Story assignment turns into love affair

Freelance writers Don and Judy Schnable visited Cape Girardeau over the past two days to gather information for a feature story they're writing about the area. As they leave, the couple realizes they may have found their future home.

After visiting sites such as the Mississippi River floodwall mural, Trail of Tears State Park and Bollinger Mill, the Schnables have fallen in love with the area.

These Cape Girardeau County sites and several others will be featured on the "Mid America Outdoors" magazine Web site within the next few days and an article will appear in the November issue of the "River Hills Traveler" magazine.

"We were originally sent here to do coverage on just these sites but there are so many other important things to cover as well," Don said. "You can't cover this area in the two days we were here."

Places such as the historic St. Vincent's Church, the Bill Emerson Memorial Bridge and the Bellevue Bed and Breakfast will also be mentioned in the article.

While visiting the area's treasured spots, the Schnables, who have worked as freelance writers for the past four years, decided Cape Girardeau is where they want to retire. Currently, the couple resides in Isabella, Mo.

"We've been picking up a bunch of information to move here," Don said. "We were very impressed with Cape."

The Schnables were especially impressed with the downtown's river wall mural.

Don, a former St. Louis police officer, said he first came to Cape Girardeau in 1959 while traveling.

"It's changed so much since then," he said. "You just get a good feeling about this city, everyone is so friendly."

The magazine's Web site, www.mwbt.com, is one of the largest Internet magazines in the country, Don Schnable said. "River Hills Traveler Magazine" is located at various convenience stores throughout Cape Girardeau.

jfreeze@semissourian.com