It was a sunny and beautiful day with the trees turning since it is fall here in the foothills of the Ozarks in October.  We headed out and ate breakfast at the Crackerbarrel in Sullivan, one of our favorite eateries when we travel.

Our first stop was at Dickerson’s Park Zoo in Springfield.  There was a gentleman whose name escapes me at the moment who was a Falconer. I had never heard of that term before, but as he explained, a Falconer is one who loves birds and is interested in their conservation and that there are laws and much time invested to be a Falconer, with different levels of expertise. That is a very simplified explanation I am sure. He was working with a Peregrine Falcon and had her on a lead (not the proper term) while he allowed her to fly in the building. We really enjoyed our conversation with this gentleman and decided not to stay to see the zoo and save it for another trip as our real destination was Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield in Battlefield, MO which is just outside Springfield on W Farm Road 182 off Highways 360 and 60.

The park rangers at the Visitor Center were very nice and helpful. Did I mention that Wilson Creek National Battlefield is part of the National Park system? That means you can purchase a pass so you can enter all of the national parks at as special price.

Missouri ranks third in the number of civil war battles fought.  The battle fought at Wilson’s Creek was the second major battle of the civil war. General Lyon was the first union General and first General killed in the civil war.

Interesting places to visit at the Battlefield are:

 Gibson’s Mill, where Missouri State guard General James Rains headquartered his 2500 man division and where General Nathaniel Lyon’s dawn attack drove Rain’s division south down the creek.

Ray House and Cornfield, the Ray House was a Confederate field hospital for the battle. There is a small stone springhouse which was their only source of water.

Pulaski Arkansas Battery and Price’s Headquarters,  where cannon opened fire on Bloody Hill. Major General Sterling Price set up headquarters in the William Edwards home.

Sigel’s Second Position, where Colonel Franz Sigel’s Union artillery heard Lyon’s attack and they opened fire on the 1800 Southern calvary camped in the field.

Sigel’s Final Position, where Sigel halted his advance on this hillside, forming a line of battle across the Wire Road. Here, Confederate troops that he mistook for a Federal regiment attacked and defeated him. This costly error turned the battle’s tide in favor of the Confederates.

Guibor’s Battery,  where Captain Henry Guibor positioned his battery with the Confederate line of battle and dueled with Union artillery on the crest of Bloody Hill.

Bloody Hill, where over 1700 Union and Confederate soldiers were killed or wounded.

Historic Overlook, where the battle’s first shots were fired around 5 am.

The Park closed at 5 and we left as they closed without visiting the Museum which we will visit on another trip. We drove back to the St Louis area, getting home around 9 pm. It was a great day and a great outing.

This weekend I visited Black Madonna Shrine in Eureka, Missouri. I have visited the shrine before, but it had been many years since my last visit. I had forgotten how peaceful a space it is, how it is a great place to rejuvenate your spirit.

Black Madonna Shrine has much history. In 1927 a group of Franciscan Brothers emigrated from Poland. Brother Bronislaus was one of them. In his native Poland, Mary is revered as the Queen of Peace and Mercy.

In 1937 Brother Bronislaus cleared thickly wooded land, built a cedar wood chapel and placed a painting of Our Lady above the altar. The chapel became a center of religious devotion with numerous pilgrimages and prayer services.

There are several places on the walking tour. The grottos are constructed of native Missouri Tiff Rock, which came fro Old Mines, MO, a mining community close to Potosi, about 30 miles southwest of the shrine.  All of the grottos are constructed of Tiff Rock and were constructed by Brother Bronislaus. ince there were no tools at the time they were constructed, it was all done without the aid of the tools we have available today.

