Rocheport, Missouri

I decided on a whim to go to Rocheport, MO this weekend. Well deep down it was not a whim as it was a town I have wanted to visit for years.

After going I am DAMN mad I didn’t go years ago. I held an election and I am now the Mayor McCheese and the unofficial PR person for Rocheport. I am sure they will be thrill to learn this, all 208 residents.

You ask, well where is Rocheport? It is dead in the center of the state between Kansas City and St. Louis just off Hwy 70.

You ask, why should I visit Rocheport? The easy answer is why not?

Sit right back while you hear a tale…

My Route:

I left St. Louis morning about 9:30am and headed out Hwy 40 to Hwy 94. I followed 94 all the way to Route D. Route D is just west of Bluffton, MO. The route between 40 and D was pretty painless but very enjoyable. Stayed on D about 5 miles up to Route O. A nice windy route and a nuclear plant to boot, who could ask for more? Route O drops you into Fulton. I wander through Fulton over to 4^th street which turns into Route F which goes to Columbia. Once small issue, Route F was closed in middle and I had to take a detour, about a 20 mile detour via HWY 54 to route H to route J. Not much of an issue as J is pretty straight route up to WW. I picked up WW and was a short ride into Columbia. Then wandered through Columbia and ended up on the west end and picked p UU to Hwy 40 and followed that to Spur 240 and finally into Rocheport. Total mileage was about 140.

Rocheport (French for Port of Rocks)

A quaint little town nestled on the banks of the Missouri River. Whether you come into town via Route BB via Hwy70 or the 240 spur from Hwy 40 you instantly know you are in for a special visit.

This is small town America yet with a very rich history and a definite splash of sophistication. The town is very warm and welcoming.

Upon arrival I rode up and down the streets and got the lay of the land. The shops along “main” street were bustling with patrons.

The rest of the town is filled with many other merchants including several bed and breakfast inns. I was staying at the Yates House (www.yateshouse.com ) so I sought out the house after leaving the main street area. I turned onto Second Street and immediately recognized the house I had seen on their web page.

After I got my bearings, I headed up to the Les Bourgeois winery. First let me say I am not a connoisseur of wine but I am here to tell you as far as ambience goes, this winery has it in spades. While I love the setting of Mount Pleasant in Augusta, Les Bourgeois puts Mount Pleasant to shame.

There are three areas to the winery: the tasting room at Hwy 70/BB, the Blufftop Bistro and the A-Frame.

www.missouriwine.com

I will begin where I started, the Blufftop Bistro. You can look all over the Missouri and I doubt you find a better situated restaurant. I am not keen on eating by myself but I had a marvelous time. My server Rachel made my experience very enjoyable. The menu is varied and has something for everyone. I had a crabmeat frittata and for dessert lemon lavender pond cake. Both YUMMY!

After my fabulous lunch, I headed up to the tasting room. I did not have any wine since I was riding on my scooter and it was about 90 degrees. The tasting room at the winery is good opportunity to introduce ones self to the Les Bourgeois offerings. I watched others sample and the two women conducting the testing’s were very nice and rushed no one. At larger wineries I have found after you taste one wine it is almost a what do you want next approach without any regard to what you are experiencing. . These two ladies explained each wine and I had fun listening and learning.

I head headed back into town to check in at the Yates House. I was warmly greeted by owner Dixie Yates. I can’t begin to express in words what a marvelous host Dixie is. From the minute I stepped in I was welcomed with warmth and friendliness.

Dixie gave me a tour of the house. The house is just beautiful! You would think I was walking into the house as if it were just completed that day. I have never seen such a clean place! I have stayed in 5 star hotels that were not as nice as the Yates House. If I had chosen I could had dinner in my bathroom and felt at ease!

When I mentioned to Rachel, my server at the Bluff top Bistro, that I was staying at the Yates House, the first thing she said was wait till you meet Dixie and man can she cook! I did try Dixie’s homemade cookies that she has on the kitchen island for guests. They are awesome!!

After my tour I was shown to my room. I stayed in the Valentine room, a very sunny and comforting room! I was dying to have a shower, do I did. I have said it before but I will say it again, my room and bathroom were immaculate!

After my shower I headed out back to the grounds of Yates House.

Dixie in addition to being a master cook and published author is a marvelous gardener. The gardens are as charming as the owner and house. By the way, I keep calling this a house but the ambience Dixie creates makes it a home, you feel instantly at home!

Onward to explore Rocheport some more!

I did not go to school in Missouri so I did not have the usual Missouri history lessons. I have been self taught in my Missouri history and I knew Rocheport played a part in the Civil War and was hit hard by Confederate guerrillas. I let my mind wandered and wondered what it must have been like for the early settlers in this small town under attack. Especially given when history indicates they would have sided with the South. Unfortunately war is never kind to anyone no matter the time or place.

Being a Lewis and Clark nut, I was exciting to head over to the KATY trail, I always get a thrill to think that I am walking in the same steps that Lewis and Clark did in. I once trespassed on Union Pacific railroad rails to see Tavern Rock cave and bluff where Meriwether Lewis almost died on the first few days of the expedition. I digress….

The KATY trail to those that don’t know is a 200+ mile biking trail built on the abandoned and scenic route of the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railroad. Rocheport has one of the most amazing parts of the KATY trail including a 240 foot tunnel dug through a bluff in 1893. You can still see the soot left by the trains in the tunnels ceiling and walls.

Near the tunnel entrance I was surprised to find a Missouri conservation area named Diana Bend. A wetland and bluff area which is well maintained. The climb to the top of the bluff is very steep but well worth the climb! Dixie later told me that in the fall you can walk all across the bluff and come out on the other side! I look forward to doing that in the fall. Check out Diana Bend info here:

http://mdc.mo.gov/conmag/2006/06/30.htm

After a few short hours of checking out Rocheport, I headed over to the A-Frame back at Les Bourgeois winery. The A-Frame was the original home for the Bourgeois’ when they first bought the winery. Now it is a place to pick up a glass of wine and a snack. Beneath the A-frame is a series of terraces. Why are these terraces here? The A-Frame sits a mile down the bluff from the Blufftop Bistro. A top this bluff I witnessed the most amazing sunset I have ever seen in my life! Not one to sit still long, I sat and watched the day fade away for three hours!

After the sunset I rode back up though the winery and sat out by the vineyards and waited for the stars to come out! I was not disappointed as the days last light waned a beautiful moon appeared and the stars started popping.

Afterwards I headed back to the Yates House and crashed. I reflected on my day and was so happy I made the spur of the moment trip to my favorite new town. I promised myself as I drifted off this would not be my last trip!

If you take anything away from this blog, I want you to travel to Rocheport and see what I saw; I think you will fall in love as well.

If you have the means and opportunity the Yates House is a MUST stay. I know I will go back again but next time will be for more than the day as I just saw a little of what this town and area has to offer.

With my apologies to the other 49 states in this great country, I am not sure there is a prettier state overall than Missouri or for that matter a more beautiful town.

Here is a PhotoStory of my trip to Rocheport. The pictures seem out of sort but they are in order of how I took them with two cameras.

Click on the link and Windows media player will show the PhotoStory. Once opened it is best view by right clicking on the story and going to full screen. Turn on your volume as I picked one of my favorite songs to go along with the pictures.

http://www.stlphins.com/rocheport/Rocheport.wmv