Dad Hikes: Sunflowers and Ferry Rides

Our adventure included fields of golden sunflowers and a Mississippi River ferry ride.

Columbia Bottom Conservation Area

From late July to early August sunflowers are planted at the Columbia Bottom Conservation Area. The flowers are in bloom and we decided to check them out.

Driving There

The conservation area is about three miles north of Interstate 270 on Riverview Drive along the Mississippi River until it becomes Columbia Bottom Road entering near the visitor’s center.

Look for these sunflower signs that help guide you around.

We took the main road in and went by a sunflower plot and saw it filled with people.

I had found out online that there were many plots and headed for another one.

Here we walked through the flowers and I stopped and showed Andrew the bees obtaining nectar from the flowers.

The last sunflower plot included a large field of sunflowers that were in bloom.

We headed into the field checking out the flowers and watching the busy bees.

“I am ready to leave the flowers,” my son Andrew said. So we decided to keep driving through the conservation area.

Missouri River Boat Ramp

At the conservation area’s boat ramp along the Missouri River, a short trail led to a lookout. I pointed out a turtle in the muddy brown water. We looked for snakes and other wildlife. Fishermen were nearby hoping to catch a catfish and David came across some red wildflowers for Andrew to see.

Confluence

The road at Columbia Bottom Conservation Area to the confluence of the Mississippi River and Missouri River was closed due to past flooding. You can park along the main road and walk up the road to it but it was not something Andrew wanted to do after walking around the sunflowers so we’ll have to check it out another time.

Also, there are hiking trails in this area, but the flooding has damaged them, hopefully, they can return this area to its former glory next time we go here.

Our Lady of the Rivers

The next adventure was to see the Our Lady of the Rivers Shrine in Portage Des Sioux. A fiberglass statue rises 25 feet high mounted on a 20-foot concrete pedestal.

The monument with the Illinois bluffs in back. — The monument with the Illinois Bluffs in the back.

History of the Monument

The monument on the Mississippi River was created in 1951 when raging river waters threatened to destroy Portage Des Sioux. The community pulled together and prayed to Mary, who was given the title, Our Lady of the Rivers. The floodwaters receded and the community was saved. The shrine is dedicated to the memory of that event and a reminder of the tremendous power of nature.

Our Time Here

The walkout to it is short but cool. The town still faces floods. The day we were there a large tree was propped near the front of the walkway to the monument showing the forces of the river.

Along the walk, there are stone tablets that explain the history of Portage Des Sioux. The village’s name is from when “in 1815 representatives of the Indian tribes arrived in several thousand canoes to negotiate a peace treaty with white settlers.”

The village also has a historic church St. Francis of Assisi Church. The first chapel was built in 1813. The present church was constructed in 1879.

Grafton Ferry

Near Portage Des Sioux, we were not far from the Grafton Ferry that we could take visit the town of Grafton with its many restaurants and shops.

The Ride

We had a short wait and I took some photos of the river and the distant Illinois cliffs. It is a longer ride than the ones we take across the Illinois River.

It was also more scenic since we went by tree-filled islands and a large barge was coming up the river. It was a busy day on the river with fast-moving speedboats and families out on pontoon boats enjoying the day.

Grafton Ferry Ride

Lunch Stop

Arriving near Grafton we headed north to go to the Mel’s Riverdock restaurant in Hardin Illinois.

Brussels Ferry in the fall when we usually take it when the leaves are changing.

We took the Brussels Ferry going over the Illinois River this time crossing into Calhoun County.

From the Riverdock, I ordered us catfish fritters, sweet potato chips with cinnamon butter and a cheeseburger, and for dessert their whipped cream chocolate caramel delight mudslide pie.

We ate in the hatch of the SUV backing up to the end of the parking area that had views of the Illinois River. Here boats pulled in and out of the river.

The nearby Hardin bridge lifts up at times to let barge traffic move below. It is always cool to see the bridge in action, sadly not today.

Pere Marquette State Park

St. Louis area skyline in the far distance.

On the drive home, we stopped at Pere Marquette State Park to do a short hike along the river bluffs that the park is known for.

The state park began in 1932 and Civilian Conservation Corps created a lodge, campsites, and roads. The park is made up of 8,000 acres and includes trails, horseback riding, campgrounds, cabins, lodges, a visitor’s center, and a restaurant.

Our Short Hike

From a bluff, we saw the distant skyline of St. Louis, Missouri. Below were the Illinois River valley and wooded hills. Here we also saw some deer crossing the road. It had become hot so we didn’t hike too long and then headed for home after a busy day of ferries, short hikes, and admiring nature for us all.

We usually go to Pere Marquette State Park in the fall when the leaves change and it is cooler and probably will do this again come October.

Andrew in a field by Our Lady of the Rivers Shrine

DETAILS

Columbia Bottoms

Hours: Sunrise to sunset

Admission: Free

Address: 801 Strodtman Rd, St. Louis, MO 63138

Our Lady of the Rivers

Hours: Sunrise to sunset (can be closed if it is flooded)

Admission: Free

Address: 1553 River View Dr, Portage Des Sioux, MO 63373

Grafton Ferry

Hours: Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and on Sunday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. during the summer. (Go to their Facebook page for more information.)

Admission: $8 per vehicle or $15 round trip

Address: (Missouri Side) St Charles-Grafton Ferry Dr, Portage Des Sioux, MO 63373 (Illinois Side) Water St, Grafton, IL 62037