Restaurants Updates
Everybody Loves Black River Ice Cream Parlor
Saturday, June 17, 2006
 I don't know this guy's name, nor his pedigree. But he was sitting right there outside the door of the Black River Ice Cream Parlor this morning when I came out with my sausage, egg and cheese biscuit.
He was waiting for ice cream.
I'll have to admit, even though it was early in the morning. I was waiting, too.
After the ice cream machine got going, I went back in for a Bearcat Blast, with peanut butter cup mixed in. Mmmmm.
Join us soon, won't you?
I'll see you on the Black River.
Posted by Kevin Perry 10:02 am Maps, Old and New
Wednesday, June 7, 2006
 People have been trying to find their way to the fun in the Lesterville area for a long time.
A good map just can't be beat for that job.
I'm proud of the map we're offering on http://www.experienceblackriver.com/.
But it's not the only one "out there."
One of my favorites appears to be printed on an old bandana (if I remember it correctly) mounted on a door in the back corner inside Lenny's.
You'll have to visit Denny and Cathy personally to see the old map up close.
You might as well drive on down this weekend.
I'll see you on the Black River.
posted by Kevin Perry 10:08 pm Dragon Tails & Cones
Tuesday, June 6, 2006
Click on the picture to see a close-up of that Dragon Tail.
I'll venture a guess that you can only see them (in Lesterville) at the Peola Valley Pottery.
Lee Ferber tells me they're really called pyrometric cones.
He puts a set of these cones in the kiln when he fires his pottery. From time
to time, he pulls a brick out of the kiln wall and peeks through the hole to
inspect the dragon tail.
When three of the cones have drooped over, but one remains unbowed, he knows
the temperature inside the kiln is just right for the clay mixture and glazes he
uses.
By the way, cones like these are used by potters all over the world.
When you're in Lesterville, you should drop by and see if you can talk Lee
out of one. The used ones are sitting on top of his kiln door ready to be
taken home by dragon admirers everywhere.
If you want an ice cream cone, well...you'll have to visit Donna at the Black
River Ice Cream Parlor. She'll make your ice cream dessert just the way you
want it. Go ahead and ask her for anything you can dream up.
I"ll see you on the Black River.
Posted by Kevin Perry 8:57 pm Slow About Elephant Rocks
Monday, June 5, 2006
 I'm slow. I know.
I'm finally posting a pic up here of a visit I made to Elephant Rocks State Park way back in April.
Speaking of slow...I'd never seen them before!
These huge granite formations are worth the trip down here, even if you do nothing else, and I know you won't do that!
Elephant Rocks State Park is not like some fancy museum in which you get to just see the big rocks. No! When you're here you get to be on the rocks, near the rocks, between the rocks, not beneath the rocks, but definitely among them.
For an interesting contrast experience, why not start your day at Elephant Rocks State Park, then come over to the newly re-opened Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park. The tour of the boulder field is fascinating.
I did the tour, as well as the new driving tour through the Park on the Thursday evening before Memorial Day weekend. Amazing!
Even though I'm slow about seeing Elephant Rocks, you shouldn't be. Plan your visit to the Black River area today.
I'll see you on the Black River.
posted by Kevin Perry 11:38 pm I Saw It, But I Forgot To Ask
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
 I saw this comical contraption at Brushy Creek Resort in Black, MO.
But I don't know what it is.
I forgot to ask while I was there.
So I guess I'll have to go back.
If you stay there before I do, please email me to let me know what in the world it is!
I'll see you (on horseback?) on the Black River.
posted by Kevin Perry 12:02 pm Unique Lodging
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
 If tent camping by the river, or a beautiful lodge, or cozy cabins just aren't what you're looking for, you'll want to stay in Black, MO at Brushy Creek Lodge and Resort.
But you might have to compete with others (make your reservations early) to stay in one of these tee-pees!
While you're here, ride the Ozark Trail on horseback.
And eat at the Trails End restaurant.
I'll see you on the Black River.
posted by Kevin Perry 11:55 am Missouri Maple
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
 Well...that's a rare peek inside my refrigerator at home.
