52nd City

Explore Fall

Fall Road Trip season is upon us. Well, upon me anyway. When the leaves begin to turn, I love taking weekend excursions throughout the region, along with thousands of other nature-loving rubberneckers.

Last weekend I went on a little family road trip up the River Road in Illinois. We took the free Brussels ferry across the Illinois River and drove the very scenic route north. I was delighted with the pastoral views along the way to the little burg (pop. 125). As we drove through the country town I spotted the cutest gingerbread house with, much to my amazement and confusion, a confederate flag on its post. It seemed so out of place. It looked like the cozy home of a sweet grandmother, but what kind of grandmother would wave that flag? Then I saw some crotchety looking guy, probably in his fifties come out of the front door. But it still made my blood boil. I just don’t get that whole confederate flag thing. I don’t know what I would do if I had a neighbor put one of those things up. It is bad enough some hoosier sports one right on Jamieson, just north of Fyler, which I have to pass every day on my way to work. Anyway, I’m not going to write the whole town of Brussels off.

I will highly recommend Mel’s Riverdock Restaurant in Hardin, Illinois.This was my third visit to this very unassuming establishment. The décor is modest, consisting mainly of poster boards decorated with photos of soldiers from the area serving in the war. Tablecloths are of the plastic variety. The service is very friendly. On my first two visits, Mel came out with a plate of smoked meats, the house specialty, offering samples to those unfamiliar with the menu. If you enjoy smoked meats, this is the place. But the sides are equally good. I always get the fresh cucumber salad and baked beans, both of which are similar to my grandmother’s, though not as sweet. But the main reason I’m willing to take a little drive to Mel’s is the pie. Nowhere in area have I found pie as delicious. All are homemade. The peach pie I had in July was the best I’ve ever had and I come from a family of great pie bakers. Last week they offered rhubarb, gooseberry, bumbleberry (a blend of blueberry, raspberry and blackberry), chocolate, coconut, turtle and rockslide. In an adventurous mood, I tried the bread pudding with vanilla sauce and was not sorry. I suspect it was made from leftover homemade cinnamon rolls, also offered on the menu. It was a dense, moist, forest of all my favorite food textures and flavors—the most comfortable comfort food I’ve ever had. I could have snuggled into that generic chair and napped with that pudding.

Treat yourself this fall to a little ride to the country. See some leaves. Pick some pumpkins. Eat at a little mom and pop you’ve never tried before. Take some pictures. Explore.