Exploring MacDonald’s Bayside Tavern: A Fish Creek Tradition

For 50 years, MacDonald’s Bayside Tavern has been a downtown Fish Creek cornerstone, carrying on a legacy that began over a century ago. Generations of locals and visitors have gathered here—swapping stories, clinking glasses, and making memories. More than a business, Bayside is a tradition, woven into the fabric of the community. With its timewornContinue reading “Exploring MacDonald’s Bayside Tavern: A Fish Creek Tradition”

Ha Ha Tonka Ruins

Wealthy Kansas City businessman Robert Snyder had a dream to construct a European-styled castle right in his beloved Missouri. To this end Snyder purchased 5,000 acres of land, including his very own lake, and began work on the evocative mansion in 1905. The businessman even imported stone masons from Europe to achieve the correct style,Continue reading “Ha Ha Tonka Ruins”

Heaven Hill Distillary

There were big rains during the week we visited the Bourbon Trail in Kentucky. Here we just arrived and had to stop and photograph this old truck carrying 6 barrels of wiskey. Once inside, we signed up for a tour and were on our way. Click on the photo fr more information. Clicke here toContinue reading “Heaven Hill Distillary”

Exploring the Kentucky Bourbon Trail

I am not a Bourbon drinker but had to “do the” Kentucky Burbon Trail recently. I visited three distilleries and stopped by Churchill Downs on the way home. I was in Kentucky after all. Taking the tours, I was able to get interesting photos of the mash vats and rickhouses where they age the bourbon.Continue reading “Exploring the Kentucky Bourbon Trail”

History and Beauty of Forest Park’s Pagoda

Sunrise in Forest Park. Every fall the trees surrounding the Pagoda in front of the Park’s outdoor Municipal Opera turn a bright red providing a stunning backdrop in front of the bandstand. Located on a small island within Pagoda Lake, the original wooden bandstand that existed at this site was built for the grand openingContinue reading “History and Beauty of Forest Park’s Pagoda”

Saint Louis

Watching over Art Hill, Saint Louis keeps an eye on his realm of Forest Park and the City of St. Louis.  At his coronation as king of France, Louis IX bound himself by oath to behave as God’s anointed, as the father of his people and feudal lord of the King of Peace. Other kingsContinue reading “Saint Louis”

Exploring Forest Park: Autumn Colors and Art Hill

The trees framing the St. Louis Art Museum turn a bright red early in the fall. On one of my early morning walks in the park I found the leaves beginning to show their bright colors with a lot of the flowers still in bloom. This is at the foot of what is know asContinue reading “Exploring Forest Park: Autumn Colors and Art Hill”

Forest Park Pagoda

Taking a walk around Forest Park to watch the sunrise and see the fall leaves, I was able to get this photo of the pagoda. This is located on a small island within Pagoda Lake, built for the grand opening of Forest Park in 1876. It has become one of the park’s most photographed structures,Continue reading “Forest Park Pagoda”

Exploring Bond Falls: A Hidden Gem in Michigan’s UP

A side trip from Wisconsin’s Northwoods, brings us to Bond Falls in Michigan’s UP (Upper Peninsula). Bond falls is a tiered flowage that starts out as a set of minor falls ending in this stunning drop.  This scenic waterfall is created by the middle branch of the Ontonagon river as it tumbles over a thickContinue reading “Exploring Bond Falls: A Hidden Gem in Michigan’s UP”

Riverfront Sunset

A nice view of Eads Bridge with downtown St. Louis and the Arch in the background. The Arch signifies St. Louis’ status as Gateway to the West. Many westbound trails came out of the St. Louis area. In addition, many of the supplies, livestock and wagons were purchased here, making it, at one time, theContinue reading “Riverfront Sunset”