Monday, June 21, 2010

Rivers and rails part 5: Hermann, Missouri

We left St. Louis and headed towards Hermann, Missouri. We tried to stay on backroads near the Missouri River for a scenic drive.Before getting to Washington, Missouri, we had to stop for some construction on a bridge and of course I found something to take photos of :-) There were a couple of herons fishing along the water's edge where the field was flooded.
I think he got something!

Very peaceful.

We ate lunch in Washington, MO and this was the view from the restaurant. Both the river and the railroad right outside the window.

Looking up the river the other way.

This sign was in the parking lot. I guess all the towns along Lewis and Clark's route are proud to claim a connection.
Sky and steeple in the town.

We were staying at a B&B in Hermann, and it is a really nice old town full of German history and
winemaking history. We did all that the last time we came and didn't visit any of the museums and historic homes on this trip.
An interesting house that caught my eye.
Another house as we walked about the town.

We visited a total of 3 wineries.
The Blumenhof Winery in Dutzow, MO, and the Hermannhof Winery and Stone Hill Winery, both in Hermann.
A bench at Hermannhof. I will post mostly photos from this winery.

Old barrel on the wall.

In the tasting room, there were three of these interesting hangings.

I really liked them for their oddity.

They had a small cellar area that was open for "self-guided" touring. I enjoyed this better than the official guided tour later at Stone Hill.

Barrels

Damp brick walls and interesting angel

Another angel

This golden stag was one of several on a fence outside.

Stone Hill Winery is the oldest and sits on a hill looking down over the city of Hermann. The view was lovely from up there.
Grapes growing on the hillside.
The vines

This old press was in the corner of the tasting room.
Enough of wineries! It is lovely country and great for just driving around and stopping in the small towns along the river.

9 comments:

Philip said...

Looks like you enjoyed yourself sometimes a self tour is better than a guided one so you can spend more time were you like not running after the guide all the time I love your fifth picture with the railway lines gives the photo great depth :)

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

I did not know they grew grapes in that region Mary. Going wine tasting is a definite plus. :) Not that I drink it anymore but my husband used to enjoy a glass with dinner and I would sometimes have a little to keep him company.

I loved the soft rolling hills in MO and it will always have a place in my heart.

Ruth's Photo Blog said...

Fascinating! The restaurant would be the perfect eating place for a train buff,especially if a few trains came by during lunch. :)
Blessings,Ruth

Cicero Sings said...

Lovely old winery. I like those hanging figures too ... very unique.

Shelley said...

I love wineries! I loved your photos - especially seeing the inside w/ those gorgeous brick walls. Sounds like a fun trip!

Rose said...

Everything you did sounds interesting to me...I would really love to just have time to drive the back country down there. I would definitely want to visit the trains and the Lewis and Clark museum in one of your earlier posts...just so much to do and so little time to do it in.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

You all take the neatest trips, Mary, and it proves that there is SO much to see right here in the USA --in the small towns around the country... I love your trips and your posts...

Love the water pictures, the birds, the railroads, the interesting church and steeple, the small towns like Hermann--and those homes. WOW!!!!

And I loved the visit to the winery.... SO much fun!!! Thanks, Mary.
Hugs,
Betsy

Mary said...

Philip: With a self-tour, I don't have to stand in one spot for so long and can look at the things that I want.

Joan: Missouri has a large grape growing, wine making region in that area. The Germans came over and started growing grapes there.

Ruth: We ate at some really good little restaurants and a view of the river and trains is certainly a plus!

Cicero: Thanks...they were unusual and I would like to know more about them.

Shelley: Missouri has a lot of wineries and they are very pleasant places to stop and relax.

Rose: We crammed a lot into 3 days. We need to slow down, but we can't resist a sign for anything interesting :-)

Betsy: The midwest is full of great places to go. We may never get to states beyond our area :-)

George said...

Thanks for taking us along on your trip. I enjoyed the visit to the winery. If you enjoy visiting wineries, we have two here in Crossville (hint, hint).