Pumpkin picking...before the pumpkin pie belly.

Having a belly full of pumpkin pie (and turkey, ham, potatoes, green beans, corn, cranberries)... I am fondly remembering my little jaunt in October for pumpkins and wine.

We first stopped off a Mackinaw Valley Vineyard.  It's located between Peoria and Bloomington, Illinois.  We pulled into the short lane that takes you past a some of their vines and waited in the parking lot for my brother and sister-in-law.  They were driving over in their little blue mini cooper which I watched "European Vacation style" drive back and forth five times before they found the right entrance.  "Look kids there's big ben, parliament... vineyard... again."  When they finally joined us, we made our way though some nicely landscaped areas to the tasting room located on the back side of a farm house.  The tasting room has a big picture window and porch that overlook a small pond, more grape vines and corn and soybean fields that extend into the horizon.  Tasting is free and the staff are interested in helping you find one of their wines that suit your taste.  We enjoyed Hahn's Reserve a blend of Baco Noir and St. Croix;  Alexaner's Conquest a blond of Foch, Frontenac and Cabernet; and Vignole dry (semi-sweet table wine).  It's a popular place for weddings and there was a reception going on in a tent by the small pond while we were there.

While we were in the area we also visited Ackerman Farms on US Rt. 150, Morton, Illinois for some pumpkins.  They have over 125 varieties of pumpkins and squash.  Other entertainment at the farm includes pick your own pumpkins and apples, a corn maze, hay rides, petting zoo and a gift shop.  We were there for the pumpkins and we found some great ones!  As an interesting side note, Morton, Illinois hosts one of the largest pumpkin celebrations in Illinois during September.  Morton is also headquarters to Libby's pumpkin canning plant.  Over 80% of the world's canned pumpkin is grow and canned right here.  After eating your way through all things made with pumpkin you can attend an entirely separate event in October to work off those pumpkin eats.  At the Punkin Chunkin'... you guessed it, your going to chuck some pumpkins.  Participants also build a variety of machines to throw pumpkins a far as they can get 'em.  Personally, I think they should move this event to black friday and bill it as a thanksgiving workout!  My belly is still full....

View my flickr photos of Mackinaw Valley Vineyard

View my flickr photos of Ackerman Farms