Memorial Day Weekend Final Update By Ernie De Frates
I have decided to stay at the Hampton Inn in Collinsville. It is very close to the interstate, many restaurants and has access to the Schoolhouse Trail. The address is 7 Commerce Drive Collinsville, IL 618-346-4400. To get there take I-55 South and get off at exit 11. Make a left at the light, a left at East Port Plaza Drive and a right on Commerce Drive. I have reserved 8 rooms 4 with king beds and 4 with two double beds for $109 a night plus tax and includes breakfast. I need a $50 deposit on or before May 2nd for any or all three days Friday Saturday or Sunday. On Saturday evening May 24th, I plan on eating in St. Louis "on the hill" at Favazza’s a very good Italian restaurant favazzas.com. Please let me know by May 20th 2008 if you are interested in going.
There is much to do and see for non-riders in St. Louis and the surrounding area I don’t have enough space to list it all. I expect several folks to come down for the day. Please let me know on or before May 20th so I can have trails maps and other important information for you.
All rides start at 9 AM Saturday, Sunday & Monday at the Nature Trail Parking lot at Longfellow avenue and Illinois 159. This is also South Buchanan Street next to the Water Tower that says Historic Leclair District.
For those not staying in Collinsville, these are the directions from Springfield to Edwardsville: Drive I-55 South about 80 miles to exit 23 Edwardsville/Marine. Turn right off the exit onto Illinois 143 You will go about 3 miles to Edwardsville until you come to a stop light. Continue straight ahead about two blocks and turn left at the next stop light. This is North Buchanan Street which becomes South Buchanan Street and eventually Illinois 159. You then continue about 5 blocks You will go past a small grocery store called Market Basket and will shortly go across some concrete road barriers. Turn right at the Water Tower that says Historic Leclair District. This is Longfellow Avenue. You will see a gravel parking lot which is the Nature Trail Parking Lot.