And yet . . .

I’ve connected with a number of travel bloggers lately. Oh what wonderful places they have taken me! Thanks to Visit Flyover Country’s suggestion, I recently read a blog - Travel With No Regrets - by All Colores. She reminds us that travel is a privilege. Although her blog has been all over the globe, in the blog she states “Some people can’t even travel locally due to illness, war or a financial fight for survival.” This is so true, and although I have not left the country, I feel privileged that I have been blessed with the opportunities to see several of these United States. And yet . . .



River bluff at Trail of Tears State Park,
Cape Girardeau, Missouri


 My travel regret? From Fairbanks, Alaska, to Clearwater Beach, Florida, my biggest travel regret is not taking the time getting to know my own backyard. But thanks to knowing lots of people, I don’t feel alone in my regret. (Is this an unfortunate statement or just life?) Just the other day, while in Cape Girardeau County, I mentioned Trail of Tears State Park to a woman. I told her how I enjoy seeing the river and its bluffs from the Park’s amazing view. Instead of an affirmation I received a “Really?! I’ve never been there” reply. (Might I add she was not a teen but a ‘seasoned’ woman of about my mid-century age?) And yet . . .



View of the river and bottoms at
Magnolia Hollow Conservation Area,
Ste. Genvieve County, Missouri

This did not catch me by surprise. As the coordinator for the Mississippi River Hills Association (MRHA), I’ve been privileged so see many 'wonders' in these six counties (Yes, there are more than 7 'wonders' in the world!). From the simple beauty of a winding county road to the Mississippi River view at Trail of Tears State Park or Magnolia Hollow Conservation Area in Ste. Genevieve County.

My first visit to Trail of Tears in particular left me in awe. I had been working on the MRHA project for just a few weeks. Letitia ‘Tish’ Johnson, CD of University of Missouri Extension - Ste. Genevieve County, and I were giving a regional tour to a group out of St. Louis, John Grizzell, of Grizzell & Company, who had secured the bid to design the MRHA logo. As us stood overlooking the Mississippi River and its amazing bluffs an eagle majestically floated across the view directly in front of us! The look on John and his guests’ faces was pure delight! Tish and I could not have orchestrated it any better ourselves. And yet. . .

How many of us have stopped for just a few hours in our busy lives to see the view at Trail of Tears State Park? I’ve also had a similar eagle experience at Magnolia Hollow. Both locations are handicap accessible by the way. Magnolia Hollow’s view is about a quarter of a mile from the parking lot; however, the path is nicely paved for wheelchairs, and has a bench at the half-way point for those with difficulty walking. And yet . . . 

Sunset in my own "backyard."



Do you have any ‘And yet. . .’ moments that have left you with travel regrets? Remember you don’t have to travel far to see 'wonders'. I mean, let's face it. Folks from other countries travel here to visit us! What's even better, is the excitement of those locations can be renewed with every visit when we allow ourselves to appreciate even the simplicity around us. What is your favorite wonder to wander to in your backyard?

Terroir in the Mississippi River Hills?

Terroir (pronounced “tare-wahr”) is a French term that can be translated as “the taste of place.” It has been used for centuries in Europe to enhance appreciation for products based on the ecological and cultural characteristics of an area.

So what does terroir have to do with Missouri? In his book, American Terroir, Rowan Jacobsen describes this taste of place as “a partnership between person, plant, and environment to bring something unique into the world. The soil and climate set the conditions; the plants, animals, and fungi respond to them; and then people determine how to bring out the goodness of these foods and drinks.” Our great State of Missouri has several areas, mainly around the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers, that have distinct soil and climate aspects which make the products grown in those areas different from products grown in other areas. Combine the distinct ecological aspects with the heritages of the regions and you have Missouri terroir.

The distinct ecological region of the Mississippi River Hills starts in the Imperial/Kimmswick area, where it travels down river to just south of Cape Girardeau, and stretches west to Farmington. Many of the region’s producer families have been farming the same piece of land for over 150 years. The Mississippi River Hills Association (MRHA) is a group of people who recognize these differences in their products, be it wine, tomatoes, or beef. During the 2011 growing season, you can experience the terroir of the Mississippi River Hills through a series of culinary experiences from dining among the vines of Cave Vineyards to enjoying the company of Miracle and Fiona at Connie Blechle’s Breezy Ridge Alpaca Farm.

The first of the 2011 Culinary Experiences – Summer Breeze – will be enjoyed under the grape vine arbor of Sainte Genevieve Winery, in downtown Sainte Genevieve, on the evening of June 18. Guest Chef Jason Evans and Winemaker Elaine Hoffmeister Mooney will be pairing the wines of Sainte Genevieve Winery with fresh lamb from Meier Horse Shoe Pines of Jackson; artisan goat cheese from Baetje Farms of Bloomsdale; fresh leaf lettuces from Show Me Fresh Farm of Cape Girardeau; and fresh vegetables from County Line Farms of St. Mary. A pre-dinner tasting of wines from The Barrens Winery, Chaumette Winery, Cave Vineyards, Hemman Winery, Tower Rock Winery, and Twin Oaks Winery will also be featured.

Fresh foods and artisan wines equal a great time. Seating is very limited for this event. Please visit the MRHA website at: www.MississippiRiverHills.org for additional information and for a schedule on the remaining 2011 Culinary Experiences.