Bucket List: Mounds (Not the Candy)

Yesterday, I ran my first 5K. The 2nd Annual Saluki Dawg Jog started at 8am outside of the SIU stadium. The race began with a big hill, yeesh! Brandon ran with me (stitches and all) the whole way. Yeah, I slowed him down but he really motivated me. I didn't walk! My final time was 34:54. Meaning I ran around an 11 minute mile pace. 3.1 miles is the farthest I've ever run without stopping in my life, so hey there's that. The rest of the results are posted here.


After the race, we showered and then headed north to Belleville with Brandon's parents. The Clarkes had their first Vintage baseball game of the season against the Stags. It was hot hot hot. Luckily there was a big tree that provided shade for most of the game, but after 3 hours the 90 degree weather was getting to us. The nice part was that the Moose Lodge ran a snack bar for us - so we got hamburgers and hotdogs. Brandon hated to be on the sidelines, too bad...

Since we were so close to St. Louis, I convinced the family to go to Cahokia Mounds in Collinsville, IL. We have driven by so many times that it was finally time to cross it off the Bucket List. Cahokia Mounds is the largest pre-historic Indian community in America north of Mexico. There were over 120 mounds in the region with Cahokia as the center of a large chiefdom. Surprisingly, the largest mound, named Monks Mound was named after French monks who settled nearby and planted trees and fruits on the terraces of the largest mound in the 1800s.

Monks Mound is over 100 feet tall and was built in stages by Indians who carried baskets of mud by hand. 

It takes 158 steps to climb to the top.

The view was certainly worth it from the top. Although our heads are in the way, we had an amazing view of the St. Louis skyline, including the Arch.

On the way home, we drove through Red Bud and could help but to purchase a lotto ticket from the winning Mega Millions store:

Red Bud Motomart

May the odds be ever in your favor!

STL Weekend

Last weekend Brandon and I had another St. Louis adventure. On Saturday we drove up to Jefferson Barracks Park for a vintage base ball game. The park was nice but it was in the 90s and there were only a few trees surrounding the field. I spent the majority of the game chatting to another player's wife. Telling your life story makes the time pass very quickly! The Clarkes won one and lost one.

The games were over at 4 and we headed into the city. Hunger pangs hit us in the car and a billboard caught our eyes. That is how we ended up at Gus' Pretzels. Being the foodies that we are, we just had to experience "a St. Louis tradition."

The pretzels were 55 cents each! They had a classic soft pretzel taste, obvious more fresh than those sold at a ball park but were sadly missing the Auntie Anne's  grease.

We spent the night at the Casino Queen (in another comped room!). Gotta love the view at this hotel:

That night we went to the last Fair St. Louis concert of the summer - Barenaked Ladies. So good! The concert (not rained out like last time) was in a park next to the Soldier's Memorial Military Museum. The band sounded really good live and the lead singer was so goofy. We loved when they played the Big Bang Theory theme song.

Our Sunday was spent at Six Flags. Mary Jo's dad's company - Illinois Electric - had a day at the park. Our tickets were discounted to $20 and including a buffet lunch. I'm afraid of roller coasters but Brandon always makes me go. I still don't have fun on them yet!

Art & Wine Fest

The Murphysboro Clarkes played as part of the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail Art and Wine Fest last weekend at Riverside Park in Murphysboro. They played 2 games on both Saturday and Sunday. Did you know that Brandon's Dad, Knute, started the team? They have been playing at this event for several years now.

Seth was in town visiting, so all the Shultz men were playing. This meant Nancy, Mary Jo and I were in the stands cheering through all 4 games (we're saints, I know).

Introduction of the Unions (left) and Clarkes (right) on Sunday

On Saturday the boys played the Springfield Long Nine. On Sunday they played the St. Louis Unions. Unfortunately our team lost all their games :(

However, the most fun was to be had at the Wine Fest. As a perk for playing at the festival, team members and family got to attend as VIPs. This got us a souvenir wine glass, a tasting card with 3 tastes per winery and a meal coupon. The coupon could only be used at Mase's Place. These were our choices:

After lunch (I had the pig burger), it was time to taste some wine. All 12 wineries on the Shawnee Wine Trail participated. They were arranged in a circle, so we just decided to start at the beginning and work our way around.

The weather was perfect, nice and sunny with a cool breeze. Live music was being performed on a stage in the middle. Brandon and I finally got to taste at all the wineries (There were 4 I hadn't tried yet). The revelation of the day was at Kite Hill where we were served the most delicious wine slushie. It was perfecty refreshing. Loved the event and can't wait to go back next year! 

First Game of the Season

Today was the first game of the season for the Murphysboro Clarkes vintage baseball team. The game was held in Jackson, MO against a group of guys who were interested in starting a team there.

Brandon "Junior" Shultz

Both Brandon and his dad played. Here is Brandon scoring a run:

 This little guy was entertaining me for most of the game:

His mom is dressed in period costume

The Clarkes did well and won both of their games. It was cold and windy though, and even sprinkled some rain at one point. The restrooms were just a short walk away but the stalls had no doors - I might have well just used a bush! Everyone was really friendly and seemed to enjoy themselves and after 3 hours it was over.

Our next stop was Lambert's Cafe, in Sikeston, MO, home of the throwed roll. Yeah, I didn't get it at first either ... a waiter (in suspenders and bow tie) literally throws dinner rolls to you across the dining room. It is a crazy free for all. Because, in addition to the all you can eat bread, they also come around offering unlimited side dishes like mac and tomatoes, black-eyed peas, fried okra and my favorite, potatoes and onions. Then, they give you a to-go box so you can take home all the leftovers. Wow we really pigged out. Check out the size of these rolls.

 I ordered fried chicken with coleslaw and peaches.

Ok, Mom, I know you will get a kick out of this ... remember the Fudrucker's salad that came in a big seashell bowl? Sorta like this:

Source

Well, I've found a more embarrasing salad:

Source

Do not attempt to eat this alone! And in that photo you can also see the beverage cups. Drinks are served in 40+ oz cups. The atmosphere was great and definitely worth the wait to get in :)