Looking for Bald Eagles

My wife and I set off on a winter adventure to Alton, Illinois, for the Ice Festival, excited to explore and hopefully spot some eagles along the way. Despite the incoming winter storm, we felt confident in our Subaru with snow tires, knowing we’d be safe on the road. After spending Friday night in Columbia, we finally arrived in Alton and immediately set out to find some eagles.

Unfortunately, our eagle search didn’t go as planned. We drove around for hours, hoping to catch a glimpse of one of these majestic birds, but they seemed to be elusive. Instead, we discovered plenty of other scenic spots and small-town charm while searching. We followed all the local recommendations, visiting well-known eagle watching locations, but it wasn’t until the very end of the day that we finally spotted a couple of eagles perched in a tree. It was a lucky moment, and we were thrilled that the eagles were willing to pose for a few photos.

With our eagle sighting checked off the list, we decided to begin the journey back home. Along the way, we made a stop at Bandana’s Bar-B-Q in St. Ann, Missouri. The food was excellent, and the BBQ sauce was a perfect match for the smoky flavors. If you're ever in the St. Louis area, I’d definitely recommend giving them a try.

After filling up on delicious BBQ, we resumed our drive on I-70. But as the snow started to fall more heavily, we decided to play it safe and find a hotel to finish our drive the next day. It was a wise decision, as the roads quickly became more challenging.

While it was a bit disappointing not to see as many eagles as we’d hoped, the trip was still a success. The journey gave us plenty of time together, and we enjoyed the moments we did get to experience. The memories made, the scenic drives, the BBQ, and of course, the eagles made for a wonderful winter getaway.