Field Trip to Monticello Sculpture Gardens, Through the Looking Glass

Who loves to go on a field trip? I do!

A field trip with friends is not only fun and relaxing, it also stimulates the brain.

This month I've gone on two outings, the first was a trip my friend and former co-worker Barb planned, which included a walking tour through the Monticello Sculpture Gardens on the historic campus of Lewis and Clark Community College in Godfrey, Illinois.

The college's 2016 "Gardens Through the Looking Glass," Summer Garden show, celebrates the 150-year anniversary of Lewis Carroll’s “Alice in Wonderland” books.

The college offers free guided tours, or you can do as our group did, and visit the sculpture gardens on your own at your own pace.

According to their website, "The Monticello Sculpture Gardens have been designated by Missouri Botanical Garden as one of their Signature Gardens in Illinois. Here, the traditional edges between art and landscape blend to create a seamless partnership between sculptor and landscape architect."

Here are some photos from the trip.

I'm taking a photo through the looking glass

with my friend Patty waving and looking on

Here's a lovely centerpiece fountain with an egret

and some of the many limestone buildings in the background

My sister Kathleen and I take time for a photo op

A fountain surrounded by flowers - delightful!

Breathtaking sculpture of Sacajawea

carrying her child on her back

A bit of history about the original Monticello Female Seminary,

founded in 1838 by Captain Benjamin Godfrey, who championed

education for females

Horticulture Manager Ethan Braasch took time to

highlight some features of the gardens

My friends and fellow co-workers: Fran, Nancy, JoAnn,

Judy, Barb, Kathleen (my sister), Donna (me), and Patty

For information about the garden tours, call Ethan Braasch, Horticulture Manager, phone: (618) 468-3140 or e-mail him at ebraasch@lc.edu

If you're interested in learning about the history of the Monticello Female Seminary, here's a link to the Monti Memories blog.

After our sculpture garden tour we took a quick drive across the street and met up with two more friends, where we enjoyed lunch at the magnificent Josephine's Tea Room and Gift Shop, I had the special quiche, salad, and lobster bisque soup, after which I was as full as a tick. For dessert, I bought a slice of lemon meringue pie to go. On the drive home, we stopped at one of the many roadside farmers markets along the way, where farmers displayed freshly picked tomatoes, watermelons, peaches, and other delights.

The field trip to Godfrey with my friends was a wonderful way to feed my mind, body, and soul.

How about you? Have you had any interesting field trips or vacations this summer that inspired you?

Strange Folk Festival in O'Fallon, Illinois

Some of my closest--and strangest--friends come from the other side of the Mississippi River in Illinois.

While I kid them about being different, Illinois has always had a strong connection for me. I met my husband at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois, our daughter Julie was born there, and we lived there before Walt got shipped to Vietnam. Some of my relatives still live in the Land of Lincoln.

As much as I joke to my friends from the other side of the Mississippi about being strange--and they deny it--I now have proof. Apparently the folks from Southern Illinois have embraced their strangeness--and even have a festival to celebrate it!

The annual Strange Folk Festival will be held September 24 and 25 in the Community Park in O'Fallon. Strange Folk is co-sponsored by the City of O'Fallon Arts Commission and the O'Fallon Public Library. The event is also "the oldest Heartland Indie Arts and Craft Festival." Last year more than 15,000 people attended.

A week or so ago I received an e-mail from Jodi Caticchio, Chairman of the Arts Commission, reminding me about the festival and asking me to spread the word to local writers. In her e-mail she wrote the mid-August deadline to sign up is a "soft deadline," so there's still time to sign up if you live in the metro area and want to participate. There is no fee to participate, and it sounds like a fun event.

Here's a link if you want to sign up. A friend and I might sign up for Sunday, so if we do I hope to see you there because we writers are a bit strange ourselves.