Wednesday Wanderings: A Stroll Around Hannibal

This was not the first time that we visited Hannibal (MO). However, all our other visits took place during the summer. I have to say that I missed the stalls selling fresh lemonade – but mid-December temperatures and ice cold lemonade do not go really well together. This time I had the opportunity to stroll around Hannibal by myself. It is a quaint little place - a small, sleepy town on the banks of the mighty Mississippi. It still has an old-time feel and charm to it. The main street is lined with art galleries, antique shops and small boutiques.

Every year Hannibal receives thousands of visitors from all over the world. Its main claim to fame, of course, is that it was the boyhood home of Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain). I am sure that the boy who is now known to the world as Mark Twain would have no difficulty recognizing the town of his childhood because it is delightfully well-preserved.

Hannibal is a place where I love wandering around and staring at all those things which, to me, look so wonderfully different to everything I am used to. From its reddish-brown brick buildings,

to its unique signs

and grandiose banks that are no longer in use,

this is one of those places where I hope that time will continue to stand still.

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During our recent visit last December, my husband was given the opportunity to exhibit his painting at the  Hannibal Alliance Art Gallery. Most of his paintings were inspired by Malta and by places we visit on our travels like Venice and the Tuscan countryside. You may read more about his art show on his blog  Creative Canvas. Below are some of the paintings. In case anyone is interested, a number of these are still for sale.