I began the day feeling like I was finally getting caught up on rest and ready to take on the state. I woke up in Carbondale at the start of the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail and breakfasted at the Longbranch Coffeehouse, which my guidebook recommended. It was locally sourced and vegetarian, so the menu was quite creative and delicious. Tamu and I sat out front and, soon enough, struck up a conversation with Lindy, a local author. Then we strolled around the town together.
The area offers a number of wineries to visit, and we tried to get to Giant City State Park, but got a bit lost. I have a very vivid memory of driving along in off road in the area, low on gas, and my navigational device kept turning me in circles. Most of the wineries we visited did not have non-grape wines, so I did little purchasing. I had a very pleasant stop at the Pomona Winery. I know this because I am currently drinking a very pleasant glass of their strawberry dessert wine. Also, I have photographic proof that I was there.
Tamu and I stopped for a walk at the Pomona Natural Bridge, where I let him roam off leash and he explored the area well. It had turned very warm, and the stone paths and canopy provided a very pleasant walk.
This was as far as we could go to the south east as we needed to turn next to the western part of the state and start to circle northward. I had hoped to take in some of the Ohio River Scenic Byway along the southern border, but I had lost time in the country and was chasing the sun west. It had a been an enjoyable and unhurried day enjoying Illinois wine country. Perhaps I’ll get back there.