immoral behavior is to stop all comments altogether.

Heuer's Cafe

Located around 20 miles  north of Columbia, just off HWY 63 along the outer road, is Heuer's Cafe.

This establishment has had some good success over the past few years providing dining, and someplace to go and socialize, where there are not many other options.  It is also about a mile from Pinnacles Youth Park which is just east of Heuer's.

I went there with my daughter and parents before going to watch the sunset at Les Bourgeois Vineyard.

My mother has the distinction of being the only person to ever order, and consume, a cream soda float at Heuer;s.  They were out of root beer but she would not be deterred.  

Parting shots:

Overall it was an enjoyable experience with some atmosphere thrown in.  It is nice to get away from the usual Columbia fare from time to time and this was a nice change.