There is a bridge where one can view Crucifixion Gethsemane Grotto easily, St Francis Grotto with a plaque of his Peace Prayer, St Joseph Grotto with flowers that were once the light fixtures for the old monastery, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Grotto, the Mount of Olives Gethsemane Grotto, Our Lady of Sorrows Grotto which was the first grotto built, Assumption Hill Grotto  representing the largest grotto and former entrance to the Way of the Cross, and Nativity Grotto, the only natural grotto on the property.  There are also Stations of the Cross.

Masses are held daily at 7 am.  Donations may be made for lighting small vigil candles. There is also a gift shop by the outdoor area where masses are held.

Rhonda is a spiritual explorer who loves to travel. You may contact Rhonda by emailing her at Rhonda@ModernDaySpiritualJourney.com.

Performance at the Renaissance Fair

 A friend and I attended the Renaissance Festival in Kansas City on Labor Day. Since we live in the St Louis area, it was an easy day trip of around 4 ½ hours each way.

Three Faeries having fun

We heard about the fair when we attended the St Louis Renaissance Festival in Wentzville last year.

Blue people as in "Avatar"

It was a great time with many things to do and see. There were stage acts, musicians, events and shows. There were many actors and attendees dressed in Renaissance period clothing as well as those dressed as Faeries, blue people from the popular movie “Avatar”, witches, and much more.

Leper Girl

There were also rides and games for children, as well as many booths with food, fascinating items for sale, including period clothing.

Baby dragon

The festival is in its 34^th season and runs from September 4^th – October 17^th in 2010.

If you are looking for a day or weekend getaway, this event is great! You will not want to miss this festival!

From the St Louis area, take Highway 70 West through Kansas City to Bonner Springs at the Sandstone Amphitheatre exit and follow the signs and banners.

At  Jerome we went only a short distance to find Larry Baggett’s Trail of Tears. The Trail of Tears features some very unusual stone work and archways. Larry’s place (currently not open) honors the 1837-1838 forced migration of the  Cherokee Indians and their painful journey along the Trail of Tears from the southeast United States into Oklahoma. The actual path of the Trail of Tears crosses the property, where Larry had built a stone wall. He would often be awakened at night by knocks on his door. A spirit visited Larry and asked him to build stairs so the Cherokee Spirits could get over the wall. Once Larry built the stairs at the wall, the knocking stopped. Larry passed away in 2003.

Highway 44 west of St Louis offers many other interesting sights within a short distance. Sections of Highway 66 parallel Highway 44 in many different areas. A great book is Images of 66 by David Wickline.

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Rhonda is a real estate professional in the St Louis area who has been chosen by St Louis Magazine for their 5 Star Program for Best in Client Satisfaction for 3 years in a row. She also has a website called ModernDaySpiritualJourney.com which has alternative methods of health and many books to help one achieve balance in their life.

National Shrine of Our Lady of Snows

Yesterday I visited The National Shrine of Our Lady of Snows. While I was raised Catholic and have been to the Shrine many times throughout the years, it has become more meaningful to me in recent years.

The Shrine is a great place to just be. With over 200 acres that have been beautifully landscaped in a tranquil and peaceful setting, it is a great place to be in nature and be spiritually replenished.

The Grotto is my very favorite place to visit and I always light a candle and set an intention while I am there. Setting an intention for what we want in our lives is so important. It is a prayer in the highest form.

While any one can visit the Shrine and just be, they have many activities as well. There are a wide variety of services and things to do including a church with masses at regular times, gardens, an amphitheatre, gift shop with lots of great items and a restaurant  with delicious food.  There is also a conference center for wedding receptions and business meetings, a hotel, and a retirement living area. The Shrine is run by the Missionary Oblates and is a great place for anyone wanting to get away from the hussle and bussle of life for a few hours.  

For more information on The National Shrine of Our Lady of Snows, visit their website at http://www.snows.org/

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Should you purchase items from my site, ModernDaySpiritualJourney.com I will receive a small stipend, which helps maintain my website. You can click on particular books, links or the Amazon link to purchase books not on my site and other items or you can click on the Endless Link to purchase 800 brand items at great prices. 

