Prost!

Hello, Saturday! Heaven came in the form of Oktoberfest in gorgeous Hermann, Missouri today... 

Off the beaten path in Innsbrook...

In the continued Nenonen pursuit for a little place of our own tucked in the woods, I had the pleasure of touring rustic a-frame chalets in the lovely Innsbrook Resort today.

So quiet, so peaceful, so lovely...

In a cabin in the woods...

I slipped outside of the city for a couple of days of quiet reflection, figuratively and quite literally off the lake outside of my cabin. Hello, Thursday...

... had to share.🌲

A weekend in Hannibal, Missouri...

The Missouri State Wrestling Districts for my son's team took us to one of my favorite sleepy ol' river towns last weekend...

Charming Hannibal, it has been too long! From the gorgeous river view to the lovely late 19th century architecture... a peek at the fun:

Just For fun: Decking our halls.

The Nenonens made our annual pilgrimage to Meert's Tree Farm for a lovely Norway Spruce today. One of my favorite family traditions!  A teeny peek at the fun...

Learn more about the farm HERE at my previous post. 

See my other Hidden Gems HERE.

Hidden Gem: Meert's Cut-Your-Own Tree Farm in Festus

We always cut down our own Christmas tree...

I grew up with the tradition and it is now my most cherished December activity with my family. For the Nenonens, a visit to the tree farm officially kicks off the holiday season!

Over 17+ years of marriage, Steve and I have visited almost EVERY tree farm within a 2 hour radius of St. Louis, I kid you not. That being said, we have never found a farm that we felt compelled to revisit year after year. Often times, area farms boast WAY overpriced trees with little variety and overwhelming crowds. In addition, they are often located in remote rural areas with roads difficult to navigate in less than ideal weather.

In 2009, we found the perfect tree farm per the recommendation of a friend...

... and now return every year.   

Meert's Tree Farm and Nursery is located in Festus, approximately 1 hour outside of St. Louis off of Highway 55. It boasts a lovely setting, an excellent layout, timely shuttles to the fields, a cute little shop, holiday goodies like hot cocoa, custom wreaths and greenery, and excellent tree variety. 

I would say that the shaping of the trees is perhaps not as pristine as other area farms we have visited, which can equate to a slightly longer search for "the one". That being said, they offer far more types of trees to cut fresh than the traditional pine.  In fact, we found the perfect spruce for only $7/linear foot. It is full, lush, and smells AMAZING in our living room!  NOTE: if searching for a very LARGE tree- THIS IS THE PLACE!  Their fields made me dream of a room with vaulted ceilings.

A peek at the 2014 fun...

You can also see a fun little video of our day HERE.

The older the boys get (now in 7th and 10th grade), the more I grasp on tightly to our annual holiday traditions.  If seeking holiday fun, I highly recommend a visit to Meert's! Wonderful day, friendly people.

In addition, due to the Highway 55 location,  it only makes sense to hit Historic Kimmswick on the way home. We always stop and stroll through all of the adorable holiday shops in Kimmswick after lunch at the famous Blue Owl- home of the famous mile-high levee pie.

NITTY GRITTY:

Meert's Tree Farm and Nursery
4560 Dry Fork Rd, Festus, MO 63028  
636.931.3901

Open Daily from 9-4

Web: http://albesm.com/ 
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Meert-Tree-Farm/208775665860518

See my other "Hidden Gems" HERE.

St. Louis Weekend Happening: October 24-26

Kimmswick Apple Butter Festival 

October 25-26, 2014
10am-5pm

This festival is one NOT to miss!  In fact, Steve and I have taken the boys to this annual fall festival since they were babies.   Drawing almost 100,000 people per year and less than 30 minutes from St. Louis, escape to Kimmswick for casual day of Fall fun, including crafts, holiday shopping, pumpkin carving, live entertainment, food, drink, and more.

In addition, watch the Kimmswick Historical Society make fresh apple butter in front of your eyes and purchase a fresh jar.

