This weekend was a real river weekend!
Part I, on Saturday, was a tour mainly along the Great River Road in Illinois. Part II, on Sunday, was a Canoe Trip on the Meramec River. This entry concerns Part I. If you want to experience a trip similar to ours, just follow the instructions below. A post on the Canoe Trip will follow soon.

Setting off in St. Louis near Forest Park, go downtown, view the arch, and start your trip along the riverfront of the Mississippi. First, cross the border to Illinois, then keep going north on the highway until you cross the great river on the Clark bridge.

Shortly before you arrive Alton, make a stop-off at the National Great Rivers Museum and take a guided tour on Melvin Price Locks and Dam.

Get back into the car and explore Alton. Continue your trip along the Mississippi. You will meet the PIASA (pronounced: pie-a-saw) and its legend engraved in stone before you reach the point where Illinois River and Mississippi meet.

Keep going along the Illinois until you hit Grafton. You might stop here for Lunch. Catfish or Buffalofish are local delicacies.

Continue your trip along the River to Pere Marquette Park. You can go hiking here or just drive uphill by car to enjoy great scenic overlooks.

If you are still not sick of the road, you might ride up route 100 and cross the river at Hardin. On the other side, go further north to Kampsville (from where its only 20 more minutes to Detroit). Use the ferry to cross back to the east riverbank. From here, go back south.

Along soybean fields, Route 67 takes you to Alton again. From there you might head further to South St. Louis. Once you pass the horseschoe lake, you are close to Cahokia Mounds. If the museum is still open, it’s worth visiting. If not — or in addition — cross the street and experience WOODHENGE (a wooden solar calendar) and the MONK MOUND (walk up four terraces, enjoy the beautiful view).

Finally, go back to Missouri: Cross the Mississippi passing from South St. Louis to St. Louis Downtown and aim for Forest Park.

A great trip — but for my taste, long a drive.