Traveling alongside corn crops, fields of sunflowers bowing in the breeze, traditional farmhouses, as well as urban settings and parks, the MCT Nature Trail provides the perfect opportunity for sightseeing, people-watching and communing with nature. The trail is paved, with very few hills, which means biking the trail is safe and enjoyable for people of all ages and abilities. The trail is popular with serious cyclists, Southern Illinois University students, and families alike.

For cyclists that desire an even longer ride, the MCT Nature Trail meets up with other trails in the MCT trail family, including the Nickel Plate Trail to the north, and the MCT Schoolhouse Trail to the south. Altogether there are over 100 miles of bike trails within the county.

The story behind these trails is as unique as the trails themselves. In an effort to preserve the historic railway corridors throughout the county, Madison County Transit began converting these corridors into a network of bicycle trails for residents to enjoy. Check out this interactive map of all the trails in the MCT trail system to plan your next ride. The MCT Nature Trail is indicated by the orange line on the map.

Villa Marie also puts on a number of its own special events throughout the year. For instance, on the first Wednesday of every month Villa Marie hosts “Wine All You Want Wednesdays”—the premier ladies night out in the area, complete with wine, food, fun and even prizes.

Think of Villa Marie Winery when planning your next catered event, as the Villa Marie Banquet Complex is nothing short of spectacular. The Tuscany Room can accommodate up to 300 guests for corporate gatherings, wedding receptions, and more. While the Vino Room, with a capacity of up to 40 guests, is perfect for intimate birthday parties and family reunions. You can be sure that whatever the occasion, Villa Marie is the perfect location!

Of course, what is the point of talking about a winery without talking about its wine? Villa Marie wines are all made from Illinois grapes, grown in Madison, Jersey and Macoupin Counties. Producing wine that is both delectable and deeply rooted in the rich tradition of Illinois winemaking is what Villa Marie Winery is all about. With names like Sugar Loaf Blush, Fuzzy Fusion, and Fireside Red, it’s not hard to imagine that Villa Marie wines are uniquely satisfying.

The annual Madison County Fair is a great way to spend time with the family, while taking part in a tradition of promoting the agricultural roots of the region. Coming together as a community at the fair once a year is more than just about having a roaring good time, it’s about keeping the legacy of where we come from alive.

So, if you missed the fun this year, mark your calendars for fair week in 2012! Next year’s edition of the fair runs from Tuesday, July 24^th, through Sunday, July 29^th. Located at Lindendale Park in Highland, Illinois, the Madison County Fair is free to enter, with parking a bargain at just $3 per car.

Home prices are one factor in determining your cost of ownership, but so are interest rates and financing availability. Even though interest rates have gone up in the last six months, they are still near historic lows. Since your monthly mortgage payment is a combination of paying down your principal and paying the interest owed, if home prices come down a little further but interest rates up, it could cost you even more to service a mortgage on an identical home!

While a home is a major investment, it is also the center of your personal life. It's important to live in a home that reflects your taste and values, yet is within your financial "comfort zone." To that end, it may be more important to lock in today's relatively low interest rates and low home prices, rather than to hope for a further break in prices in the future.

Please give me a call if I can be of any assistance in determining how much home you can afford in today's market.