What's in Alton, Illinois??

Hey there cutie...whatcha lookin' at?!?!

**BALD EAGLES**

We took a short road trip to Alton, Illinois today. The area is the home to nearly 2000 bald eagles that migrate to the Middle Mississippi River Valley during the winter. We had fun as we spotted eagles and pulled off the road to observe them!

I love this shot...they're all into the eagle!

Yep, that's a frozen Mississippi River behind my girl...she looks like an Eskimo :)

This is an eagle's nest that some locals told us about. Apparently, it's been there for a number of years and a pair of eagles return to it yearly.

After some eagle viewing, we traveled a little farther to Grafton, Illinois to eat the Fin Inn; it was a recommendation by a friend who grew up in the area, thanks Mark! It was a neat place: aquariums at each table, good ole' fried catfish, and an unexpected surprise! Greg had spoken very briefly with an older gentleman sitting near us. He was wearing an AF hat which initiated small talk; he told us he has a grandson in the AF and that he, himself had been in the military. As we were eating, our waitress told us that the man behind us had paid for our bill. Greg did get a chance to thank him and in return the man told Greg "thanks for your service to our country." How touching and so very unexpected!

After lunch, we went back through Alton and had dessert at a small cafe that was recommended. It was cozy and yummy...the kids had a blondie with ice cream, Greg had a slice of warm chocolate pie with coconuts and pecans on top and I had apple praline pie :)

A little lighthouse on the river's edge in Grafton.

-this was one of the many barges pushing through the icy river-

We had a nice outing; I always enjoy doing things that are local to the area. I suppose that's one of the perks of being in the military... traveling and sightseeing in so many different places!