be happy for this moment.

I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel's sake.

The great affair is to move.

Robert Louis Stevenson

Nick and I are trying to get out at least once a week and do something a little touristy or at least hit a "must see" spot in St. Louis. Recently, we've done the Missouri History Mueseum, St. Louis Zoo and then this past Saturday headed out to Alton, Illinois to see the eagles. Alton is about a half hour drive and just over the Mississippi from St. Louis.

Bridge from Missouri to Illinois

In case you were wondering, Nick is in Alton

Alton's claim to fame is that is it the winter nesting location for nearly 1,000 American Bald Eagles each January as they head from the north. We started at the visitor's center to pick up maps and were greeted by an eagle hanging out behind the desk (smart eagle, inside with the heat!).

Eagle at the visitor's center

We then visted the National Great Rivers Museum next to the Lock & Dam. No eagles to be seen but neat to see the locks at work with the barges on the Mississippi.

At the locks and dam

Then we went north and spotted about 10 eagles perched on the trees near Great Rivers Park. I find it so unusal to see them in the wild so it was neat to see a whole group of them just hanging out!

Eagle in the tree along the Mississippi

According to our St. Louis friends, a trip to Alton is not complete without a stop at Fast Eddie's Bon Air. With 99 cent hamburgers and free popcorn to munch on while your order is prepared it was worth the wait!

The place was packed and we were informed by the local couple in front of us that we had to try a bit of everything. We split a hamburger, bratwurst, french fries and an "Big Elwood on a Stick" steak kabob for just over $6.

Outside Fast Eddie's

So even though it was really cold and we didn't see as many eagles as I had hoped it was a nice little Saturday and something to check off of our "St. Louis To Do List!"