Show me the Land of Lincoln: The St. Louis-Chicago Amtrak

The Lincoln Service of the Amtrak, the route between Chicago to St. Louis, traverses 284 miles of the rolling hills of Southern Illinois: galloped by horses, nourished by farmland, and preserved by woodland. This rail service is in the midst of a several year project to make improvements to the route, and operate more high speed trains.

Several years behind Europe in increasing the efficiency of train transportation, particular areas of the route already have trains speeding along at 110 mph.  In an effort to move speeds up to 125 mph and reduce the commute between the two Midwest cities to approximately 3 hours, there is a Tier 1 Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) evaluation being conducted.

“The 16-month Tier 1 EIS will identify and evaluate improvements needed to accommodate higher speed (125 mph maximum) trains and additional daily round trips. Higher speed trains would reduce travel time, increase service reliability and enhance safety. The Tier 1 EIS is separate from the construction currently taking place along the corridor”

The EIS is a mandatory evaluation that considers the impact of the rail service on the natural environment, the impact on surrounding communities, and the archaeological record at stake. After careful examination, the EIS will purpose the best options for the project’s continuance to the Federal Railroad Administration and the project can move forward from there.

Originally hoping for the first trains to run in 2014, the expected dates are now pushing back to 2016 for the high speed rail service. These pioneering American efforts will forge the Midwest cities as top travel destinations for international visitors.

Written by Ciara Brewer on behalf of Monica Brewer

Locality: How to navigate your potential new neighborhood

There are some things that you have to learn about your neighborhood the hard way: your next door neighbor’s affinity for weed eating at 6 am on Sundays, the closest 24-hour pharmacy stocked with ginger ale and saltine crackers, the army of rabbits waging World War III on your vegetable garden; however, there are some nuisances which are avoidable. When you buy a house, it is not just an architectural masterpiece, it is a little plot of land with a position in the world, a functional piece to the global puzzle of Earth. It is pivotal to understand the position, status and functionality of that puzzle piece and if it fits you and your lifestyle.  Before scheduling your walk throughs, get an idea of the neighborhoods you are looking to buy in.

Identify the top 3 neighborhood qualities

There is no way to make this part of your home search any easier. Unfortunately it breaks down to the old tried and true way of decision making: a two column list of positive and negative attributes, followed by daunting reflection on the rating of importance for each one. The good news? Once you have identified the top 3 qualities, you can sit back and let the rest fall into place.  

Do your homework

A simple google search is a great place to start, but your research shouldn’t end there. After getting an idea of the general location and layout of the neighborhood, start looking at how your top qualities align. Find out what is in walking distance, meander through the crime reports and the public school ratings. All of these factors can tell you a lot right off the bat about a neighborhood. It may be your dream home but there are no close coffee shops, bookstores or gyms, forcing you to far from home all the time.


Get out of your car and into the community

After doing your homework, it is important to get out and get to know your potential new neighborhood. Driving around the area can help you to tangibly assess the distances and get an overall impression, but you can miss a lot from sitting behind glass as opposed to walking around. Is it active? Quiet? Bustling? Are your neighbors engaging or reclusive? Also, take into consideration the time of the day it is. You may find that neighbors are more active in the evening than in the day or vice-versa. Your computer can guide your search, but GPS can’t assess the ambiance, meet neighbors or get a “gut instinct”.

In today’s vast landscape of instant communication and information exchange, it is becoming easier to think global but more difficult to act local. Living in a neighborhood you would like to participate in makes it easier to act locally and support local businesses, as well as saving your time for the more important things like reading the morning paper, making it to spinning class, or getting together with your friends and family. Narrowing your focus in searching for a new home can be overwhelming, but this is a great place to start tackling it.  


Written by Ciara Brewer on behalf of Monica Brewer 

Midwest Treks

Midwest cities have a large unfair advantage: close proximity to some of the most beautiful natural wonders of our country. A mere 20 minute drive out of St. Louis and you are embalmed by the indescribable scent of fresh air, cascades of green, and crisp waterways. Rolling hills fence in the city awaiting adventurers and serenity-seekers alike. It is the prime real estate for weekend getaways, day trips, or longer explorations of the natural landscapes.

Take a relaxing hike or hit the mountain bike trails for an afternoon at Castlewood state park:

Located on the Meramac river with scenic bluffs, broad meadows, winding trails, a bird sanctuary and plush St. Louis history, this is a great place for a day trip with or without the family. http://mostateparks.com/park/castlewood-state-park

Take a weekend to canoe the 11 point river:

This vast river winds through the Missouri Ozarks and offers access to caves, waterfalls and a natural fed spring. With several launch points, make it as short or long as you would like. Explore the Ozarks in their most pristine form, watching the sunset on the river with nothing but the beautiful surroundings of nature, your loved ones, and the unique wildlife.
http://www.11pointcanoe.com/

Or voyage northbound to camp at Devil’s Lake, Wisconsin

Located near Baraboo Wisconsin, Devil’s Lake offers miles of hiking, swimming, rock climbing...

not to mention the  remnants from the Ice Age Midwest glacier. http://www.devilslakewisconsin.com/

The state parks are well maintained and equipped to entertain everyone from the city slicker to the outdoor novice. Where will you be enjoying your prime real estate this summer?

Written by Ciara Brewer, Photographed by Rachel Broaddus on behalf of Monica Brewer