Vacation Cider

Needles and I broke out the vacation cider we picked up in Alto Pass, IL. at Rendlemans Orchard.  Good stuff.

Panoramic Views

Garden of the Gods

Southern IL. Vacation

Needles and I rented a cabin just North of Jonesboro, IL. We timed the rental so that we could be there in the peak of fall foliage season and I don't think we could have timed it better. We headed South on Thursday and made our way to Garden of the Gods. We walked up the path to the over look and was amazed by the colors that dotted the hillside before us. The blue-gray rock outcroppings jutting out from around the blazes of orange, red and yellow was a site to behold. We hopped around from rock to rock like billy goats and savored the views that each angle and point of view offered. We wandered down the path and back to the car to continue our adventures. When we arrived in Anna, IL. we we both starved so a quick stop by Sonic to refill our bellies and then on to our cabin. We arrived around 3:30pm and found the cabin to be nice a cozy. We settled in and before long we had our first dip in the hot tub. Later on I grilled a few pork burgers on the grill for supper.

 

 

Friday morning we awoke to a cloudy and gloomy day. We decided this would be a great day to make the trip to Sikeston, MO. and to Lambert's. Needles and I weren't quit hungry yet so a quick stop at the outlet mall were we happened on an item or two to purchase. We finally made to Lambert's and found ourselves waiting in a bit of a line even for 1:30pm. Shortly after setting down and drinks delivered in the customary large thermal mugs we were snacking on fried okra when we made our order. Needles went with the roast beef and I the meat loaf. They were both very good and filling. We were entertained with the usual show of rolls being thrown all over the dining area. Needles and I even managed to have a few thrown in our direction. After we ate our fill we headed back but before we got to our cabin we made a stop at the local grocery store for a few items. Another late evening dip in the hot tub a few snacks and The Woman in Black and we were warm in our cabin the the woods.

   

Saturday morning after breakfast found us heading in a different direction. Our destination was Metropolis,IL. Home of Superman and also Fort Massac Encampment. After quick stop by the Superman statue and then on to the Fort.

 

 

 

Fort Massac was having their annual encampment with period reenactments and period wares and food. It was fun to get to do this again since our local park gave up Old Settlers Days.

The day was cool and overcast and since we got an early start on the day we ended up going to Giant City Park. The weather warmed during our travels so we walked a few of the trails at the park.

 

 

 After a couple hours we were starting to get hungry so we decided on to the Root Beer Saloon for supper in Alto Pass, IL.

 

 

Needles had the salmon and I had the crayfish and shrimp boil and we both had the signature root beer in a chilled mug. The environment was interesting and eclectic. A multitude of taxidermied animals were all over the walls and ceiling. Old rifles, antique signage and a mummy with gold sarcophagus pretty much rounded off the decor. The food was very good and with the little bit of daylight we had left, we made our way to Bald Knob Cross. On our way to the cross we happened through Vulture Fest in Macanda, IL.

 

 

When we arrived we found a one hundred and eleven foot cross structure that has been standing for several decades in the middle of a several acre clearing and can be seen for miles around. With the light fading my the second we headed back to our cabin for our usual evening ritual of hot tub, snacks and a movie before bed.

 

Sunday morning after breakfast we thought we would make our way to Trail of Tears State Park to hike some of the trails. After a quick stop by the park information cabin we weren't much more educated on where anything was other than poorly copied map of a trail. We decided to head back to the sign that stated hiking trails and ended up driving on a one way road back into the camping area for miles and ended up on the other side of the park. After that we decided we had enough of Trail of Tears and decided to go back up toward Alto Pass. We stumbled upon an Rendleman's Orchard and made a stop to see what they had. One of the previous renters made a mention in the guest book about a Raspberry Cider that was made by this orchard and Needles wanted to try it out, so we were happy to stumble upon the place.

We left with five different types of cider and a half peck of Ambrosia Apples. We tried to make a stop in Cobden at the Yellow Moon Cafe for supper but with it being closed we decided on a quick trip to the grocery store for a loaf of bread and back to the cabin for pork burgers. We finished off the evening in our usual fashion. The movies of the evening were Hollow Man 2 and Hide and Seek.



     Monday was our last morning at the cabin. Needles and I had breakfast and packed up to make our way home. Our travels home found use with a few detours but we ended up with lunch at Long John Silvers in Mt. Carmel. We arrived home just before 1pm and a few chores awaited our attention and  fuzzy person that needed a few rubs. Now we are back to our usual routine. It was nice to spend a few days off the grid and away from the same old grind.

Planning 2013 Vacation

     This friday Needles and I are going to a meeting for details on what could be our next "Big" vaction. Details will follow once we pull the trigger on what could be a very exciting adventure.
     We have a small get away planned in a couple of weeks that I hope promises to be a nice respite to the stress of everyday life and a get away for metal health reasons. I know we need one.