For the past few months I have been working with Paul and Caleb the founders for XploreGEO and have been building many quests to upload to the database when the game launches in early 2023. My job has been to create quests for cities around America. I have explored and researched 100s of amazing locations, which in XploreGEO we call “Markers”. I have always been very interested in travel and exploration my whole life, but as they say “life happens” and I never got to do the type of travel I really desired. As with many after becoming an empty nester I have found that my life has changed drastically. I have much more time on my hands. So when Paul and Caleb offered me the contract to create quests for XploreGEO the game I jumped at the opportunity.
This was a perfect chance to mix my desire to travel with my skills as a researcher. Creating quests has been truly eye opening for me, and I was doing great with over 25 quests created and over 500+ markers researched and documented. Then, Paul asked me to create a quest for the scariest and most haunted places in America on a full moon night, now I’m not sleeping so well! With that said, it has been an amazing experience exploring and researching 100s of locations all over America and I’m looking forward to creating many more quests.
This week I managed to find myself traveling to Jefferson City Missouri and in preparation for traveling to Jefferson City I decided to skip ahead and create the quest for Jefferson City. The great part is I got paid to research great places to visit and explore while I’m actually visiting Jefferson City.
This past weekend on a pretty fall Missouri day I took a break from creating quests and decided to go on a real quest and pretend I was playing XploreGEO the game and go find some “Markers”. Of course I made the mistake of telling Paul I was going take a break and go pretend to play XploreGEO, and he said “Great take lots of pictures, take notes and write a blog about it for the website when you get home” – Good Grief me and my big mouth – LOL.
So here is my entry for my first ever blog on my first ever “Adventure Quest” playing XploreGEO.
Please let me know what you think of my first blog, my first quest pretending to play XploreGEO, and the locations I visited in Jefferson City in the comments below (my contract depends on it).
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The Historic Jefferson City, Missouri quest has over 35 plus markers (locations) to find plus numerous challenges to do. I searched and explored 15 of these markers as an XploreGEO explorer for the Jefferson City, Missouri quest:
- Lewis and Clark Monument
- Missouri State Capitol
- Fountain of the Centaurs
- Bicentennial Bridge/Deborah Cooper Park
- Carnahan Memorial Garden
- Governor’s Mansion, Jefferson City Mural
- Unique Creations, Missouri State Penitentiary
- Prison Brews
- Red Wheel Bike Shop
- Missouri River Bridge and Pedestrian/Bike Bridge
- Missouri River Bridge bluff view
- Runge Conservation Nature Center
- Lutz’s BBQ.
To view the rest of the markers and challenges for this quest download the app (Launching early 2023) once it launches and pick this quest. It was so fun and interesting.
Lewis and Clark Monument
The first marker I found and explored was the Lewis and Clark Monument. The monument is on the corner of Capitol Avenue and Jefferson Street. The five figure monument represents the journey of Meriwether Lewis and William Clark through Missouri. It has a small waterfall below it. The challenge at this marker is to locate the second larger waterfall that is close by. You will get points for completing the challenge on the XploreGeo app (launching early 2023). I found the waterfall!
Missouri State Capitol
The next marker I explored was the Missouri State Capitol. There is a lot to explore inside and outside. All four floors of the Capitol are open to the public. Inside there is the grand staircase, huge chandelier, art throughout the building, Missouri State Museum on the ground floor, sculptures, and more. Outside there are memorials, fountains, statues, and scenic views of the Missouri River and Missouri River bridge. So much to see and learn! I recommend a guided tour.
There are a couple of challenges inside the Capitol. One of them is to take a selfie with the clown statue of Emmett Kelly Sr. Then, enter into the XploreGeo app (launching early 2023) what happens. Upload the picture, you will earn more points. I took a picture of the statue and it is amazing. I will keep it a secret so you can find out for yourself.
Here’s a few pictures inside the Capitol.
Now, let’s go outside the Capitol to search for the Fountain of the Centaurs marker and explore all there is to see.
Bicentennial Bridge/Deborah Cooper Park
On to the next marker….. Bicentennial Bridge/Deborah Cooper Park. This was just opened in December 2021. The Bicentennial Bridge takes you down to Deborah Cooper Park on Adrian’s Island. You can explore the riverfront park, watch the sun set, take in the spectacular views of the river, enjoy the trains coming and going…. Hammocks were recently added for some riverfront relaxation!
I found the Bicentennial Checkerboard that is a challenge on the XploreGeo app for this marker! So cool. There’s a sign that explains the pictures and meaning of the checkerboard.
Now on to the next part of my adventure quest – the Carnahan Memorial Garden and Governor’s Mansion markers.
Carnahan Memorial Garden
The Carnahan Memorial Garden was constructed in the late 1930s. The site is filled with flowers, pools, and walkways. No matter what season it is beautiful to visit. Many events and weddings take place here. It is a popular place to take pictures for prom, high school Senior, engagement, family, and a selfie! I love going in the Spring. The garden is full of beautiful, colorful tulips and budding Dogwood trees.
