Exploring Missouri’s Most Beautiful Spots
By Paul Edelman
Coming to the Raytown Mid-Continent Public Library on Aug. 7 at 7 p.m. is a presentation by Brent Frazee, one of Missouri’s most famous wildlife enthusiasts. An outdoors writer for various wildlife publications and the Kansas City Star, Frazee has accrued a lifetime of experiences and sights to share about the Show-Me State. Missouri possesses great diversity in habitat, and Frazee intends to demonstrate the unique beauty of its rolling green hills and lazy rivers through a virtual tour, particularly the Ozark region where he has spent countless hours hunting, fishing and sightseeing.
This region holds some of the state’s most picturesque sights, Frazee says, due to its many rivers, lakes and hills carved throughout geologic time. He names the Ozark National Scenic Riverways as one of Missouri’s best locales, describing the area near Eminence as a gem of a site.
“I’ve been in the state for a long time and I saw some things that absolutely blew me away in regard to Eminence,” he says. Another of his favorite Ozark sites is Alley Mill, located in the Scenic Riverways west of Eminence. A merchant mill built in the 1890s, its original use has ceased with time and it’s now a museum that showcases rustic life in 19th century Missouri.
Frazee admits it’s difficult to choose a favorite location, but as an avid fisherman, one of the top contenders must be the Ozark rivers themselves. “One of the most beautiful ways to enjoy the beauty of the Ozarks is to take a float trip,” he says.
Frazee will emphasize how Missouri’s landscape is unique, and says even longtime residents probably will learn new things about its natural attractions and hidden spots of beauty.
Registration is required at 816-353-2052 or mymcpl.org.