This weekend I was lucky enough to catch a glimpse of this stunning rainbow arching across the Mississippi River along the Great River Road between Grafton and Alton, Illinois. This is one of the nation's most beautiful and scenic drives and one of my favorite places on earth. If you'd like to live along or near the Great River Road -- also known as the Meeting of the Great Rivers National Scenic Byway -- check out the following links to homes for sale and real estate in Grafton, Elsah, Alton, Godfrey and other towns in our region. See something you like? Call me at 618-791-8007 or email Nancy@GoshenRealtyGroup.com. Homes for sale in Grafton, IL Homes for sale in Elsah, IL Homes for sale in Golden Eagle, IL Homes for sale in Godfrey, IL Homes for sale in Alton, IL 07/07/2011

  This time of year vacationers flock to the Jersey Shore, the beaches of Florida, the sands of California, the Great Lakes and all of the water-paradise destinations this great country has to offer. But I love the gorgeous scenery and recreational opportunities in our own back yard here on the eastern banks of the Mississippi River in St. Louis' Illinois suburbs. Check it out. This is why I call our little part of America, "The Middle Coast":   While there are many attractions here, below is a list of some of the marinas, outfitters and visitor information centers to help active visitors enjoy a trip from Alton to Grafton, Illinois and beyond along the 33-mile stretch of the Meeting of the Great Rivers National Scenic Byway where the Mississippi and Missouri rivers meet. Enjoy! Alton C... 07/18/2010

Most of my blog posts are more about words than pictures, but today I was graced with the opportunity to view the most magnificent sunset and I had to share it with you. Like much of the nation, here in St. Louis' Illinois suburbs we've been in a deep freeze for a number of days.  At the confluence of America's great rivers -- the Mississippi and Missouri -- sub freezing weather can mean ice jams in the waterways. It also means that the bald eagles have returned to the region during their annual winter migration. Combine the beauty of the frozen river and the chance to see these magnificent birds in their natural habitat and you have the perfect reason to travel along the Great River Road (officially called the Meeting of the Great Rivers National Scenic Byway) from Alton to Grafton, Il... 01/10/2010

My brother flew in from Georgia today for a brief surprise visit for our mother's birthday.  It was such a magnificent day, with temperatures reaching well into the 60s, that we decided to take a drive up the Meeting of the Great Rivers Scenic Byway (the River Road to us locals) to check out the new Grafton Winery. It did not disappoint. The winery opened in early December and is attracting and delighting new customers daily. The well-designed facility offers expansive decks overlooking the Mississippi River. Glass doors on garage-style openers can be raised to create an open-air atmosphere throughout the building.  We sampled a variety of wines at the tasting bar before settling on Harbor Red, a terrific blend of Syrah, Cabernet and Zinfandel that tasted of dark fruits and raisins as i... 02/06/2009

A visit to Pere Marquette State Park along the Illinois River is another great winter activity in our part of Southwestern Illinois.  Named after the French Jesuit missionary -- Pere Jacques Marquette who traveled down the Mississippi with mapmaker Louis Joliet in 1673 to look for a passage to the Pacific Ocean -- the lodge was built as part of the government's Civilian Conservation Corps projects in the 1930s. Its massive wooden beams and gorgeous native stonework are a delight for lodge design lovers. Surrounding the structure are 8,000 acres of beautiful, forested land rolling with hiking trails and a driving route that climbs high over the lodge. You can visit for the day or stay overnight in the lodge's hotel rooms or in one of 22 individual cabins. (If you're planning a weekend vi... 01/11/2009