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!

Bucket List: Winston's Bagel

On Saturday, Brandon and I got up early in anticipation of a drive to St. Louis for the first vintage baseball game of the season. Unfortunately, as we left the house we got the message that the game was cancelled due to weather.

Coffee was necessary

Woo! A day open to possibility! We had breakfast with Knute and Nancy and then headed to Carbondale. I wanted to check out the Farmer's Market for the first time this season.  As we were walking around the wind was blowing and this amazing onion scent wafted towards us. I turned around to find a table full of sweet onions:

$2/bunch

Ever since Easter, I've been wanting a hanging plant for my patio. I found the perfect purple flowers:

$12.50

Our next stop was Brandon's choice, the Carbondale Public Library Book Sale. I was a bit skeptical but we were actually able to find some hidden gems. The best part was that the highest price charged for a book was $1. Even hard cover books (some with the Barnes & Noble stickers still on!). Brandon was in heaven.

During the afternoon we just lounged around the house and talked some more about wedding plans. We are meeting with our wedding planner tomorrow for dinner :)

Later in the evening we met up with Kie and Gavin. We went to Pinch Penny where Funky Monks were playing the beer garden. They are a Red Hot Chili Peppers cover band, the music was good but I thought the lead singer sounded more like Barenaked Ladies. Anyway... at the end of the night, I managed to check another bucket list item off... Winston's Bagel!

OMG gross! Haha. I guess I wasn't drunk enough.

Bucket List: Popeye Statue

A few weeks ago Brandon took me to see the Popeye Statue in Chester, IL. We were on our way to St. Louis. Chester is the hometown of E.C. Segar the creator of Popeye. Like every town here in Southern Illinois, Chester has an upcoming town festival called the Popeye Picnic.

The town is right on the Mississippi River. Check out the view:

Anyone else think there should be a Popeye's restaurant in Chester?!

Bucket List: Shawnee Wine Trail (Part 2)

I'm currently visiting my hometown - McLean, VA. But, I'm still behind on posting so back to Illinois we go... enjoy!

Another weekend, another winery outing! Brandon's friend, Lindsey, was in town from Mississippi and wanted to go out to explore the wineries. Since we had such a good time last week, we had to go another round! This time though, I was the designated driver. (PS: I drove through some seriously winding roads!)

Again, our first stop was Von Jakob. Lindsey ordered us a wine spritzer:

It tasted like their Johnny Apple Wine with pineapple juice, Sprite and some fresh fruit slices. Our next stop was Hickory Ridge Vineyard. Such a beautiful view from their deck. Unfortunately, it started misting and we had to go back inside the cozy lodge (complete with loft).

Just down the road was Pomona Winery which is a winery that doesn't use grapes! Most of their wines are apple based with some different fruits and spices. Their Orchard Spice wine tastes just like an apple pie with hints of cinnamon and nutmeg. Their tasting was very generous and the gang got to try all of the wines on their list. Our server was really friendly and a true wine lover. She gave us lots of cooking tips!

Next on the tour was the luxurious Blue Sky Vineyard. From the moment you drive through their massive gate you can tell that a lot of money went into the place. The main house and the landscaping (complete with waterfall) are really nice. I didn't participate in the tasting but I did order a cheesecake with "the works."

This baby came with a raspberry Framboise drizzle, chocolate, cherries and whipped cream for $3. The gang ordered a bottle of the Misterioso. Quite possibly the worst/scariest label I've ever seen:

Last stop of the day was Rustle Hill. It was busy as usual with live music being performed. We were hungry so we ordered pizza. We tried the Italian, Hawaiian and Chicken Alfredo. All came on thin crunchy crust - so good but a little pricey at $15/pie.

My original goal was to go to 6 of the 11 wineries on the trail. Turns out there are actually 12 wineries (oops) and I have been to 8 so far (wow!). I see more wineries in our future! We already have a trip for Memorial Day Weekend planned, in addition to the Shawnee Wine & Art Fest being held in Riverside Park in Murphysboro.

Bucket List: Logan Museum

The John A. Logan Museum can know be checked off the bucket list! I have been wanting to go since I moved here. It's located in downtown Murphy. It's also only open for a few short hours. When Kristen was in town, and we were in need of one last thing to do on Sunday, we decided to stop by. We arrived right when it opened at 1pm. Unfortunately, the man with the keys had yet to arrive! About 10 minutes later the museum director arrived. He was actually Brandon's math and history teacher.

John A. Logan, a Murphysboro native, is known for being a General in the Civil War. (Back in those days he was a "volunteer" in the military which is why the community college mascot is the volunteer.) After the war, he campaigned for VP but didn't win. However, he is most well known for founding Memorial Day.

There are Logan statues in Chicago, DC (Logan circle!), and other places... check out the map:

The museum was well done. Of course it was small, but the displays were modern and informative. There was one employee behind the front desk. When you visit they ask you to sign the guest book. They also have a few souvenir items for sale.

