Great River Road

I had recently read a book entitled The Flight of the Piasa and this peaked my interest in visiting the drawing that the book was based upon. I had heard the legend before but had never actually visited the site so I was anxious to take some photos.

The drawing is on the bluffs overlooking the Mississippi just about 1 mile past the downtown Alton area. There is a nice little park area with plenty of parking for anyone wanting to get out and take photos or walk on the nearby trails.

Here is a photo that I took of the Piasa drawing on the bluffs.


The Piasa by mbgphoto
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As you visit the town of Elsah you feel that you have stepped back into an earlier time. It is a very small town, but everything is well maintained from the small stone cottage type homes to the lovely gardens surrounding the homes.

I thought this church in charming looked really in character for a 19th century looking town.


O Come Let us Worship by mbgphoto
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There were several wineries in Grafton. It seems that the grapes are grown not far from this small river town. The Piasa Winery was recommended to us by a friend so we stopped to taste some of their wines. They had a nice variety of red and white wines and offered free tasting to those that stopped by.

The winery also offered food and various beers and the atmosphere was great. They had both indoor and outdoor seating and the view from their back deck was looking out onto the river. It was a nice relaxing place to spend some time. Oh...and the people who worked their were very friendly

When we stopped at the scenic overlook I looked down and saw lots of butterflies all feasting on some thistle plants. You can even see a butterfly waiting his turn to get to the thistle.


Butterflies on Thistle by mbgphoto
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