Ladies and gentlemen - Missouri's own - John Ashcroft:
We trekked over to the Land of Lincoln today in search of our nation's symbol - the Bald Eagle. Just prior to crossing the Mississippi River, we spotted our first eagle just roosting in a tree on the Missouri side. As we started to pull away from the parking lot, it took flight - WOW!
We continued over to the Illinois river town of Alton, laughed at the Rod Blagojevich sign, and headed North on the Great Rivers Road to Pere Marquette State Park. We saw many eagles roosting on the side of the river in trees and some sitting on ice blocks in the river. Emily and her "eagle eyes" spotted one flying as well. Did you know that during the winter, eagles only spend about 5% of their day flying or fishing?
After watching a brief movie on Bald Eagles at the visitors center, we headed to an early lunch and then to the free ferry to cross the Illinois River. We were able to exit the car while the ferry was on the river and just before getting back in the car, we spotted an eagle take off from the ice and give us a flying display. Pretty cool.
We then drove to the Winfield Ferry to cross the Mississippi River and while waiting for that ferry (this time, a ferry we had to pay to ride on), we spotted many eagle roosting in the trees, swooping around and flying about our heads. We were just south of Lock and Dam 25 on the Mississippi. The water here has virtually no ice in it and the fishing is plentiful for the eagles.
What an incredible day for not only us, but the kids as well. The eagles will be here until the end of the month and then will fly back North for mating season.
A young Bald Eagle (below). The feathers have yet to change colors. Based on the information we've read, we believe this bird to be about 2 years old.
Ask and ye shall receive. Isn't that the saying???
I have been asking, hoping, wishing for snow days. I love a good snow! Everytime I watch the WGN news and saw Chicago's snows this winter, I was secretly jealous. When my Grandpa in Wisconsin tells me that snow is up to his "hiney", I'm green with envy.
Well, guess what I received this week? SNOW!!
However, I've realized something. I should be more specific when I ask to receive. Next time, I will ask for these days to occur on days when Adam DOESN'T have preschool! I missed having time on Tuesday to do errands, laundry, chores, etc.
Both kids were home both Tuesday and yesterday and by last night, Adam had about pushed me off the edge! Thankfully I have a wonderful husband (who suggested dinner out to give me a break from being in the house) and daughter who made those two days fun!
Anyway, back to the grind with school, chores, errands, etc. I'm majorly enjoying the sound of silence today!
Geraldo drank the Blagojevich Kool-Aid and goes off half-cocked about how Rod is getting railroaded. Never mind that Geraldo, an attorney, has no concept about state law, the Constitution, and the impeachment process.
Milk and egg allergies be damned - nothing like cake on your birthday (and forcing Dad to put your jigsaw puzzle back together)So I'm really behind. Between family, work, and running, I didn't have much time for anything else last week.
We follow a very predictable routine on Christmas Eve. It starts with a trip to Schoops in Highland for hamburgers, followed by the boring but mandatory "Tour de Griffith" that Amy and her parents find just so exciting. After that, we pack up and head to my brother's house for the Kreidler Christmas celebration. Here are some pictures from the day.
We had some good snow in Northwest Indiana over the holidays. Amy took the kids out to make a snowman (something we don't get many chances to do in St. Louis) and they had a great time. Nice use of summer sausage for eyes...
Wow, I'm behind in blogging. We'll start off with some pictures and video from our trip to see my grandparents just after Christmas:
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