Festival is FREE, though parking is $5.00


WEB: http://www.missourimarketplace.net/applebutterfestival.html 
FACEBOOK:  https://www.facebook.com/applebutterfestival 

Halloween in the Central West End 

October 25, 2014
11am-12am

Set in the vibrant cosmopolitan Central West End with a backdrop of tree-lined streets and stately turn of the century mansions, the annual CWE Halloween is the can’t miss celebration of the season. Festivities kick-off with family fun daytime activities and as the sun sets, the party continues with an adults only bash…the Adult Costume Contest and Party-legendary for its elaborate, complex and outrageous costumes.

CWE Halloween is open to the public and free to attend. Adults interested in participating in the Adult Costume Contest are required to pay a nominal entry fee

WEB:  http://www.thecwe.org/events/halloween-in-the-cwe-2/

Oktoberfest in Hermann 

October 25-26, 2014
Times and activities vary

Less than an hour from St. Louis, Hermann celebrates its German heritage with four weekends of German music, dancing and food, all set against a backdrop of glorious fall color. This is your last weekend to enjoy the fun!

HERE is the full weekend calender!

Lemp Mansion Halloween Bash

October 25, 2014
8pm-12:30am

The Lemp Mansion, one of the most haunted mansions in the country, is home to St. Louis’s favorite Halloween party. This is the place for people who like their Halloween as spooky and macabre as possible. Dress up in your most creative costume and mix with Lemp’s authentic ghosts and poltergeists for a rowdy bash filled with food, music and tasty adult beverages. The $55 admission price includes multiple buffets spread throughout the rooms of the house, live music by several top local bands, an open bar and costume contests with cash prizes.

$60/Advance; $65/ at Door
Reservations Required, 314-664-8024

3322 Demenil Place
St. Louis, MO 63118
(314) 664-8024

WEB:  http://www.lempmansion.com/bash.htm

The historic architectural eye candy of the Village of Elsah...

In the Midwest, we have been incredibly blessed with gorgeous, mild temperatures- a rarity during the hind end of summer. My girlfriend and I took advantage last week by playing hooky, dropping the top...

...and heading over to the scenic River Road for an afternoon of fun in the sun.

Note:  If you have never enjoyed The Loading Dock in Grafton, please visit before the weather cools!  This fun outdoor eatery boasts amazing river views, live music, and a tropical vacation vibe!

Being the historic house lover that I am, a day trip to Alton/Grafton is never complete without a quick drive through the Village of Elsah.  Elsah is located on the East Bluff of the Mississippi River, just 11 miles West of Alton on the way to Grafton.  This 19th century river village, population of less than 700, was founded in 1853 by a prominent Illinois politician by the name of James Semple.  Mr. Semple owned a rock quarry and offered a free building lot to anyone who agreed to utilize remnant stone from his quarry.  The result was a cluster of various 19th century architectural styles and influence, utilizing the stone.

150 years later, not much has changed there.  A true time capsule- phenomenal.  A drive through the Village of Elsah is an interesting journey back in time and a glorious glimpse at pre-Civil War life on the Mighty Mississippi. 

Here is my teeny peek of what you can expect to encounter should you decide to venture there...

Note: the video above of the properties of Elsah does not display on the mobile version of my blog. It must be enjoyed on a computer or tablet. 

Simply, the beauty of Elsah paired with the sunset over the Mississippi...

... A winning combination if seeking a change of scenery, less than 20 minutes from St. Louis!  Consider it. 

HERE are some of my past adventures in the Alton/Grafton area.

A weekend in Hannibal, MO and the Rockcliffe Mansion...

Approximately 100 miles northwest of St. Louis sits an old river town that dates back to 1819...

 

Nestled on the banks of the Mississippi River...

...Hannibal, Missouri oozes history and old-world charm.  

 

Most famously known as the hometown of Samuel L. Clemons (aka Mark Twain) and the inspiration for his Tom Sawyer books,  Hannibal is a fascinating peek into the small town magic that inspired the author's literary treasures.  

As I hadn't been to Hannibal since I was a child (and Steve and the boys had never been)... we snuck away for a short Father's Day stay.  I couldn't wait to share our adventure with the blog!

 

Simply, Hannibal is the ideal place to enjoy a slower pace of life and unspoiled historical architecture...

 

You can walk through the childhood home of a literary genius ...
 

 

... and partake in the scenery

...and adventures

... that inspired him to write the magical tales that have captured the imagination of readers for 100+ years!  

