Untitled Document
Corn and soybean fields aren’t all Illinois has
to offer in the landscape department. Pockets of magnificent foliage are
scattered throughout the Land of Lincoln. This autumn, take advantage of
the state’s scenic back roads and nature preserves as their
trees’ leaves change colors. Hop into the car, fill up the tank, and
ride like the wind to our favorite spots for tree-gazing.
Here are some of our favorites: Starved Rock State Park, Utica — If you’re willing to travel the distance,
Utica’s Starved Rock State Park won’t be a disappointment. Hike
the 13 miles of trails peppered with canyons and bluffs swathed in trees or
walk along the Illinois River. If hoofing it across the forest isn’t
your preference, you can picnic, fish, or boat instead. The waterfalls,
rivers and streams are the perfect accompaniment to the park’s white,
red, and black oaks; red cedars; hickories in all their glory. Starved Rock
State Park hosts a Fall Colors Weekend Oct. 20 and 21. For a full schedule
of events, go to www.starvedrocklodge.com. Spoon River Valley Scenic Drive, Fulton County — This fall, travel along the Spoon River Valley for a
prime view of fall colors in Fulton County. The highways and byways extend
through such small historic communities as London Mills, Avon, Farmington,
Fairview, Ellisville, Mount Pisgah, Cuba, Canton, and Lewistown along
approximately 140 miles of road. Each community does its best to win over
your stomach on the trek; London Mills is known for its apple butter cooked
over an open fire, and Bernadotte, Fairview, and Lewistown offer up funnel
cakes. Fulton County hosts the Fall Festival of Spoon River Valley Scenic
Drive Oct. 6 , 7, 13, and 14. For info, go to www.spoonriverdrive.org. Pike County Fall Color Drive, Pike County — Some parts of Illinois aren’t flat.
Don’t believe us? Take note of western Illinois’ rolling hills
on the Pike County Color Drive. The county is framed by the Mississippi
River, its western boundary, and the Illinois River to the east. Pike
County’s historic towns transport travelers to a time when one-room
schoolhouses and country churches dotted the landscape. Watch horse-drawn
plows in the fields of Perry or make a pit stop in Fish Hook, where
passersby are welcome to take a break and carve a pumpkin. Pike County
welcomes visitors for its color drive Oct. 20 and 21. For information, go
to www.pikeil.org. Lincoln Memorial Garden, Springfield — To escape the hustle of the capital city, residents need
only look in their back yard, to Lincoln Memorial Garden, for a serene
experience. An homage to the Great Emancipator, the garden features plants
native to Lincoln’s three home states. The 100 acres of green include
leafy gardens and a sprawling pasture. Walk the Lake Trail, which flanks
Lake Springfield, or meander down the Witch Hazel Trail to take in the
vivid hues of the season. The garden hosts the Indian Summer Festival Oct.
13 and 14. Surrounded by the stunning colors of the garden, nature lovers
can munch on caramel apples from Pease’s Candy Shop, sip cider, and
take in the sounds of the Kevin Hart Jazz Trio and Kraig Kenning. For more
information, go to www.lmgnc.org.
Contact Marissa Monson at mmonson@illinoistimes.com.
This article appears in Aug 30 – Sep 5, 2007.