The Governor's Mansion
The Governor’s Mansion has been the official residence of Missouri’s Governors since 1872 and is one of the oldest governors’ homes in the United States. It is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. They say it is haunted – The daughter of Governor Thomas Crittenden, Carrie, died of diphtheria. After her death, she was once seen in the attic by a worker. Other odd events are moving objects, phantom footsteps, audible voices, and eerie laughter. The fountain outside is a statue of Carrie – see picture below. There are also two boy statues on the fountain. One modeled after the Governor’s grandson and the other of an African-American boy who stayed in the Mansion barn. Tours are available to see and learn the history inside and out of the Mansion.
Jefferson City Mural
After the Mansion I went to explore downtown to find the Jefferson City mural marker. It’s one of the challenges on the XploreGEO app for this quest. I was happy to find it! A great selfie spot!
Unique Creations in the Tennessee House
Next I took a walk through the Historic downtown. Lots of shops, restaurants, bars, and businesses. Many of the buildings are on the National Register of Historic Places. I found my next marker – Unique Creations. They are located in “The Tennessee House” which is entered on the National Register of Historic Places. The challenge at this marker is to create your own candle and upload a selfie of you creating your candle to the XploreGEO app. It was fun choosing the fragrances for my very own candle. They helped me blend my fragrance choices and create it. Great experience!
The Missouri State Penitentiary
I got in my car to head to the next marker on my adventure quest which was The Missouri State Penitentiary. It is an historic landmark. Visitors can choose to take a history, ghost, or photography tour. Also, available are paranormal investigations. The site was dubbed “the bloodiest 47 acres in America” by Time (the gas chamber was the site of 40 executions between 1937 and 1989). This is a must see place to tour and visit. I have done the history tour and it is fascinating. My son and I also did the Prison Break Run in the past. It usually takes place in August. Runners start out in the prison then set out on a 3+ mile course full of wall climbs, mud pits, army crawls, waterslide, barrels, and more.
Prison Brews
After the Penitentiary I got a bit hungry. I decided to escape to the next marker close by – Prison Brews. It has a jail-themed setting and it is a unique brewpub. Some of the beers on tap: Go To Jail Ale, I Aint Your Honey Wheat, Prison Town, Big House IPA, Deathrow Oatmeal. The food is delicious. Wood fired pizza made in a brick oven and their Oktoberfest Beer is popular right now during Fall. They have a large outdoor patio and bocce courts.
Red Wheel Bike Shop
Off to the next marker on the Jefferson City quest in XploreGEO – Red Wheel Bike Shop. For this marker’s challenge, rent a bicycle from Red Wheel Bike Shop and tour historic downtown Jefferson City and/or take a ride across the Missouri River Bridge which is the next marker!!
Missouri River Bridge
Missouri River Bridge and Pedestrian/Bike Bridge marker – Pedestrians and bicyclists can easily and safely cross the Missouri River Bridge to travel back and forth between north Jefferson City and the heart of the city. Katy Trail users are able to navigate through North Jefferson City and Noren Access to travel up the ramp to the bridge. Awesome views of the Capitol and Missouri River.
Missouri River Bridge Overlook
The next marker was close by which is a hidden gem location. It’s a dead end road on a bluff so it’s best to park your car and walk up to the bluff. Amazing view of the Missouri River bridge and river and the Capitol!!
Runge Nature Center
Since it was such a beautiful Fall day I decided to go explore the Runge Nature Center marker. Outside there are over two miles of hiking trails. Indoor and outdoor scavenger hunts are available.
Inside there are exhibits, an aquarium, indoor wildlife viewing area, nature library, gift shop, hands-on activities.
The XploreGEO challenges for the Runge quest are to climb the 60 ft firetower and take a picture of the view. Another challenge for points is to take a selfie with the big box turtle!!
All that exploring at the Runge Nature Center got me hungry. I went to find a restaurant marker that was on the XploreGEO quest for Jefferson City – Lutz’s BBQ. The restaurant shares space with a gas station. The sign on the outside was correct – it was ‘Smokin Delicious’!!
Their website says – “With our blue ribbon sauces, fall-off-the-fork meats, and down home sides you’ll leave happier than when you came, or I’ll eat my hat.” They have won numerous awards for their BBQ. I love watching them make homemade potato chips. They put a drill in the potato! You pick which seasonings you want to flavor your chips – Parmesan, Cheddar, White Cheddar, Salt & Vinegar, Barbeque, Jalapeno, Ranch, Sour Cream & Chives, Cajun, Salt, Hot & Spicy Cajun, Zesty House. My favorites are the Zesty House and BBQ. You can take home their bottled blue ribbon sauces, too. One of the challenges for this quest is to take a selfie with the big pig that Charlie Daniels signed when he came in to eat at Lutz’s BBQ..
Well I had loads of fun finding markers (locations) on my first ever “Adventure Quest” pretending to play XploreGEO. I’m ready to do another quest!!
