It's the last week of May and my older brother Ed rides his Harley motorcycle six hours from Iowa to visit me in Missouri as he has done for at least 30 years. He usually stays 3-4 days and we eat out a lot. We have had many different experiences together and each trip always includes something familiar and something new. I think he likes that many things do not change close to my home in Hickory County. Maybe it helps us to stay young? Probably why we like it here so much after moving here in 1978! For about 20 years there were trips to Branson where my daughter lived and there was quite a variety of exciting and different things to do with her. The past few years she has moved to Springfield which is much closer. I hope he continues to come as I will always find things for us to do that are familiar and also things that are new!
For over 10 years we have enjoyed a walk on the Pomme de Terre River Trail a few miles from my home in Hermitage. I think this gives my brother an opportunity to stretch his legs after the long ride on his bike and then we find a local restaurant to enjoy. There is always a new place to try out as well as the regular places. This trip we came upon a family of geese walking along the same trail.
The next day we usually drive to Lake of the Ozarks and hit some of the familiar places along the Bagnell Dam strip. Ed's favorite place is Richard's Relic Shack where he had a relationship with Richard for many years buying coins. The past couple years old Richard's health turn poor and he has turned the store over to relatives. It is still a unique place to visit and I know Ed got a good deal on a coin again this trip!
One of the new things we had not done before with Ed was visit Willmore Lodge at Bagnell Dam. It was just a short distance down the road from the Bagnell Dam strip and Ed found the local history very interesting. I had been here many times with different groups and by myself stopping on my way home from Jefferson City when I traveled back and forth regularly while working for the state for 30 years. This was also the first time my husband enjoyed it with us.
The building was built for the workers who built Bagnell Dam in the 1930s. Now it is a museum of sorts and a historic place to see.
I especially like walking around the beautifully landscaped grounds around the lodge. Local Master Gardeners have done a lovely job! The lake views are awesome too!
The next day was an early start for a long drive to Eureka Springs, Arkansas. It is located about an hour southwest of Branson, Missouri which had been a regular day trip for us when Ed visited for many years. I promised Ed that this would be worth the drive and we would get back by dark. This is a place dear to Keith's and my heart as we have spent many day trips and overnighters here. This would be a first for Ed and I hope not his last and that he would bring his wife next time. I know they would enjoy it together as much as Keith and I have.
The Palace Bath House is our favorite place to stay overnight and the last time was for our 45th wedding anniversary. I hope we can all stay there together next time. The rooms are awesome and the location is walking distance to all the eclectic shops.
Everywhere is accessible by trolly if one gets tired of walking the steep hills this town was built around. Just park at the trolly station and get a pass that allows you to get off and on all day and return. You never have to wait longer than 15 minutes. There are also guided tours available that we did one time and it was very informative as well as entertaining.
The next stop after we walked the shops was to take the trolly to the Crescent Hotel. Definately worth a few hours of your time and overnight if you like to get spooked as it is one of the top haunted placesin our country!
Within view of the Crescent Hotel and walking distence is St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church. The walk to the Catholic Church through lovely gardens include magnolia trees full of intoxicating scent.
The final day of my brother's visit has been the same event in recent years attending Mid-America Street Rod Nationals Car Show in Springfield where he meets up with friends that he sees at least once a week in his hometown in Iowa. They all belong to at least three different car clubs and go to at least three related events each week. That's a lot of motor-heading! I enjoy spending this time with my brother and also enjoy looking at all the old cars and people-watching. I also like the exercise walking for hours around the fairgrounds where the show takes place.
Ed really likes this truck as he has had a Heating and Air Conditioning business all his adult life.
When the show ends, we meet up my daughter's family at her house. Our granddaughter had to show off her newly decorated rainbow mermaid bedroom! It was also a good time to show off Gizmo, the new calf in the backyard that is bottle-fed because his mama rejected him while bonding with his twim brother instead. Then we all went out to eat at a Japanese Restaurant that was a new experience for Ed, me, and Keith as well as very entertaining!
Early Sunday morning Ed heads back to Iowa and I always make sure I am up to say, "Safe trip and see you again next year if not sooner!"
Memorial Weekend is now complete with the American flag waving and my poppies blooming as my brother helps to make new memories another year!
