Backroad Weekly

Did you know the first national park area to protect a river system is in Missouri?

If you're in the Cape Girardeau area of Southeast Missouri like me, this week's day trip is a long haul, at about a 2.5-hour drive. But holy Ozarks, is it worth every gas station bathroom that you have to brave.

Suddenly, the forest opens into a clearing of ancient volcanic rock that has formed in a cluster of short, blocky columns. The locals call it the Devil's Honeycomb.

Tiptoe away to an ancient place where a cool, clear river spills around giant pink boulders. Then, idle down into the canyon to soak in the shallow, gravel-bottomed wading pools.

Founded in the 1850s, with a current population of only about 130 people, Kimmswick, Missouri, was revived and restored by the 7-UP heiress in the 70s, when she hauled in historic buildings for preservation and vibe.

There's one road in the world that has closed every year, twice a year, for over 50 years, all in the name of snakes.

Ride the rails in 100-year-old passenger cars while you take in a show.

Hey, local day trippers! Obviously, I'm a travel writer and not a singer. But you know who is singing this time of year? Wild elk.

The phrase, "hidden gem" gets thrown around too often in travel writing. It's kind of a pet peeve. But this time, I'll begrudgingly admit that "hidden gem" is a great way to describe Lon Sanders Canyon Conservation Area, in Piedmont, Missouri.

What I thought was a quick lunch stop in Marble Hill, Missouri, turned into an antiquing vortex. I emerged three hours later with disheveled hair and home decor.