That jar is a gift that was given to me this morning by Mary Wiltberger, the owner of Koinania Cottage.
Wow! I didn't know what to expect when I arrived at her place this morning.
I'll tell you more later. But for now, I'll let you know that this place provides a very cozy, close-knit family retreat in nature.
There are so many special touches to experience here.
Mary and her whole family go out of their way to take care of you so you can be close to creation.
There's a brook right by the cottage to play in. And a nearby blackberry bramble to pick.
There are the "mini-Elephant Rocks" to climb on.
And on and on.
You can even visit in the Winter and help Mary tap the maple trees. All the sap is delivered down the road to a nearby friend who cooks the sap to syrup.
It is intensely good!
Mary says this is a place where families become families again and kids become kids again, untouched by the rat race of daily modern life.
I told my wife and daughter about Koinania Cottages, and we can't wait to come here as a family.
I hope you'll call Mary today and reserve your week with this extraordinary family and this incredible opportunity to get close to nature.
I'll see you on the Black River.
posted by Kevin Perry 11:10 am New Cedar Picnic Pavillion
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
 If you're looking for a beautiful place to picnic with your family, come to the Dillard Mill State Historic Site.
Right near the parking lot, in the shade of trees along the stream is this BRAND NEW picnic pavillion.
It's gorgeous. All of the cedar (I think) wood beams and cedar picnic tables are brand new. They've never been used. And they're freshly finished...waiting for you to use and enjoy.
I'll see you on the Black River.
posted by Kevin Perry at 9:14 am Double Cheese Burger In Paradise
Thursday, May 25, 2006
I just arrived in Lesterville. I'm glad to be here. I've been in the car too long today.
On the way over here this afternoon I did two things:
- I stopped at Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park. The place is buzzing with activity. The media tour is done. Another tour is about to begin. And tonight MDNR's Parks Division is hosting a public meeting. The Park really looks different. If you haven't seen the boulder field, you've really got to come. It's like nothing you've ever seen before.
- I had lunch over in Centerville. I dropped in at the 21 Diner. Oh my stars! I had a double cheeseburger that was home-made. I can't remember when I've had a cheeseburger that good! I was moaning and groaning as I ate it. It didn't last long. It was fantastic.
When you come to the Black River area, be sure to stop in across the street from 21 Diner at the Centerville Quick Stop. They have EVERYTHING you need, including gas, convenience food, a deli, sodas and beer, fishing tackle, camping equipment, souvenirs, video rentals....and they are THE place in the area where you can get your trail permit to use your four-wheeler on the trails in the Sutton Bluff Recreation Area.
I'll see you on the Black River.
posted by Kevin Perry 4:25 pm Sun and Steel
Friday, May 19, 2006
 I like this view, looking down through the structure of the lookout tower at the top of Taum Sauk Mountain in Taum Sauk Mountain State Park.
I'll see you on the Black River.
posted by Kevin Perry 3:35 pm 15-Mile View
Friday, May 19, 2006
 One of the guides I read said that on a clear day you can see 15 miles in every direction from the lookout tower in Taum Sauk Mountain State Park.
Click on the thumb-nail to see a bigger shot of what I saw this afternoon.
It's thrilling up there.
I'll see you on the Black River.
posted by Kevin Perry 3:27 pm It's Worth the Climb
Friday, May 19, 2006
 When you're in the Black River area, you should plan to visit Taum Sauk Moutain State Park.
I've been there all afternoon.
Here's a picture of the first thing I did there, I climbed the lookout tower.
The padlock on the trapdoor keeps you from going all the way to the top. But the next best thing is definitely worth the climb.
I felt the wind blowing...which is an overly brave way of saying I hung onto the railing when the gusts came up.
The view was amazing.
I'll see you on the Black River.
posted by Kevin Perry 3:19 pm Manicured Lawns
Friday, May 19, 2006
 You might have to squint when you look at this admittedly poor photograph.
