Providence South Bikeway

The south Providence bikeway, funded by the Federal Highway Administration Non-Motorized Transportation Pilot Program, is near completion. It is a project of Getabout Columbia which advocates alternative modes of transportation with an emphasis on walking and/or biking.

The walkway runs parallel to the west side of South Providence. When completed it will be a beautiful addition to the city, and I am lucky in that I live less than a hundred yards from it - without having to cross a busy South Providence street.

Here is a picture I took  when the project first started, and I was still unsure what it was going to be.  This was even before the signs were put up:

But then things started to take shape.  Keep in mind that construction and landscaping has been on again, and off again, for over a year now.  

 

 Here are some pictures of the project as construction continued:

Now it seems that all that remains is landscaping and fixing the drainage.  I think this is going to be a popular feature here in the neighborhood.  I just wished it stretched all the way to the Mizzou campus, and downtown.

Laws Observatory and the Central Missouri Astronomical Association

Approaching Laws Observatory

Every Wednesday night from 8 - 10 p.m. members of the Central Missouri Astronomical Association volunteer their time to open and host visitors to the Laws Observatory.  I think this is an exceptional public service by the group, and frankly by Mizzou, to make this resource available.  I suggest going closer to 9 p.m. when it gets darker.  Last night, when we visited, the view of the moon was stunning and we were able to view Saturn and some of its moons. Most paid family activities are not this worthwhile.  Highly recommended.

Approaching the Physics Building

If you take the stairs this is the entry to the top floor where the telescope is located.

The ramp leads up to the telescope.

This is a visitors room with displays and other educational material for visitors.

This is a blurry view, handheld shot in the dark, from inside the observatory.  The moon is visible through the roof slot and the telescope itself is to the right of the picture.

Views from the Roof

The following pictures were all taken from the roof.

 

Scenic View

Although you are limited to a small area where you still have some nice views of the campus, and the Columbia, skyline.

This is the kind of attraction you might not otherwise hear about, and is one that works nicely with some other activity since you really only need to spend thirty minutes there.  The key with most activities is not to prolong it to the point that it becomes a chore rather than an adventure.

Here is a map to help you find your way:


View Larger Map

Blackwater Missouri Part I: The Pie Lady

The Picket Fence

Imogene Mersey is 90 years old and will be 91 this March.  She is the owner, and proprietor, of The Picket Fence which is "home of the pie lady."

Imogene Mersey (the pie lady)

 Mrs. Mersey is indeed the pie lady and she offered up a menu of chili, sandwiches, cookies, and more importantly five different kinds of pie the day we were there.

Chocolate Pie

My mom tells me that the hardest part to get right with a pie is the crust and that Mrs. Mersey has mastered the art.  Her crust was perfect.

We traveled to Blackwater as a day trip with all of our family and my parents.  Everyone had something to eat and enjoyed the atmosphere including visiting with the folks that came in for some pie.  The pie is the best seller.

Before the pie: my parents having some chili.

Rachel

 

Where's the pie?

 

I suspect that Mrs. Mersey makes most of her money on pies but that her passion is quilting.  She is a master quilter and her work is beautiful.

 

 

     Blackwater is located approximately 40 miles West of Columbia on Interstate 70.  It is about three miles from the interstate and appears to be about three miles outside of Arrowrock which is another local attraction I will be covering in some detail on these pages.   To check on hours or to order pies for a special event you can call Imogene Mersey at (660) 846-2263.

     This was a wonderful trip.  My kids had a great time - we all had a great time. I will be sharing more things to do in Blackwater with my next post. 

Missouri Wildflowers Nursery

Missouri Wildflowers Nursery is a wonderful place to visit and to select plants that are naturally inclined to do well here in Missouri.  Closed for now, these pictures were taken on the last weekend they were going to be open as we headed into winter.  In a matter of weeks they will reopen for you to make selections for spring planting.

Native Bamboo or switch cane (Arundinaria gigantea tecta) for more pictures if this plant growing in the wild see the Pinnacles Youth Park story.

Here is some information from their web site:

We sell native Missouri perennials, both seeds & plants. Our plants are nursery propagated. Missouri is the genetic origin, so they are best adapted to states east of the Rockies. View our plants online or come visit us. Our website species lists (found under "Plants & Pricing") are the most up-to-date of what is available at anytime. New & out of stock items will appear here first.

 I think native plants are a neat idea and a practical one as well.  We plan on purchasing a good number of specimens from the nursery and moving our yard to more native species over the next couple of years.  In addition to their web site they have a very useful, and user friendly, catalog.


 Contact Information:

9814 Pleasant Hill Road
Jefferson City, MO 65109-9409
(573) 496-3492