Midwest Wanderer Newsletter – July 15, 2022

Connie Attractions & Events, Campgrounds, Destinations, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Roadside Attraction July 17, 2022April 4, 2023Black Hawk statue, Lowden State Park, Mark Twain Birthplace, Midwest Wanderer Newsletter, Pierogi Fest 0 Comment

I felt guilty, sitting in a chair outside our travel trailer, squandering time. I should be doing something, but what? After a late lunch, we weren’t ready for dinner. Go for a walk? Too wiped out from a busy day. I forgot to pack reading material, and was tired of looking at my phone. Skip joined me, and we both just sat, watching the squirrels scamper up and down trees and robins bob along the ground. Then, a red-headed woodpecker swooped in and landed on a tree trunk just twenty feet or so from where we sat.

Mark Twain Birthplace State Historic Site: 10 Fascinating Facts

Connie Attractions & Events, Destinations, Missouri July 12, 2022July 12, 2022Florida MO, Mark Twain, Mark Twain Birthplace, Mark Twain Birthplace MO 0 Comment

When you think of Mark Twain’s home, Hannibal, Missouri, comes to mind. It’s true, he grew up in Hannibal, starting at age four. But he was born about 40 miles southwest of Hannibal, in Florida, Missouri. Today, the preserved two-room cabin where the writer was born is on display at the Mark Twain Birthplace State Historic Site, near Florida.

The home was moved to its current location in 1930. Years later, a building was erected around the cabin to protect and preserve it. The Mark Twain Birthplace State Historic Site also includes artifacts from the author’s life, and a wealth of information about him.

Here are ten fascinating facts about Mark Twain’s life that we learned during our visit to the state historic site.

Midwest Zoo Holiday Lights Events

Connie Attractions & Events, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, North Dakota, Ohio, Wisconsin December 1, 2021December 14, 2023Brookfield Zoo Holiday Magic, Christmas at the Zoo, Cincinnati Zoo, Columbus Zoo, Festival of Lights, Holiday lights, Indianapolis Zoo, Lincoln Park Zoo Lights, saint louis zoo, St. Louis Zoo, wild lights, zoo holiday lights, zoo lights 0 Comment

Christmas festivals at zoos have become huge holiday attractions. In the Midwest alone, at least eighteen zoos celebrate with holiday lights, carols, animal shows, and even ice skating rinks. Brookfield Zoo, Chicago’s oldest holiday zoo event, is celebrating its 42nd year in 2023. But the very first zoo holiday lights event in the nation was Indianapolis Zoo’s Christmas at the Zoo, which dates back to 1967!

Many other zoos have hopped aboard the holiday festival train over the years. Here are a few highlights of eighteen Midwest zoo holiday lights events for 2023, listed by state:

Exploring Byways and Trails

Connie Attractions & Events, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Podcast, Road Trips, Wisconsin August 30, 2018August 30, 2018byways, chocolate trail, Great River Road, Iowa Antique Trail, Lincoln Highway, National road, Richmond Indiana, road trips, Route 66 2 Comments

In this podcast, we chat about exploring byways and trails. If you’re a regular Midwest Wanderer reader, you know we do a lot of road trips. Some of our favorite trips are along scenic or historic byways. And then there are trails. What’s the difference? You’ll find out in this podcast.

Freedom Rock Tour: A Tribute to Veterans

Connie Attractions & Events, Iowa, Missouri May 28, 2018May 24, 2018Bubba Sorensen, Freedom Rock, Freedom Rock Iowa, Freedom Rock Pulaski County, Freedom Rock Trail, Freedom Rock Winnebago County, Freedom Rocks in Iowa, Ray Sorensen 2 Comments

Iowa artist Ray “Bubba” Sorensen is on a mission to paint a mural honoring the military on a rock in every Iowa county and two in every state. We saw our first Freedom Rock last year in Pulaski County, Missouri, and this spring Skip stumbled across another one in Lake Mills, Iowa.

Why Alton is Perfect for Eagle Watching

Connie Attractions & Events, Illinois, Missouri January 16, 2018January 26, 2018Bald Eagles, Eagle Watching in Alton, Eagles, Eagles on the Mississippi, Visit Alton, Where to see Eagles in Illinois 4 Comments

As the weather turns cold, American Bald Eagles migrate from Canada south, down the Mississippi Flyway. They winter near open water, in search of fresh food. Humans, in turn, flock to where the eagles are, hoping to get a glimpse—or a great camera shot—of the majestic U.S. national bird. Alton, Illinois, is the perfect place for eagle watching. Here’s why:

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