Last Chance 

I spent last Sunday with Emily in Carbondale.  She is a week away from graduating college so this was my last chance to visit the Shawnee Wine Trail with her.

We began our day at the Von Jakob winery.  I started tasting wines but found one I loved the first try (a Chambourcin) so we each order a glass of wine and moved to the outside deck to enjoy a snack, a drink, the scenery and a chance to catch up with each other.

Then we moved to our second winery of the day, Alto Vineyards.  I was actually drinking wine from Australia made by the brother of the Alto Vineyards owner.  It was delicious and I bought some to take home to Mike.  After I completed my 6 wine tastings I felt the need for a break so Emily and I went up the roof top vine deck and relaxed for awhile.  

Our next stop was for an early dinner or very late lunch at the Lodge.  This may have been Emily's last meal there but definitely not her first.  She has been a frequent visitor during her four years in college.  No menus were necessary as the only meal of the day was the family style chicken dinner with potatoes, dumplings, green beans, corn, coleslaw, biscuits and apple butter.  Needless to say, Emily, her roommate Dana, her friend Balqees, and myself did not leave hungry.  

Then Emily and I grabbed Dana's dog, Rosie and headed over to campus.  We walked along the bike path around the campus lake.  All three of us got some much needed exercise.  

Although I am partial to our pond, I have to admit the lake was very pretty.  Just like at our house, they have turtles and geese.  

I was feeling nostalgic as I left.  No more two hour drives to Carbondale in my future.  Well, except for next weekend when Mike and I will be back to watch her graduation.  And a few days later, we have to come back to move her out of her apartment.  Still it is the end of an era.   No more paying college tuition bills.