 or Kansas City condominium dwellers Lloyd Parker and Leo Andrade, the weekends can’t come soon enough. And when Friday does at long last roll around and the two head for their cozy weekend getaway in Arrow Rock, Missouri, their goal is to make the moments last as long as possible.
No packing up on Sunday afternoon for these two. They have lingering perfected to a science. “If we’re ready to head out the door with our dogs by 6 a.m. Monday morning, we can make it to work on time,” says Leo.
Their fool-the-eye weekend retreat has passersby certain the home is as old as other structures in the local historical district. “People will pass by the house, then circle back,” explains Leo. “Did you redo the place?” they’ll ask. When Leo and Lloyd tell them it’s new, they profusely apologize. But no one is offended. “We just smile and tell them, ‘No, we meant it to look that way.’”
The town of Arrow Rock dates back to 1829. It boasts a population of 70,
and that may even be stretching things a bit, according to Leo. Because the town is on the national historical registry, any proposed new structures must be approved by the appropriate channels. Leo drew up the plans for the little cabin on
his computer and had them fine-tuned by an architect before
presenting them to the review board.
Leo and Lloyd’s careful planning and attention to detail resulted in a weekend home with the feel of a much larger place. Features such as pocket doors in the bathroom that open up into a guest room, large porches that expand the home
both visually and functionally, and a built-in daybed in the living room for reading or a nap are but a few of the thoughtful,
innovative touches.
Forays to antiques shops, and estate and garage sales have paid off as well. Take the wrought-iron headboard, for instance. Before Leo and Lloyd brought it into a local ironsmith, it had been a fully functional gate. “I’m sure he was thinking, ‘These two nuts want me to weld this into a headboard?’” laughs Leo.
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The weekend home is equally welcoming in the winter as in the summer months because of easy-upkeep details such as paver bricks used for flooring. “We can haul in firewood, track in snow and have the dogs coming in and out without having to worry,” they say. Whether entertaining family or friends or just enjoying the peace and quiet of a town time seems to have
forgotten, the men revel in their retreat for all seasons. You won’t find a television in the place, however. Instead, there are stereo speakers in every room, even the back porch. “Both of our families are always offering to buy us a color T.V.,” the two laugh, “but without a television, you’re so much more apt to relax and read.”
The atmosphere of Arrow Rock is so laid back, the streets don’t have signs and there aren’t any numbers on the houses. One calling for directions to Lloyd and Leo’s would simply be told: “Turn left at the schoolhouse and go past Miss Ada’s.”
(Miss Ada has been gone for 15 years, but her memory lives on.) “It was a real hoot when Home Depot tried to deliver a
refrigerator to us,” quips Leo.
“There’s such a sense of belonging here,” the two agree. In the winter, there’s Game Night at the old schoolhouse, where everyone brings a casserole and has a great time. The local summer stock theater, started in 1969, is the backbone of the summer tourist season—drawing 35,000 people each year. And neighbors are sure to beckon: “We’re cooking out. Come on over.”
 The Friends of Arrow Rock number 600 active members, which is funny, observes Leo, since the town only has 70 people. “It’s a real community. There are always programs for the school kids, craft festivals and, of course, the theater. It’s exceptional, especially for this day and time. We love it!”
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