If you feel I can assist you on your journey and would like to contact me, please feel free to email me at Rhonda@ModernDaySpiritualJourney.com.

I have been a real estate professional in the St Louis area for the past nine years and have been chosen by St Louis Magazine as a “5 Star Best in Client Satisfaction” agent for the past three years and am licensed with Keller Williams Southwest in St Louis, MO. I provide a high level of service and my clients become my friends. Should you wish to use my services or need a referral for the area you live in, please feel free to email me Rhonda@RhondaBrackett.com.

The Missouri Botanical Garden is a favorite landmark in St Louis and a great getaway place for millions in St Louis. Founded in 1859, it is the nation’s oldest botanical garden in continuous operation and is also a National Historic Landmark.

The Garden is an as well as an oasis in the city of St. Louis and  offers 79 acres of beautiful horticultural display, including a Japanese strolling garden, Henry Shaw’s original 1850 estate home is on the property. There is a restaurant and gift shop as well as events available to the public.

Music at Missouri Botanical Garden

The Whitaker Music Festival, which runs a few weeks during the summer and features different style bands.A free event, it attracts many local visitors.  Recently when I visited, featured was a FolknBluesGrass, band, a unique style of American roots music with a modern feel. Visitors bring lawn chairs, blankets and  picnic baskets to enjoy the evening while they listen to music.

Music at Missouri Botanical Garden

You can purchase items  Amazon link and up to 800 brand items on the Endless Link at great prices.  

Rhonda loves to travel and has been a real estate professional in the St Louis area for the past nine years and have been chosen by St Louis Magazine as a “5 Star Best in Client Satisfaction” agent for the past three years and am licensed with Keller Williams Southwest in St Louis, MO. I provide a high level of service and my clients become my friends. Should you wish to use my services or need a referral for the area you live in, please feel free to email me Rhonda@RhondaBrackett.com.

Big Brutus

New technology in the early 1960’s made surface mining economical. The Pittsburg and Midway Coal Mining Company purchased Big Brutus from the Bucyrus Erie Company in 1962 for $6.5 million.

Big Brutus' scoop

Big Brutus did not dig coal. The huge bucket removed the dirt and rocks covering the coal seams. In 1974, it was silenced, It was not longer cost effective to operate “Big Brutus”. The electric bill for the last month of operation was $27,000. Now he is retired like an old ship resting in it’s harbor. P & M donated 10,000 acres and “Big Brutus” to the Kansas City Department of Wildlife and Parks.

Inside Big Brutus

The American Society of Mechanical Engineers designated “Big Brutus” a Regional Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark.

He was used in the West Mineral area until the mines were shut down because it was determined that the coal had too much sulphur in it.  “Big Brutus” is 16 stories high and weights 11 million pounds. For more information on Big Brutus, you can go to http://www.bigbrutus.org/.

While Big Brutus was our destination, we also stopped in Picher Kansas, which was a lead mining community. Due to concerns with lead contamination,  the town is now a ghost town.

Billboard in Picher

Water tower at Picher Kansas

We also stopped to see a large rocking chair, which was located 5 miles west of Cuba off Highway ZZ. The shop next door is a small Mom and Pop shop that also has an archery range and taxidermy. An interesting combination to be sure.

Large rocking chair off highway ZZ

Mom and Pop shop off highway ZZ

There were many other interesting places to visit along Highway 44 between St Louis and Kansas City, most of which we will need to save for another day.

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 Feel free to check out  Amazon and Endless  for 1000’s of items including 800 brand items of everything you can imagine at great prices. 

If you are a spirit seeker like me, please visit my website, ModernDaySpiritualJourney.com.  If you feel I can assist you on your journey or you would like to contact me, please feel free to email me at Rhonda@ModernDaySpiritualJourney.com.

