A Southern Illinois Weekend

One of the things that Dan and I enjoyed doing back in our college days was going to wine fests at Alto Vineyards. We had talked about heading back down state to attend a wine fest for a couple of years and this year we decided it was time to make it happen. We made reservations a few months back and marked it on the calendar so that we wouldn't forget. And I am so glad that we went- it was such a nice weekend.

A little known secret is that just outside of Carbondale Illinois is a beautiful landscape; one full of hills and trees and windy roads. Alto Pass is a small little country town situated on hills that has just the right conditions for vineyards. As you drive down the slow, winding road you pass orchards and vineyards. The drive is beautiful.

When you pull into Alto Vineyards and park the next step is to set up camp. We had brought folding chairs and a cooler with snacks (fruit, cheese, crackers). Then you sit back and sip some sweet wine. And I am serious about the sweet description. One thing I had forgotten is how incredibly sweet their wine is; or perhaps my palate has evolved. At any rate we stuck with their dry which is still quite sweet based on what we are used to drinking. Then the bluegrass band starts up and the lawn starts to fill up with other festival goers. We were lucky enough to get there so early that we not only got to park in the shade but we got just the right spot to sit where as the sun moved to the west we kept our shade. That was not the case 5 years ago where we would sit out in the middle of the lawn and head home with a major sunburn.

We also had fun noticing what was new in Carbondale. They now have a Panera! I have always enjoyed noting the ways that Iowa City is more cosmopolitan than Carbondale just to give Dan a hard time. There has definitely been an improvement in the town but there is still a long way to go; for every new building and store there is another slummy apartment that has been rented in the same condition since the fifties. So we will see if Carbondale can continue to evolve.

We made sure to find time to stroll around campus. Dan felt a sense of nostalgia as he could see himself 10 years younger raising hell on those same sidewalks.

It was a wonderful weekend getaway. We definitely need to get out of the city and slow down; the wine fest was just the perfect way to do it.