St. Louis summers with its heat and humidity can resemble Amazon rain forests without much of the rain. When that happens, go ahead and embrace the water with these cool activities.
RIVER OF LIFE FARMS
Take a vacation at the Rivers of Life Farm in Dora, MO to escape the stresses bombarding our lives now. Located on the north fork of the White River, the farm features luxury cabins tucked away in lush treetops where guests can relax in whirlpool tubs, and sleep on king-size beds with Egyptian cotton sheets.
For a river experience, owners Myron and Ann McKee will shuttle guests upriver where they can get a canoe and float back down river to the farm.
“People are completely disconnected when they’re out here,” says Rebecca McKee. “This gives them a chance to connect with who they’re with, to get back to nature and to do some healing on whatever level they need at the time.
For more information, call 417-261-7777 or visit treehousecabins.com.
MARK TWAIN RIVERBOAT CRUISE
For a step back in history, climb aboard the Mark Twain Riverboat in Hannibal, Mo., for a daytime or a dinner cruise. The paddleboat evokes memories of a time on the Mississippi River when ladies with parasols and smooth-talking gamblers strolled the decks watching the tree-covered bluffs and sandbars drift by.
“We want visitors to experience what called Mark Twain to write his books,” says Captain Steve Terry. “I know that most people are seeing this for the first time, and I like to tell the story of the river.
The day cruises include narrations about points of interest along the river. The dinner cruises include entertainment with a bit of history while passengers enjoy a buffet.
Call 573-221-3222 or visit .marktwainriverboat.com
LADY LIBERTY AND GOIN’ JESSI
Big Cedar Lodge, Ridgedale, Mo., nestled in the Ozark Mountains on Table Rock Lake features the Lady Liberty, a custom-built 65-foot luxury yacht that captures the beauty of a by-gone era. Experience the lake than on a brunch or dinner cruise, then relax on the spacious, open-air upper deck and let the cares of the day drift away.
For a shorter excursion, cruise the lake on the “Goin’ Jessi,” an exact replica of a 1934 Chris Craft named after Waylon Jennings’s wife, Jessi.
Call 800-225-6343 or visit bigcedar.com
BIG MUDDY ADVENTURES
With the Mississippi, Missouri and Meramec Rivers flowing around St. Louis, the city can be considered an island, and the Big Muddy Adventure Company wants to make sure residents get up close and personal with the rivers. Big Muddy shuttles passengers to the Chain of Rocks Bridge. They row over to Mosenthein Island where lunch is served, then paddle downriver to the Arch. Once a month, the company has a “lunar” night float with a celebrity chef who cooks dinner on the island.
“We heard this myth from our grandparents not to go near the river because it’s dangerous,” says Canoe Captain Joe Holstein. “WE have allowed industry to dominate the riverfront making it hard to access.”
Big Muddy Adventures wants to show the beauty of the river and allow passengers to relieve their stresses and enjoy nature.
The company also has ‘Paddle and Pedal” trips along the Missouri, and float trips with canoes or kayaks on the Meramec.
For more information, call 314-896-4BMA or visit 2muddy.com
At press time, pandemic rules were still changing, so we suggest that you call each of these companies to see if the dates you want are available. Each company advises making reservations several weeks in advance.
