Midwest Travel Report: Powell Gardens

A week or so ago, we set out for Kingsville, Missouri. Powell Gardens is a favorite in this area......30 miles east of Kansas City......not a bad drive. Some call it a "road trip for the soul".

915 acres of lush growth and fountains. A barn, silo, farm, vineyard, pear promenade, peach plaza, greenhouse and organic garden make up the venue. Gorgeous.

The biggest draw here is the Butterfly Festival. We intentionally avoided this large event due to the crowds. Went on a slow day and it was lovely.

Arrived just before lunch and ate at the little cafe on site. Then, off to the conservatory.

The Big Bugs were visiting the garden......an ongoing exhibit.......which we actually saw at the Denver Arboretum when we lived there!

Lots of hands on learning for the children.

An organic vegetable garden.

From the top of the 45 foot tall silo, you can see for miles.

The Kansas/Missouri native plants quilt garden.

The barn and silo we toured.

On top! I don't care how tall that guard rail is. Makes a mama nervous.

The barn allows tasting from the organic garden. Carter and Lainey dug right in. Jack? "No fank you!"



We took a train trolley through the grounds to cut down on tired little legs.

The kids loved it. And, it's free with admission!

Off to the island gardens.



I want a live wreath like this. Beautiful.



Everything is picture perfect.

A walk in the woods? Don't mind if we do!

The famous Thorncrown Chapel, designed by E. Fay Jones, who studied under Frank Lloyd Wright.

The inspiration for this chapel was Paris's light filled gothic chapel, Sainte Chappelle.

Some details I learned from an architecture-loving friend: In order to preserve Thorncrown’s natural setting, Fay decided that no structural element could be larger than what two men could carry through the woods. The building materials are primarily pressure treated pine 2x4s, 2x6s, and 2x12s. The larger elements of the building such as the trusses were assembled on the floor and raised into place.

The chapel never looks quite the same due to the reflecting light during different parts of the day and further, different seasons of the year. At night, reflections of the crosses in the lights appear to surround the building.

Summed up - it's beautiful.

History lesson over. To change directions.....here is silly Laine looking like she's strangling Meow Meow. If you're a fan of his (hers?) on Facebook, you've seen this picture before.

Punks.

Caterpillar crawl.

Too easy.

And, we're done! I'm sure you're shocked Jack didn't want to get his picture taken in the cut outs. And, I bet you can guess what his response was when I asked!


Happy Sunday, peeps! Caroline has postponed her trip until tomorrow. We're anxiously awaiting her arrival!

Missouri on Dwellable