Staying at Pere Marquette State Park. It was more lovely than I imagined Illinois could be! (No offense.) The park is just beyond Grafton, IL, and the drive follows a 20 or 30 mile stretch of road that follows the rivers--the 3 rivers--where the Missouri, the Mississippi, and Illinois rivers merge. There were even some hills and mild cliffs above the road, and you could almost close your eyes and imagine yourself driving along the coastal highway in California! :)
First night sunset...
A gorgeous Sat. morning scenic drive...
a wee bit of hiking...
In the State park visitor's center they have this LIVE bald eagle viewing... I just want to know -- how did they rig the camera up there?
Saturday afternoon we went in town a found this lovely little winery, with a deck overlooking the river, and a delightful jazz band playing, and I thought to myself... WHY don't we ever do this? I love live music!!
Down on the riverfront was a lovely little lighthouse...
And a romantic dinner for two at the Mississippi Half Step
On the way out, we stopped at the Piasa bird caves, a local legend of a dragon-like bird that explorers wrote about when they first crossed into this land...
Do you think he makes a good Piasa?
THANK YOU, MY HONEY, for planning such a special weekend. So many things I love-- exploring nature, beauty, rest, music, engaging conversation... And THANK YOU AUNT JULIE for keeping the girls for cousins weekend so we could get away!
Here's to 12 years of living life together, in the joys and the heartaches, and the plain 'ol everyday days... there's no other partner I'd rather walk with on this journey!
1 comment:
Way to go, Jim!!! Gorgeous photos! Looks like you had a wonderful time. So happy for you both! Happy Anniversary.
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