Dear Guests and Friends,
They're coming--those golden weeks when nature's palette is at its
richest.
To celebrate autumn's return, come visit
Hermann Hill with
views that bring you a bountiful harvest of colors that spread across the
valley and into the surrounding hillsides.
Indeed there are so many photo ops in this
season of color, your challenge will simply be deciding what to shoot.
Come October, leaves begin to crisp, area parish picnics begin,
there's often a scent of woodsmoke as the air takes on a new character.
October and November are busy times at Hermann Hill so
make your reservations soon.
Missouri's fall color season usually lasts four to six weeks, from
mid-September to its peak in mid-October with November days having a beauty
of their own. Short trips to areas around Hermann can fill your days with
a variety of fall festivals and tours of wine country or take a trip on the
Katy Trail. We're enthused about the construction of our new
Christopher S Bond Bridge crossing the Missouri River at Hermann with
separate hiking and biking lanes.
Highway 94 Revisited
Whether you're coming from Kansas City or St Louis, these suggested
driving tours will expose you to the most beautiful places
in Missouri any time of year, but are especially breathtaking during
Missouri's legendary fall foliage season, a trip along these backroad
highways leading to historic Hermann and Hermann Hill will
serve you well.
When driving to Hermann from Kansas City, take I-70 to Columbia and
then south on Hwy 63 toward Jefferson City. Just north of Jefferson City
turn east on Hwy 94 which will take you all the way to Hermann with the
sun at your back while you view magnificent bluffs full of Fall color.
The views along the river bluffs and along
Highway 94 are spectacular in Autumn. Several species of wildflowers are
still in bloom with deer and turkey often spotted along route. For the
photographer on these fall color trips there are some dramatic vistas where
you can capture early morning fog on the move, especially en route along the
Missouri river. We guarantee you'll get some winning shots.
The colors on the same tree may vary from year to year.
Hardwoods sporting yellow and orange foliage are sweetgum, sugar maple, red
maple, silver maple, and sassafras. Trees producing brilliant red and
crimson are typically red and silver maples, flowering dogwood, redbud, red
oak, blackgum, and swamp chestnut oak. Trees producing purple foliage will
typically be sweetgum, blackgum, and certain oaks.
For a scenic trip from St. Louis area we
suggest the following:
Highway 40 to West on 94 which follows the
Missouri River, to
South on Highway 19 to the Hermann Bridge.
You will frequently see bikers and hikers along
the Katy Trail
which travels through the
heart of our state. This time of year the
usual green setting vanishes completely as bright yellow, orange and red
leaves blend together to create a visually stunning backdrop.
On brilliant Crisp fall days you'll come across
roadside apple stands selling ciders and pumpkins.
The first thee weeks of October and the first
week of November offer several different chances for photo
opportunities here in mid Missouri. In addition to the breathtaking colors of
foliage and according to the Missouri Department of Conservation, this is also
the period when wildlife is very active. Many berries and fruits begin
to ripen, and it is also the time of year that acorns, walnuts, pecans, and
hickory nuts all fall to the ground. Wildlife goes into a three week feeding
frenzy to fatten up for winter.
We look forward to meeting new friends and
seeing old friends return this time of year.
Katy Trail Color Tour
Built along the former corridor of the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad, the
Katy Trail begins in St. Charles and ends in Clinton. The trail takes
visitors through some of the most scenic areas of the state, offering views
of towering bluffs, rolling hills and glistening rivers. Following the
ambling trail across Missouri, nature lovers can enjoy a wide assortment of
wildlife in its natural habitat. History buffs can delight in exploring the
small towns that once thrived along the railroad corridor.
Katy Trail Links
Katy Trail
State Park
BikeKatyTrail.com
The Interactive Katy
Trail
Octoberfest
2006
Event Dates: Oct. 7-8, 14-15, 21-22, 28-29, 2006
Enjoy live German music and traditional German food, arts and crafts,
and demonstrations each weekend in October. Wineries will be open for
tours, tastings and sales.
