Burgers' Smokehouse

Just South of California, Missouri is a great place to visit. The Burger clan has located their meat processing and smokehouse there. 

In addition to selling a large selection of smoked hams, bacon, ribs, chicken, turkey, cheeses and sausage they have an entryway to their sales facility that includes a well done series of dioramas highlighting the seasons and animals of Missouri.

If you are there at the right time you can enjoy the smell of meats smoking.   

They sell their products online and much can be learned about smoking meats from reading their website - https://www.smokehouse.com/

A short trip down a tree lined drive takes you to the retail sales store

The Burger Smokehouse retail facility

Smokehouse

Entry to the sales store with dioramas along the way

A fox is his native environment

This animated figure welcomes you

Flowing waterfalls give a peaceful sound

Corporate Office

This display explains the construction of the dioramas

Julie shopping

We have learned about the differing means of smoking hams. The folks at the smokehouse store will explain their various offerings, but the following description copied from their website summarizes it well.

"Country hams are produced using traditional dry-curing methods. The cure is applied to the surface of the ham in dry form and is allowed to penetrate into the ham naturally over time. The result of the drying and aging process creates a robust, pronounced flavor and a firm texture. Some people who are salt conscious may find the saltier nature of country ham to be objectionable, but to the enthusiast, there is no substitute. Country hams may be purchased cooked or uncooked and may or may not be smoked. (See below)

City hams are produced using modern moist-curing methods. The cure is injected into the ham in a brine form. The process takes much less time compared to that of country ham. The result is a moist and tender ham that is characterized by its sweet flavor.  Although milder than country ham, the flavor of the city ham is not bland and may actually be considered bold compared to a water-added grocery store ham. City hams are cooked and smoked using natural hickory sawdust."

Hotel Bothwell

We planned an overnight stop in Sedalia, Missouri and did a web search for a nights lodging. 

One of the choices was the historic Bothwell Hotel in downtown Sedalia. This hotel is on the National Register of Historic Places.

This is a hotel which keeps some traditions from a bygone era. The doors to the rooms have transoms, the elevators have brass and glass mail chutes and the lobby has a surrounding balcony. It was a nice change from the more traditional motels.

The hotel is near the KATY Trail and is a popular overnight stop for bicyclists. 

http://www.hotelbothwell.com/history/

Sedalia Depot

We have wanted to explore the former MKT railroad station in Sedalia, Missouri, but it has always been closed on previous visits. This time it was open.

The station was built in 1896 and served the railroad for years. Today it is occupied by the Sedalia Area Chamber of Commerce, Sedalia Convention and Visitors Bureau and serves as the official Welcome Center for Sedalia.

It is a Trailhead for the KATY bicycle trail across Missouri and has a full service bicycle shop which offers repair and service for all makes.

The station includes a wide variety of exhibits showing the history of the railroad, the building and the restoration of it after abandonment by the raiilroad. You can purchase garments highlighting the KATY Trail ride here.

More info can be found at: http://www.katydepotsedalia.com/directions.htm

Exploring the cabinet in the former dining room

Floor plan for the depot

Scott Joplin's Ragtime music is a part of the exhibits in the Depot museum

Hearth in the former Ladies Waiting room

Kehde's BBQ

There is a restaurant just a little ways North of the KATY Trail in Sedalia, Missouri that is well known for their fine BBQ and serves it in a former railroad coach car. You can see the path the bicyclists have made coming down the KATY trail overpass and heading the few blocks to the restaurant.

I have heard of Brisket cooked so well it melts in your mouth but this is the first place I have actually had that happen. Well worth your time to stop here.

The main dining area for the times the railroad car is not open

St Charles Missouri

We stopped at St Charles, Missouri to have lunch and enjoyed seeing the historic buildings

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Bradden's restaurant serves a dish of mussels in a wine and cream sauce along 

with homemade bread to sop up the juices that has become a favorite of mine - Yum!. 

Village of Elsah

Just North of Alton, Illinois is a Village called Elsah which is on the National Historic Register. 

This is a great place to stop and explore the historic buildings. In 1853 James Semple offered free lots in the village to anyone who would build using stone from the his quarry and by 1861 the village was built up.

The village served as the shipping headquarters for the local farmers but diminished in importance with the coming of the railroads. Today it is a popular stop on the Sam Vadalabene Bike Trail.

We did a quick “Look-see” on our drive along the Great River Road and enjoyed our brief stop.

A virtual tour of the village can be found at:  http://www.elsah.org/

The village is just off the Great River Road which is one of the prettiest drives you can take