I’ve said it before, but I have the navigation skills of a monkey in a windstorm. I used to be able to drive myself across state lines without so much as a map, gps or cell phone without getting lost, now I spend 85% of my time listening to that infernal “Recalculating” over and over and over again. The rest of the time is spent laughing at the fact that I can get lost driving in a straight line.
So as it usually happens when Miss 18 and I get in the car, we got lost. I don’t know how or why but she and I always get lost when we head out. I used to panic and worry that we’d be driving around for days before we’re found two states over in the middle of a corn field. Now I just go with it and, unless I have a pressing engagement, we usually end up sight seeing and having the best time ever.
Yesterday’s adventure took us to the Bollinger Mill Historic Site in Burfordville, Missouri.
The Bollinger Mill was built in 1800 by Maj. George Frederick Bollinger on a 640~acre grant from Louis Lorimier, the Spanish Commandant of Cape Girardeau District of Louisiana. The mill was damaged in the Civil War and later rebuilt. It operated until 1950.
I love love love old buildings and the history geek in me was totally excited about what we discovered.
The Burfordville Covered Bridge is one of Missouri’s few remaining covered bridges. Construction on the bridge began in 1860 but was suspended due to the Civil War, and wasn’t completed until 1867. The bridge is made completely of yellow poplar and was built by Cape Girardeau contractor Joseph Lansmon.
I think it looks a lot like the bridge used in the movie The Bridges of Madison County, don’t you?
The River Runs Thru It is a sweet little antique shop in the town of Burfordville, Missouri.
The owner of the shop was so incredibly nice. He let Miss 18 and me roam through the shop, while he talked about the area’s history. Really, how often do you get an history lesson while shopping?
I can’t wait to take the rest of the family and go back when there are leaves on the trees and flowers in bloom. Until that time, you can check out the rest of the pictures by clicking here.
What do you do when you get lost? Panic or go with the flow?