Back there near the rail you'll see the dark silhouette of one of the groundskeepers at Wilderness Lodge on a riding lawn mower. It's clear to me by the looks of things, and the smell, too, that he's been at this for quite a while this morning.
These lawns along the road are in tip-top shape.
All of the proprietors here are hustling right now to make sure their facilities are ready for the beginning of the peak season that traditionally starts next weekend with Memorial Day.
You will not be disappointed. It's beautiful.
I'll see you on the Black River.
p.s., Since I'm posting this at 11:20 am, you already know I'm late for the season's opening of the kitchen at Lenny's. That means my Black River sub will have to wait until I get up there. I'm hustling, too. (You believe me, right?)
posted by Kevin Perry at 11:20 am Several Days of Rain Makes the Canopy Lush
Friday, May 19, 2006
 Over the past months I've driven down this road many times.
It takes me to some of my favorite places here, including Riversedge Campground, Camp Taum Sauk, Peola Valley Pottery, and Wilderness Lodge Resort.
But it has never looked like this before. (Click on the pic for a closer view.)
Wow!
Meteorolgist I'm not. But when I add it up for myself, I think it's rained over 5 inches here so far in May.
The result is this beautiful canopy over the road. It's literally like driving through a beautiful green tunnel with the rays of sunlight cutting through.
I'll see you on the Black River.
Posted by Kevin Perry 10:28 am A Day Full of Fun in the Black River Area
Friday, May 19, 2006
It's raining in Lesterville this morning. It's just a little bit chilly out. I doubt it will get in my way.
Yesterday, I spent the whole morning floating the Black River in a canoe. I was out early. It was quiet and still and absolutely beautiful. Despite the rain, I'm expecting another fun day here.
I'm sitting at the Black River Ice Cream Parlor right now eating my breakfast. It's great. You can't beat this Western Omlette. It's huge. It's delicious. And it's packed with bacon, ham, cheese, and...well you get the idea.
After breakfast, I'm going back to check out of my room at the Black River Family Motel. (For those of you who can't leave the electronics behind, the Black River Family Motel offers one feature that's sometimes hard to find down here...excellent cell phone signal!)
Then I'm off to visit Lee Ferber at Peola Valley Pottery.
Lee has fired a new batch of mugs using mud from the Black River as a glaze. I'm going by his place to pick one up. You'll want to get one, too. I'll post a picture up here later today so you can see one.
Lee's also got some beatiful tiles and other pieces that commemorate the old bridge that crossed the Black River. It's gone now, the bridge that is, but Lee's art and artifacts capture it beautifully.
My favorite is a rugged image of the old bridge stamped into a hunk of iron they took from the bridge when they tore it down. I use it as a paper weight. It's on my desk right now. You can get one only at Peola Valley Pottery, right here in Lesterville. (Click on the picture above to see a close-up of mine.)
Then I'm off to Lenny's. I've been told so many times that I can't really experience the Black River area if I haven't eaten the famous "river-ready" Black River Sub. BUT...Lenny's only serves the famous BR Sub sandwich during the high camping and float trip season.
FINALLY, today the kitchen opens up for the season at Lenny's. At 11:00 am, to be precise. And I'll be there. I wouldn't miss it.
I was at Lenny's last night and talked to Kathy. She's excited about their new menu. (I'll see if I can post a copy of it up here later.)
And She and Denny are gearing up for their booth at the 25th Annual SEMO bike run here in Lesterville this weekend. Lenny's will have a booth over there featuring Red Bull and their equally famous hot wings.
From there, I'm off to Taum Sauk Mountain State Park. Taum Sauk Mountain State Park has suffered an unfortunate naming problem.
Many of you know that the reservoir that breached and caused flooding in Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park is called Taum Sauk Reservoir.
So, there's been some confusion. Many think that the Taum Sauk Mountain State Park is closed.
It's not. I'm headed there today. I'm excited about it, too. At 1,772 feet, Taum Sauk Mountain is the highest point in Missouri. I'm on my way there.
