Village of Elsah

Just North of Alton, Illinois is a Village called Elsah which is on the National Historic Register. 

This is a great place to stop and explore the historic buildings. In 1853 James Semple offered free lots in the village to anyone who would build using stone from the his quarry and by 1861 the village was built up.

The village served as the shipping headquarters for the local farmers but diminished in importance with the coming of the railroads. Today it is a popular stop on the Sam Vadalabene Bike Trail.

We did a quick “Look-see” on our drive along the Great River Road and enjoyed our brief stop.

A virtual tour of the village can be found at:  http://www.elsah.org/

The village is just off the Great River Road which is one of the prettiest drives you can take

A quick ride at Rocheport

We had a few hours of daylight as we were driving across Missouri so we stopped and rode the KATY Trail from Rocheport east. We got about 10 miles in and enjoyed the peaceful ride.

A Few Days at Pere Marquette State Park

Pere Marquette State Park is named for the first European to cross into the area. It is the largest state park in Illinois and is an enormous asset with a rich history including Indian burial mounds, educational displays, big bluffs, hiking and biking trails, sweeping river views and winter  populations of the majestic bald eagles. In the fall it is known for its vivid fall foliage.

The Lodge has a dining room famous for it's fried chicken. We can attest to the fact the reputation is well deserved.

The Civilian Conservation Corp built the Lodge in the 1930's. Quite the history to keeping young men employed in that time period.

A bronze Pere Marquette overlooks the cabins adjacent to the lodge

The Lodge gathering area  is beautiful

Large chairs overlook the river

The dining room is very nice

Exploring the grounds of the State Park

Starting the bike trail ride in front of the Lodge

Barn from the time of the Civil War

Bike trail follows the highway

The trail goes thru some rather steep sections that give good views and have long bridges over ravines

The  trail gives good views of the ferry taking traffic across the river

Memorial to Pere Marquette along the bike trail

You get an appreciation of how deep the flood waters get when you see what levels homes have to be built at to clear the floods. The bike trails are just now being cleared of mud from the floods of December

This is a more aesthetically appealing treatment of raising a house above the flood waters instead of stilts

The drive on the bluffs above the Lodge offer wonderful views. This view shows the Indian burial mound

Julie at one of the overlooks

The campground at the park is quite nice

You can watch tow boats and barges on the river