Admission is free and of course they take donations. They are currently open Tues-Sun 1-4pm. Starting June 1, summer hours will be Tues-Sat 10am-4pm and Sundays 1-4pm.

Bucket List: Shawnee Wine Trail

To complete my goal for the bucket list, I need to go to 6 out of 11 wineries on the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail. This past Saturday, we made it to 5! The wine scene in Southern Illinois is reatively new, having started in the 80s and 90s, and is continuing to grow.

Our first stop, on the recommendation of Jared, was to Von Jakob Vineyard for our first tasting and lunch. We went to their Alto Pass location which is actually their second location. Ironically enough, the owner is an optometrist, Dr. Paul Jacobs, who's office is right next to my office in Carbondale. Their lunch menu was reasonably priced and everything sounded good. I had the antipasto panini (not sure what was in it but it tasted like a ham and cheese) which came with salad with a red wine vinaigrette and roasted potatoes.

One of the highlights of the winery is the large party room and the deck with an awesome view of their orchards.

At Von Jakob we got to taste 5 wines for free. My favorite taste was the Johnnathan Apple Wine made from local apples.

Source

Our next stop was Alto Vineyards, the first winery in Southern Illinois, that opened in 1987. They offered a $5 ticket for 6 tastes and the glass to take home. I loved the Vidal Blanc (a semi-dry white with hints of pear and pineapple) and Jaime treated us to a bottle. We sat outside at picnic tables and enjoyed live music from Giant City Slickers. Jaime thought one of their songs sounded like Mario music.

Our next stop was in Cobden at StarView Vineyards. First off, what a great name! and really cute bottles.

For $1 we got to taste 5 wines and for $2 more we got to keep our glasses. Their most popular wine is the Venus which they also serve as a slushy. We decided on Silver Star and took our bottle out to the deck overlooking the lake. More live music was provided by The Swamp Tigers, a self-proclaimed honky-tonk rockabilly band - and they sure did look it!

Brandon had never been to Owl Creek Vineyard so that was next on our trail. An employee let us know that Owl Creek had the first vineyards before Alto, which was the first winery. We paid $5 for a tasting and a souvenir glass.We really liked their red wines, their treetop deck and the largest wine glasses of the day.

By this time, it was getting late in the day. But, lucky for us Rustle Hill Winery stays open late. They are literally on a hill and have a beautiful amphitheater at the bottom. Jaime was all over the sangria but Kristen and I had to pass. I think next time we should bring our own wine and cheese and lightly graze as we go along instead of the one big meal.

While I'm no wine expert, I did enjoy all the tastings. One of the most prevalent grapes is the Chambourcin, which almost every winery had. Compared to the Virginia wineries I have tasted, these Midwestern wines seem very sweet to me - even the reds.  The sweet wines, fruit wines and the dessert wines were all very popular and featured on the menus. I had a great time and can't wait to go again.

Bucket List: Saluki and Illini Adventure

Strike one off the bucket list! This past weekend I took the train up to Champaign to visit Kristen at the University of Illinois. I left from Carbondale on Saturday morning. I boarded the Saluki which was Chicago bound. It wasn't too crowded but I overheard several people who were headed to Chicago for the car show.
I did a crossword to stay busy.

 But my favorite stop was Centralia. Check out their charming sign:

 And my highlight in Champaign was this cutie:

Overall a fun and easy trip - glad I didn't have to make the 3 hour (one way) drive. But, I might try driving next time just to save money. Kristen and I also made a delicious V-day cake which you can read about here.

My So. IL Bucket List

Here is my list of places to go and things I need to do while I'm in Southern Illinois:

• Visit the John A. Logan Museum right here in Murphysboro! 
• Go bowling at the SIU Student Center
• Eat a Winston's Bagel 
• Go kayaking on Lake Murphysboro and maybe fishing too?
• Investigate the "Egyptian Corner" - a middle eastern restaurant and hookah bar in a former gas station
• Visit at least 6 of the 11 wineries on the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail
• Check out the Superman Museum in Metropolis, IL. If possible, attend during the 2011 Superman Celebration June 9-12
• Go hiking in Giant City State Park and dine at the Giant City Lodge  
• Visit the Popeye Museum  in Chester, IL
• Go horseback riding
• Take a photo at the Bald Knob Cross in Alto Pass, IL 
• Enjoy a home-style meal at Pioneer's Cabin restaurant in Percy, IL
• Hike the Little Grand Canyon Trail
• Take amtrak - Illini Service or the The Saluki 
• Visit Cahokia Mounds in Collinsville, IL

Items I've completed already!

• Jetski on Kinkaid Lake 
• Watch a Murphysboro Clarkes vintage baseball game
• Attend an SIU Football game
• Attend an SIU Basketball game
• Attend the Murphysboro Apple Festival and take a photo with Captain Applesauce

So what do you think, did I miss anything?