If I have to go to St. Louis, I usually take 1-55 northbound because I probably have to do something time-sensitive, like picking up or dropping someone off at the airport. I don’t mind, because it’s a pretty stretch of road, much nicer than most pieces of the Super Slab that have an “I” as their first name.
Fourche a du Clos Valley Roadside Park
On the way back, I look for more scenic routes. I generally hop on Hwy 61 just north of Bloomsdale. That’ll give me a chance to see the Dew Drop Inn, and look over the valley at from the Fourche a du Clos Valley Roadside Park.
When I made the trip in May of 2019, the Mississippi River was misbehaving. A few weeks earlier, there was a sign just north of St. Mary that warned the road was underwater. I knew a dodge that would take me around the low lands, so I ignored the Road Closed sign in Ste. Gen.
Valle Spring Cemetery
The river had come up a few feet by the time I made this trip.
The water was over the road well north of my cutoff, so I had to backtrack to pick up Missouri M in Ste. Genevieve. That turned out to be a good thing, because it took me past the Valle Spring Cemetery (also known as Calvary Cemetery).
The beautiful grounds, home to about 6,000 permanent residents, was a place I’d like to explore more some day.
A peaceful resting place
I don’t think you can find anything greener or more peaceful than the lane that runs through the graveyard.
The Quarrytown Road Gamble
Just beyond the cemetery was Quarrytown Road that took off to the south. I gambled that it might stay on high ground to below St. Mary.
I always like driving through the rolling hills between Cape and Altenburg, but I think this road was even more scenic.
I just like it
When I started to get back in the van after shooting the vista, this old post caught my eye. I can never explain why I’m stopped by some things.
This ain’t great art, but I like all the shades of green and the idea that some farmer tacked a fence to this old tree no telling how many decades ago.
Sometimes you just have to believe the signs
When I got to the intersection of Quarrytown Road and Hwy 61, I found that it was time to turn around. The Mississippi River had other plans for me.
The road back was pretty enough that I didn’t mind seeing it from the other direction. I ended up taking I-55 most of the way back to Cape.
I believe that life is about journeys, not destinations. If Hwy 61 hadn’t been under water, I would never have discovered the cemetery nor Quarrytown Road. That made it a good day.
I love your ramblings Ken. I like doing that too when i can talk hubby into going. But my picture taking has a lot to be desired.
I thought I was the only one who left highway 55 and looked for the view at the park.