The most compelling part of our Hannibal visit for me, however, as a true lover of history and historical architecture?
 

Our sleeping arrangements!  

 

Built between 1898 and 1900 in the Georgia Revival style by a wealthy Scottish lumber tycoon for his wife and 4 daughters, high on the bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River...

 

 

The Rockcliffe Mansion boasts almost 14,000 square feet on 4+ acres including 30 rooms, 10 ornate fireplaces, Tiffany glass galore, and an honored spot on the National Register of Historic places.  St. Louisans may also want to note that it was designed by Barnett, Haynes, and Barnett, of St. Louis, who also designed the Missouri Governor's Mansion, the Basilica, and numerous other turn-of-the-century mansions in the Central West End.

 

The most interesting aspect of the mansion however?  It's story!  After the owner, John J. Cruikshank...

 

...passed away in the mansion in 1924, his family boarded it up and moved NEXT DOOR- never to return.  The mansion sat vacant and abandoned, fully furnished and in its original state, for FORTY THREE YEARS.

 

Over those 4 decades, the mansion became known as the haunted house on the hill and a place of urban legend and truth-or-dare games for local children.  As a result of vandalism (broken windows) and ZERO upkeep... the dilapidated property was scheduled to be bulldozed in 1968- furniture, Tiffany windows, and all.  Just 2 weeks before being razed, the structure was rescued by 3 local families that pooled their resources.  When the new owners entered and began the tedious restoration process, they not only found the original furnishings and architectural goodies in tact... books were on the bookshelves, clothing was in the closets, toiletries were in the bathrooms.  The bulk of those items remain in place today.

 

Over the years, the property has passed hands numerous times.  The current owner purchased the mansion in 2010 after the former owner filed bankruptcy.  

 

The Rockcliffe Mansion now...

 

Different exterior views...

 

Porch overlooking the 4 acre lot with a view of the river and all of Hannibal...

 

 

 

Miraculously, minus an excessive amount of grime and some water damage, the interior of the property (and the bulk of its features/furnishings/wallpaper/plaster/Tiffany stained glass) remained in tact!  The exterior of the property, however, suffered greatly from the years of neglect and is still in need of extensive exterior renovation today...

 

 

I am not going to lie, when we got out of the car with our luggage and saw the state of disrepair on the exterior of the mansion... my entire family looked at me like I was crazy for making overnight reservations there.  Rockcliffe, however, epitomizes the age old motto "Don't judge a book by its cover". 

 

When we entered...

 

 ...our jaws dropped.

 

Simply, the Rockcliffe Mansion is SO mammoth, so beautiful, so original, so impressive... there truly are no words to describe it.  My photos do not do it justice.  This post does not do it justice.  Here is a peek at a few dozen of the 100+ photos that I took there...

 

 

 

Despite the numerous online paranormal investigations of the mansion, the ghost rumors we heard all day in town when people learned where we were staying, and our somewhat spooky venture downstairs in the dark to see if Mr.Cruikshank's eyes in his portrait DO indeed follow you as rumored ...

 

 

...the sleep in the mansion was quiet, comfortable, and peaceful.

 

The mansion's owner and host, Juan, was incredibly friendly, informative, and gracious...

 

For me, having the opportunity to stay in a house filled with so much history and beauty was a dream.  Even if you don't sleep at the Rockcliffe Mansion, you must at least tour it if you ever find yourself in Hannibal!  Trust me, it is unbelievable. 

 

Prior to heading back to St. Louis, we headed up to the historical Riverside cemetery to bid adieu to our real hosts...

The Cruikshank family, who is buried high atop the bluffs of the Mississippi River.

 

If seeking a day or weekend trip from St. Louis, consider Hannibal!  Fun adventure with a little something for all ages.

 

Nitty Gritty...

 

Hannibal Department of Tourism

Web: http://www.visithannibal.com/en/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VisitHannibal?fref=ts

Rockcliffe Mansion

Web: https://rockcliffemansion.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RockcliffeMansion

For a great place to dine, visit eclectic Labinnah (Hannibal backwards) on North 5th Street...

Make reservations, as the establishment is small with only 28 seats.

Connect with Labinnah on Facebook here:  https://www.facebook.com/LaBinnahBistro?fref=ts