Last Saturday I felt lucky to be included as a last minute substitute for Beth and Jody's friend who could not make their "girl's trip" to Weston, Mo. Touted as the #1 day trip on many KC websites, it was a fun adventure.
We stopped at Nell Hill's, a design and decor mecca that I had yet to visit, largely because it is about 30 miles off of the Interstate and also closed on Sundays-it never fit in to my plans driving to and from KC. Nell Hill's is just like my beloved Voila! in the big "O", but 10 times as big. I noticed on their website that June 7th was an "everything has to go" sale--something to keep in mind in the future. A late Fall trip would kick start the holiday in style :D
I loved it!
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| Nell Hill's |
Along US 59 we came upon the first winery in a converted schoolhouse. No, not a historic schoolhouse you are thinking of--more like the 1960's one story kind-and we did this tasting in the "auditorium". :D But the experience was great and the wines were 3 for free or 10 for $5. I went with three for free thinking they would be quite sweet. They surprised me with variety, but I still walked away with one dessert wine.
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| Beth and Jody |
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| A delightful Benedictine grad, we talked about study abroad and touring Europe |
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| Finally in Weston we tried to get a selfie of the long historic main street behind us. |
On to "The Vineyards" which is a converted little white house that serves as a charming restaurant just across the street from Weston's Pirtle Winery.
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| The Vineyards--sorry for the awful pic from a website..............we ate on the porch and it was lovely! |
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| Pirtle Winery in a converted historic church building |
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| We quickly grabbed one tasting in the side yard before the rainstorm hit-we had walked a few blocks from the main street and needed to get to our umbrellas in the car! |
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| Once in town, all the sight seeing is done on foot-there were several bachelorette parties-safe and sound in this historic vineyard city |
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| On the hilltop, a beautiful restored home, this is the mysterious "side entrance"! |
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| The St George had been restored lovingly once, but needs it again-fast! |
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| Our ceiling! Third floor and rain is coming...........luckily it did not leak. |
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| After an afternoon exploring antique stores we had a delightful dinner at Avalon in the historic "lace house" named for the exterior ornamentation. |
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| Very cute pic--and you can see main street behind them |
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| On Sunday morning, we returned to the Avalon for brunch on the deck overlooking the view of town. Our hotel offered breakfast in the bar but by now we questioned the quality of our young management team :D |
Prior to brunch we walked around the neighborhoods looking at all the historic and quaint homes and multiple B & B's. The town baffled me because it was so historic it was as if the last century hadn't even occurred--I mean, how can you have a town that literally "time forgot" as the literature said? Well, in 1830-45 it was the second largest port city next to St Louis with 5000 residents, 250 boats a year docked there, and a bustling brewery, distillery and tobacco crop kept it thriving. In addition it was the last supply station to the Oregon Trail and a thriving growing community--until a flood changed the channel of the river, literally leaving them high and dry. By late 1800 there were less than 1000 residents and less and less after that. Mid 1970's brought the historic registration of the entire main street and the town slowly became a destination spot. The recent addition of vineyards and wineries (8) added to the attractions.
Weston, MO
My favorite store of all was Bella Company owned by a dog loving artist with wonderful prints , original paintings and also shirts and caps. I bought some cards that are endearing..amazing what can be conveyed with a few black lines!
B and B for sale
It would be a great dream to buy a bed and breakfast as beautiful as this-and host events and parties in this lovely town. O'Malley's (The historic brewery has a pub cellar with strange Irish (bawdy limericks) entertainment and that could certainly be removed from any future itinerary!) The cellar pub was unique but I'd take a folk singer any day!
There are beautiful hikes and a state park nearby yet to be explored. I recommend this day trip anytime!
Thanks for the invitation ladies :D
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