By the way, Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park is opening to the public next weekend, Saturday, May 27 at 8:00 am. I don't know yet if I'll be there for it. But the excitement and anticipation are irresistable. Visitors to JSI this year will be able to see things they'll never see again, because restoration construction is on-going.
Enough of this talk.
I've got to go.
I'll see you on the Black River.
posted by Kevin Perry 8:48 am Bearcat Getaway Gettin' Ready
Thursday, May 18, 2006
 It's one week before Memorial Day holiday. How would you get ready for the many eager visitors who are already chomping at the bit to start the season of camping, float trips, canoeing, and live entertainment on the Black River in Lesterville, MO?
Glee Suntrup, owner of Bearcat Getaway, knows how to prepare her place for your visit. It's a big job. She doesn't do it alone.
I visited her earlier this afternoon, right after lunch. And I ended up spending the whole evening in her beautiful home. She and her husband David Suntrup entertained me with great stories about how they bought and then grew the campground to what it is today.
They are a delightful couple. And you'll enjoy having them as your hosts when you visit.
So what are Glee and her staff doing?
- cleaning and testing all of the rafts and watercraft for the float trips,
- sprucing up all the vehicles,
- ordering all the special menu items for the "theme" weekends that are coming up,
- power washing the shower facilities,
- mowing the grounds,
- creating eight new camp sites!
...and on and on it goes.
The point is, they will be ready for your visit.
Call and reserve your camp site and float trip today. You can't help but have fun.
I'll see you on the Black River.
posted by Kevin Perry 7:08 pm Don't Let the Hat Fool You
Thursday, May 18, 2006
 Don't let the fancy hat fool you.
I saw Robbie Chadbourne the day after this photo was taken (he guided my Float Trip fishing adventure down the Black River) eating lunch at Lenny's.
He was wearing a blue bandana then.
Maybe the hat is "business" and the bandana "casual."
Whatever it is, I enjoyed fishing and lunching with Robbie.
You will, too.
I'll see you on the Black River.
posted by Kevin Perry 3:05 pm
Fishing Float Trip on the Black River
Thursday, May 18, 2006
 It was cold when I got up this morning.
I knew I would be in a canoe on the River all morning long. I wanted to wear shorts and a short sleeve shirt. Nope. It was too cold.
Robert "Robbie" Chadbourne of Black River Fishing was my guide. He met me at 6:00 am in front of the Black River Family Motel. We had a cup of coffee before we headed down the road for the river in his green pick-up truck.
In the back of the truck was the old aluminum canoe his grandfather gave him when he was 10 years old. Robbie has lived and fished on this river his whole life.
We crossed the bridge just a few streets over, by Horseshoe Ranch/Black River Camping, and parked the truck.
With just a minor delay to set some bait on the hooks, we were in the water and slipping through the openings under the bridge.
Robbie said he caught a ton of fish the day before. We were hoping for just as much luck today.
I'm not a fisherman. But Robbie is. He knows every inch of this River.
The morning was quiet and cool and beautiful. I liked it out there early. It was very peaceful.
Did I mention I didn't have to paddle? Sweet. Robbie did this work expertly. We were in and out of fishing holes up and down the river, all day long, with no trouble at all.
We didn't waste any time. We started casting our lines immediately.
Plastic worms, crawfish impregnated with a big dose of garlic and these fabulous gold spinners with...nevermind. I'll say it again. I'm not a fisherman.
But this float trip down the river was fabulous. I caught (and relased) four smallmouth bass. Robbie caught more. And the feeling you get when you SEE and FEEL one of these fish strike at your bait is thrilling.
I forgot my camera. So that pic up there is not one I took.
We got out of the river at about 2:00 pm down at Bearcat Getaway.
One of Robbie's friends gave us a ride back to town. After we retrieved the truck the three of us sat down for lunch, burgers and lots of ice cream, at the Black River Ice Cream Parlor. We were hungry.
The Brownie EarthQuake Sundae got rave reviews!
When you make your plans to visit the Lesterville area, be sure to call Robbie and set up your guided float trip fishing adventure on the Black River.
