What To Do In The Winter, Chapter 6

I'm going to expand on the previous post that I made about Alton, IL and eagle watching. If you want to transform your eagle-watching into a bit more than a day trip and you like a slower pace but nice accommodations, you'll want to visit Pere Marquette State Park and thier Pere Marquette Lodge and Conference Center.

I've personally stayed there more than 5 times. I usually go there to withdraw from the hustle and bustle of suburban life and get back in touch with a setting that's much like the rural area where I grew up.

It's about an hour's trip from Scott Air Force Base and the communities of O'Fallon, Shiloh, Swansea and Belleville, IL. Once you get north of Alton, the trip is beautiful. You'll be going west/north on what's called the Great River Road. What a scenic trip! First, you're following the Mississippi River. Then, once you get into Grafton, you'll be following the Illinois River.

You'll know you're almost to the Lodge becuase you'll see the Brussels Ferry (it corsses over into Calhoun County, IL) on your left. Not much further and you'll see the stone structure off to your right.

Once at Pere Marquette Lodge and Conference Center, you can choose from their 50 lodge guest rooms or their 22 natural stone cabins. However, recommendations are recommended for pretty much every weekend. All accommodations are centrally cooled and heated. The last time I was there (in early 2006) the cabins were a bit "used," but still very peaceful.

There's a dining facility in the lodge. They are famous for their fried chicken meals. However, there are other items on the menu that are prepared with those who don't appreciate what I call "country kitchen fare."

Even though I'd rate the food at 4 out of a possible 5, it's the setting and peace I have gone there for in the past. I still remember going one Winter in advance of about 4 inches of snow. It was an incredibly beautiful scene when I woke up.

In addition to a great setting, the hills up to which the lodge and grounds back, are filled with great, extremely well-marked trails that offer a variety of difficulty, from moderate all the way up to very difficult. Along some of the trails are some beatuiful overlooks of the Illinois and Mississippi rivers.

This is one of those things that you'll have to put on your list of required to-dos during the time you make Scott Air Force Base your home. You won't regret taking some time off to visit this beautiful destination!

If you're thinking of relocating to Scott Air Force Base, or for information on communities, schools or homes for sale in O'Fallon, Belleville, Shiolh, IL and other communities that surround Scott Air Force Base, please go to www.RelocateToScottAirForceBase.com