19th Springfield Stop -- The Pythian Castle

I know the Pythian Castle (1451 E. Pythian St.) can't open to the public right now (thanks to the City). However, it is a one-of-a-kind hidden Springfield gem built in 1913 as an orphanage. It is massive and has an interesting history. Hopefully, it will be open for tours again soon. Until then, drive by and take a look. I took the photo above when our office took a tour a few years ago.

18th Springfield Stop -- The Hammons Tower

The Hammons Tower is a Springfield icon. You can see it from Highway 13, Highway 65 and I-44. Since it is the landmark building in town, it is nice to see it from the road or see the town from the top of the tower. Make reservations to eat at The Tower Club when you can. It's a nice experience. When you see the building from far away, you will have a view of the city in your mind from the top also and a memory of a good meal.

17th Springfield Stop -- Bambino's Cafe

One of Springfield's best kept secrets is Bambino's Cafe (1141 E. Delmar). I absolutely love their salads. They are filled with the extras that make a salad special. The picture that I took above is the Greek salad. The pasta and pizza are also amazing.

16th Springfield Stop -- Hammons Field

In honor of opening week (the weather seems to notice and turn miserable), this post is heralding the Springfield Cardinals. It's fun to go to a game and you always see someone you know -- sometimes even out on the field playing a corny game or throwing out the first pitch.

I guess it won 2005 stadium of the year. That's cool!
http://www.baseballparks.com/Springfield.asp

15th Springfield Stop -- Andy's Frozen Custard

I know that Andy's Frozen Custard has locations in other cities. However, Springfield was where it all started.

I have requested time and time again that they rename the Jitterbug after me -- but they only laugh.

Enjoy!

14th Springfield Stop -- Brad Pitt Museum

Have you been there? It's great!

Happy April Fool's Day!

What do you think -- would you go if it is built?

The Jolie-Pitt's visited Springfield in January. I guess we are cool when we see them in the flesh.

http://www.observer.com/2008/brad-pitt-and-angelina-jolie-find-peace-pizza-missouri

http://www.usmagazine.com/exclusive_pics_brad_pitt_and_angelina_jolie_at_chuck_e_cheeses_with_the_kids

Springfield has been in the national spotlight quite a bit over the past few months -- even without the Pitt name involved.

Here is a clip (it's the last stop on this video) of Carson Daly's Route 66 trip and he says a nice thing about the people of Springfield.

http://www.nbc.com/Last_Call_with_Carson_Daly/video/clips/route-66-part-3/940981

Also, Paul McCartney did the whole Route 66 trip and my future daughter-in-law waited on him and his girlfriend at Andy's Frozen Custard last summer. (We are sorry that we didn't believe her at first.)

http://janetcharltonshollywood.com/gossip/paul_mccartney/paul_mccartney_leaves_people_across_the_usa_doing_double-takes_20080815.php

And, now we are getting press from New York about our cashew chicken!

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/11/dining/11cashew.html

13th Springfield Stop -- The Library Station

I know. I'm a nerd. But you have to admit that the library district in Greene County is the best around. I happen to love the Library Station branch (2535 N. Kansas Expressway) because:

• It is smack dab in the middle of Panera and Big Lots.
  
• You can buy a coffee from Panera and take it into the library and read People magazine (and keep going back for coffee refills).
• If you need to get a room (to study in), they have rooms that you can reserve for some peace and quiet.
• You can put anything you want on hold, they will e-mail you when it is in and you can pick it up by going to the drive-up window. Ah, the power!
• Librarians are just all around nice people. They are no longer variations of the scary woman from your junior high school library.
  

12th Springfield Stop -- Mexican Villa

Mexican Villa has been in Springfield since 1951. You either love it or you don't. Order the cheese dip or the burrito enchilada-style when you go.

11th Springfield Stop -- The Moxie

The Moxie (431 S. Jefferson, #108) is perfect. It keeps the hometown feel and exceptional "I'm a friend" customer service that other theaters always lack -- yet they run like real professionals. They show movies that other theaters are too greedy to show.