I'll see you on the Black River.
posted by Kevin Perry 2:50 pm Signs of Spring
Thursday, May 11, 2006
 I know you know...it's Spring.
But here's a bit of nature's beauty.
I took this picture at Millstream Gardens Conservation area, too.
It's so beautiful here.
You should jump in your car and drive down to visit this weekend. Why wait?
I'll see you on the Black River.
posted by Kevin Perry 10:43 am
New Maps!
Thursday, May 11, 2006
We just added two new maps to http://www.experienceblackriver.com/!
I've used draft versions of both of these maps on the ground as I made my way around the Black River area. You won't want to be without them when you come down to visit.
The first is a map of Area Attractions. You can view it and print it here.
You'll see featured the parks, historic sites, and natural wonders that people love to visit.
Don't forget, while you're viewing this map online, you can zoom in for closer views.
Use it today to plan your visit to the Black River area.
The second is a map of Black River Area Businesses. The services they provide are indespensible. So call them today to make your reservations or to handle your needs for food, supplies, lodging or adventure. It's all here.
View and print the Business locator map here.
I'll see you on the Black River.
posted by Kevin Perry at 9:58 am. Shrimp Dinner at Black River Ice Cream Parlor
Wednesday, April 12, 2006
It was almost 8:00 pm when I sat down for dinner in the Black River Ice Cream Parlor.
It's right on Highway 21 in downtown Lesterville.
I had a big salad and the fan-tailed shrimp dinner. It was great.
The shrimp were lightly breaded, and not greasy at all.
I was tempted to have what everyone at the table next to me was having: a banana split. I'll have to tell you about it next time.
It sure is great to sit down and chat with Terry. He and his wife own and operate the Black River Ice Cream Parlor. They have always been so nice to me whenever I come by.
I'm sure I'll be back.
I'll see you on the Black River.
posted by Kevin Perry 9:13 pm Fort Davidson Fun
Wednesday, April 12, 2006
I just returned from visiting the Fort Davidson State Historic Site in Pilot Knob.
It is so beautiful outside today, I can't imagine anyone not enjoying the day.
This attraction made it easy.
When I got out of the car I saw a huge green lawn, surrounding what remains of the fort. It has been beautifully manicured and maintained by DNR.
The sun was shining bright. There was a blue sky overhead. And I could smell freshly mowed grass. What a great way to start the day.
From the Fort site, you can look back across the lawn and see the building that houses the exhibits and interpretive displays. The building looks brand new. The whole north wall of the building consists of a bank of windows that look out over the Fort area.
Behind the building you can see Pilot Knob...a pretty impressive mountain. Swing around and look to your left and there's Shepherd Mountain.
Beyond the building is a picnic and playground area, with plenty of room for fun in the sun and in the shade. I could hear the kids playing on the playground as I sat on the front steps for a while before entering.
This historic site commemorates the one-day Civil War battle that occurred right here.
I'll write more later. For now, I'm off to Elephant Rocks State Park, just up the road. After that I'm going over to the Black River Ice Cream Parlor. The last time I was there I had a huge omelette. Everyone raves about their desserts, too!
Find our more about the Fort Davidson State Historic site here on our attractions page.
When you plan your trip to the Black River area don't miss Fort Davidson!
I'll see you on the Black River.
posted by Kevin Perry at 10:48 We're up and running now!
Tuesday, April 4, 2006
We're very happy today to roll out all of functions and features of ExperienceBlackRiver.com.
You'll want to explore the ATTRACTIONS that have been bringing enthusiasts back to the Black River area year after year. They're all still here. And now that the weather is warming up, there's nothing to stop you from enjoying everything this area has to offer.
Please take a look at the EVENTS we've posted. There are some fun activities there you and your family won't want to miss.
While you're checking out what ExperienceBlackRiver.com and the Black River area have to offer, don't forget to take advantage of what our local businesses have to offer. Book a float trip. Reserve your camp space or lodge. Plan your gift buying experience.
Lestervile and Black River area are truly at the center of all of the attractions.
I'll see you on the Black River,
posted by Kevin Perry 9:11 am
|