I have been a real estate professional in the St Louis area for the past nine years and have been chosen by St Louis Magazine as a “5 Star Best in Client Satisfaction” agent for the past three years and am licensed with Keller Williams Southwest in St Louis, MO. I provide a high level of service and my clients become my friends. Should you wish to use my services or need a referral for the area you live in, please feel free to email me Rhonda@RhondaBrackett.com.

The History Museum

Sometimes you have some time and a friend to join you and you just “Seize The Moment”.

It was a pleasant summer day in St Louis. Rich, who is a good friend, and I took Metro Link to Forest Park where the Museum of History is. Forest Park is a wonderful park with trees, walking trails, St Louis Art Museum, The St Louis Zoo, the Boat House Restaurant, and is home of the Muny Opera.

The building which houses the Museum of History was built in 1904 for the World’s Fair. There were several exhibitions on display, the 1904 World’s Fair, about flying, and about Charles Lindbergh being a couple of them. We only made it through two exhibits and plan to return another day.

What a great afternoon, close to home, and at little cost. The only cost was to ride Metro Link, which was cheaper than driving. With gas prices rising, it was a great fun thing to do close to home. We also did not need to concern ourselves with finding a place to park.

Rich and I are Dings (single people who never had children) who love to travel. We both love Florida and while we visit Rich’s family while there, we always enjoy visiting Tarpon Springs and the beaches in the Clearwater area. There are many great shops and excursions. While in Tarpon Springs getting cigars for Rich’s co-workers, we took a trolley for only $1.00 each. I never realized Tarpon Springs has a historical district and huge mansions. It also has an antique district.

Shops in Tarpon Springs

Trolley in Tarpon Springs

Tarpon Springs is known as the sponge capital of the world. It is the largest Greek Orthodox community in the United States. Always fascinated about other cultures, I find the Madi (I hope I spelled that correctly-I do not think it would be in spell-check) Eye fascinating. The Madi Eye is their healing charm. It would be similar to a cross for those of us who were raised Christian. I have an hour glass shape and find that Greek made clothing fits me perfectly. Maybe if there is such a thing as past lives, I was Greek in a past life. We saw many interesting things on the trolley. It was the best $1.00 one could spend. Each January 6^th, there is an annual Epiphany Celebration, where people dive after a cross.

Another great place is Mama’s Restaurant. Mama’s, as the locals call it, has fine dining and belly dancing some evenings. The locals say it is one of the best restaurants in Tarpon Springs.

Mama

We also visited Sand Key Park and spent an hour on the beach. Sand Key Beach is on the Gulf side and is great, a little farther than Clearwater, but well worth it because it is not as crowded and the time it talks to drive there would be spent looking for a parking spot. Rich and I are beachcombers. We love to walk the beach and pick up shells and different varieties of seaweed. Who would know seaweed was actually colorful and beautiful. The shells are also sparkly and beautiful. Something is special and spiritual about walking on the beach with sand oozing through your toes and the smell of the sea. Actually, it is not the sea that smells, but the seaweed. We never stay more than an hour or two, as that is long enough to give one a little color without burning excessively. The water was warm, the breeze nice. It is interesting to note that there were Ospreys (birds) on top of the light fixtures on the Causeway. Ospreys are predators and sit high atop light fixtures and look for food. It is totally amazing that they could spot something to eat from such a high vantage.

Sand Key Beach

We left around 3 pm. Going down Highway 589 was great. Highway 589 is a toll road. They have something called a Sun Pass, which I suspect is cheaper than paying each individual toll, even for a visitor. However, coming back on highway 589, we ran into rush hour traffic and it took us longer than we planned to get back to Port Richey, which is where Rich’s family lives. I suspect we will not travel highway 589 during rush hour anymore. We then dined at the Inn on the Gulf in Hudson. They are well known for their fish and chips.

Did I mention we were able to get great airfares at Seize The Moment Travel, a Travelocity partner? Travelocity has discount fares. It is nice to know we can travel at reasonable rates.