10th Springfield Stop -- Jump Mania

We took our two nephews to Jump Mania (2745 S. Kansas Expwy.) on Saturday. It is locally owned. I'm not saying that it was fun for us -- but the nephews got some good exercise. I'm proud when someone in Springfield starts a new business that I can see work in other cities.

9th Springfield Stop -- Shrine Mosque

The Shrine Mosque (601 St. Louis St.) has been a visible part of Springfield since 1923. The circus is held there every year as well as concerts. When I see the building I always think of the gorilla that terrified me as a child when I attended the circus. He was just a person in a gorilla suit, but he came into the audience and "stole" a purse from a lady. I just couldn't handle that! If you are lucky, you can even catch a sight of the elephants walking on the street and into the building. The circus starts today (March 12).

Since I traveled to Italy, I am fascinated with domes and towers. So, once again, this is the angle that I took in my photo.

P.S. Well, I have proof that that the elephants get to be out on the street. They were getting cleaned up while we (Edie, Darla, Karen and me) were at lunch. I took this photo on Edie's iPhone. Now, whenever I go to lunch, I drive by and look for them.

8th Springfield Stop -- Nathanael Greene Park

Nathanael Greene Park (2400 S. Scenic) has something for everyone. Flowers, gardens, paths, playground equipment, green space, sculptures and a pond with geese and ducks. It also has this really cool barn. It is old, but sturdy. When I look at it, I can't help but feel calmer. This is a photo that I took last summer. It will feel good to have summer here again also.

7th Springfield Stop -- Julie's Chewies

These cookies are amazing! Buy them by the dozen and they put them in a lovely box and tissue paper. Julie's Chewies is located at 1325 S. Glenstone and they also deliver.

6th Springfield Stop -- Drury Stone Chapel

Stone Chapel is Springfield's oldest stone structure. It was built in 1876, destroyed by fire in 1882 and rebuilt by 1892.

It is a landmark and Springfield treasure.

5th Springfield Stop -- Tea Bar & Bites

Tea Bar & Bites (612 S. Pickwick) is the perfect place to take a date or your mother or grandmother or a group of friends. It is cozy and homey and the food is wonderful and comforting. The lemonade is the best I've had (and you can have many refills of it based on experience).

If you go on a warm day, you can also sit in the beautiful courtyard. It's almost as if you are at a cafe' in Italy. They also have theme nights so you can really pretend like you are in another country. The owner, Colleen Smith, told me that they have been open for five years.

I didn't capture the cool of the place when I took my photos. So, I am using this photo that I took of their bell tower. If you haven't been there, you just need to go and you will know what I'm talking about.

4th Springfield Stop -- Fellows Lake

Fellows Lake is north of Springfield. It's rustic and usually not very busy. It is perfect for fishing from the bank and letting your dog off the leash (for a little bit) to fetch a ball or stick in the water. Hey, a Lab must swim just like a duck must swim!

http://mdc4.mdc.mo.gov/applications/moatlas/AreaSummaryPage.aspx?txtAreaID=9118&txtUserID=guest

3rd Springfield Stop -- The Pizza House

The Pizza House (312 E. Commercial St.) is a wonderful place to get thin crust pizza and a great salad -- get the big one. It has been around for 50 years so they know what they are doing.

2nd Springfield Stop -- Kick the K-man

Move Springfield's metal monster on a beautiful day at Jordan Valley Park. It's great exercise for you and he really seems to enjoy it also.

1st Springfield Stop -- Hong Kong Inn

A Springfield resident should have already eaten at Hong Kong Inn (1645 N. Glenstone Ave.) or be making plans to eat here. Especially if you have lived in Springfield when you were young and poor. (Before you became a food snob.) Back in the day when hot and cheap was still what you were aiming for in your culinary options. The special (pictured above) is more than one person should eat and still under $4 all day.

We had a couple of snow (ice) days and Drury was cancelled. Amazing! I took a photo of my very photogenic dog. He is also amazing.