Are We There Yet???

March 05, 2012

For Christmas, my children surprised my husband and me with a trip to Hermann, Missouri. This got me thinking about other fun places nearby to explore.

Ever since we found out about our trip, we have been making plans and researching activities around the area. Questions like: Should we drive or take the train? Should we take bikes or use the trolley transportation that is available? While visiting the Hermann website, we found a lot of valuable information; there are links to Amtrak, information regarding the Hermann Trolley Co., and other shuttle services.

The town of Hermann, seated along the Missouri River just east of Jefferson City, is—according to their website—full of "vintage charm" and "timeless beauty." And many think of it as the Rhine Valley of Missouri, which is why German settlers made this their home.

In my research about Hermann, I found out that in 1837, school teacher, George Bayer traveled to Missouri and purchased the beautiful 11,000 acres of the steepest and most rugged terrain to be found on the Missouri River. Residents today joke that settlers bought "vertical acreage." German determination, hard work, and the idea of planting vineyards on a rocky hillside are the reasons Hermann survives today. Along with the vineyards, I plan to visit the Hermann Library, which is part of the Scenic Regional Library system. Like MCPL, it serves three counties: Gasconade, Franklin, and Warren. 

Hermannites are proud of their German ancestry. The town website is peppered with German phrases like, "Guten Morgen" (Good Morning), "Auf Wiedersehen" (Goodbye) and "Missouri’s schonste Stadt" (Missouri’s Most beautiful town). I look forward to seeing it for myself. In the meantime, I will continue to research information on Hermann and other destinations in Missouri by reading books like:

Driving Across Missouri: a Guide to I-70
By Ted T. Cable

Backroads and Byways of Missouri: Drives, Day Trips and Weekend Excursions
By Archie Satterfield

Kids Love Missouri: Your Family Travel Guide to Exploring “Kid Friendly” Missouri 500 Fun Stops and Unique Spots.
By George Zavatsky

For other information on Missouri, you can use our Online Databases and go to CultureGrams. Click on the "States Editions," then go to Missouri. I found many facts about Missouri, including a recipe for Gooey Butter Cake and a Distance Calculator. Did you know that it is 170.41 miles from Kansas City to Hermann? I can’t wait to go!

Linda S.
Blue Ridge Branch