SCENIC DRIVE CONTINUES TO EXPAND

Just on of many historic Lutheran treasures in Altenburg.

Henry and Jane (Bess) Sitzes Log Homestead in Marquand.

The River Ridge Winery in Commerce.

The stone commemorating the Saxon landing in Wittenberg.

Old McKendree National Methodist Shrine near Jackson.

Our Lady of St. Joseph Shrine in Apple Creek.

With each passing year the Mississippi River Valley Scenic Drive continues to expand to include more Heartland treasures for motor tourists to visit during the two-day event.

Last year the driving tour opened up to include new stops in Scott County and this year the drive will include stops in Perryville.

The southern leg of the tour includes stops at Diebold Orchards off exit 80 on I-55. From there travel a short distance west on Highway 77 to Route E and travel due east on Route E until you reach Commerce where you can tour the Anderson House, which dates to 1847, the Commerce Museum, St. Paul's United Methodist Church which dates to 1889, The Wright Place and a Civil War encampment.

Before you leave Commerce take a short drive north on County Road 321 to the River Ridge Winery. Here you can enjoy a picnic overlooking the Mississippi River at one of the picnic tables located throughout the vineyard. Also take a look at the winery's showroom and learn a little bit about how wines are made on the premises.

The scenic drive activities in Cape Girardeau will be an antique car display and a flea market.

Due west of Cape Girardeau near the intersection of Routes Z and OO on Route Z in suburban Gordonville, don't miss out touring the church and grounds of the Zion United Methodist Church of Gordonville, which celebrates its 150th anniversary this year.

Tour stops in and around Jackson include the Bollinger Mill State Park in Burfordsville just off Highway 34, The St. Louis Iron Mountain Railroad located near the junction of Highways 25, 61 and 72 in Jackson, Trisha's Bed and Breakfast located at 203 S. Bellevue in Jackson, the Veteran's Memorial located near the intersection of Highway 61 and Route D in Jackson and Rocky Holler located off Highway 61 north of Jackson.

The western leg of the tour includes the White Barn on Highway 34 east of Marble Hill, the Circle R Ranch located on Route DD northwest of Marble Hill, Marquand near the intersection of Routes DD, F and A, Hideaway Cafe at the junction of Routes A and O and the Sycamore Valley Artesian Well located off Route O on County Road 872.

In Marble Hill, tour the Bollinger County Courthouse, which was built in 1885, see Wicecarver's Store, the senior citizens center and Massey Log House, which dates to 1869.

The eastern leg of the tour includes Trail of Tears State Park on Highway 177. The park has many beautiful overlooks on the Mississippi River, a lake, camping areas, hiking trails, visitor's center and picnic spots.

Pocahontas has a couple of stops on the drive as well. View historic churches in Pocahontas. St. John's Lutheran Church located just off Route C will be opened up for tours and the Apple Creek Presbyterian Church located on Route E east of Pocahontas will also be a part of the drive.

The Personal Touch on Route E, west of Pocahontas will be another stop on the tour. The Personal Touch is located near Oak Ridge.

From Oak Ridge some side trips can be made to Village Designs at Grandma's House in Daisy on Route B and to Sewing's Restaurant located on Route KK at exit 117 on I-55.

From Sewing's Restaurant travel Route KK to Highway 61 and visit Old Appleton. Here you can visit Apple Creek Pottery, Jane's Country Crafts and the Old Appleton Iron Bridge. Apple Creek, which runs along the Cape Girardeau and Perry County border, also provides a beautiful setting.

Traveling north on Highway 61 you will enter Uniontown and from here a quick trip west on Route F will land you in the community of Apple Creek where you can tour St. Joseph's Catholic Church and Our Lady of St. Joseph Shrine.

Traveling east from Uniontown on Route A you will come upon the communities of Frohna, Altenburg and Wittenberg.

In these communities visit Trics Family Restaurant on Route C in Altenburg, Concordia Lutheran Church and School located off Route A on Route C in Frohna, Die Kleine Schule, Saxon-Lutheran Memorial located on Route C in Frohna, Concordia Log College on Route A in Altenburg, Trinity Lutheran Church and School, which dates to 1845, Immanuel Lutheran Church, which dates to 1880, and Trinity Lutheran Church, which dates to 1867.

Take a side trip to Wittenberg located on the shore of the Mississippi River at the end of Route A. If the river is cooperating you can view the stone commemorating the Saxon landing site in Missouri.

Just north of Frohna in the community of Brazeau located on Route C tour the Brazeau Museum, which dates to 1855, and the Presbyterian Church, which is one year older than the museum.

Wind your way back to Highway 61 by turning left off Route C onto Route D west to Highway 61. Now you're on your way to Perryville.

In Perryville, you can check out the Perry County Museum at the Doerr House or tour the Faherty House, which was built in 1831. The Perryville Square is awaiting drive tourists and while there check out the Perry County Courthouse, which was built in 1904.

One stop in Perryville you don't want to miss is the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal. Tour the church, museums and the grounds for a fulfilling experience.

Remember to drive safely and take in as many or as few places on the tour as you wish. The Mississippi River Valley Scenic Drive will be held next weekend, April 25-26.