My 16 year old daughter and I are struggling. It seems that every other day we argue about something. My straight-laced, couldnât-tell-a-lie-if-her-life-depended-on-it daughter is still infinitely dependable and honest; we just continue to butt heads. It dawned on me after about the fifth disagreement that they all have the same, common element. It boils down to control. For 16 years, it has been me behind the wheel, getting her where she needed to go. Now, at this point, she is ready to take the wheel, both literally and figuratively. I have moved over to the passenger seat, and I am letting her take the lead in many arenas. I still find that I am giving advice by the side of the road though. âWatch out for this potential road bump ahead.â âThe road is curving, donât over correct.â âBe careful there is a deer about to dart out in front of you.â Time will tell if she listens to the advice or if she even really needs it.
The season of fall and driving always seem to go so well together. One of my grandparentâs favorite things to do on a Sunday was to take a drive. Listed below are three ideas of places that you may want to drive to this fall.
Starved Rock State Park was recently voted the #1 attraction in the state of Illinois. It is located in Utica Illinois, which is less than a 2 hour drive away from Huntley. Fall events include a Take a Hike and Lunch every Saturday and Sunday, Fall Colors Tours on Monday and Saturday, Canal Boat and Trolley Tour every Friday, Saturday Night Storytelling and Historic Trolley Tours on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. The Oktoberfest at the Starved Rock Lodge features authentic German cuisine and Starved Rock Signature Ale. Their Golden Getaway package priced at only $95 includes on overnight stay for 2 and a $15 breakfast voucher. Some restrictions apply.
If you are looking for something a little closer to home, check out the 23rd annual Oktoberfest in downtown Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. This family festival features music, craft booths, and wagon rides. The festival is Saturday October 11 and Sunday, October 12 from 11am to 5pm. Lake Geneva is 30 miles north on Huntley on Route 47.
Rock Cut State Park State Park was an annual destination for my husbandâs family when he was young. As a family of 9, they rarely got away together. This was the one place they all enjoyed. Rock Cut is located in Winnebago County near the Rock River. The park features 40 miles of trails for hiking, camping, fishing, boating, and picnicking. Beautiful fall colors and wildlife abound in this gorgeous setting.
President Theodore Roosevelt called Grandview Drive in Peoria Heights Illinois âThe Worldâs Most Beautiful Drive.â
The 2.5-mile drive allows visitors to see the gorgeous views of Woodford, Tazewell, and Marshall Counties. More than 30 miles of the Illinois River Valley are visible during cloudless days. At almost a three hour drive from Huntley, this trip may be a little too far but it does look and sound beautiful. If you are in the area for another event, be sure to check it out.
May you enjoy the fall and perhaps have time for a Sunday drive of your own. I will be sitting in the passenger seat of my daughterâs life, trying not to push the imaginary break or grab the steering wheel out of fear.
âAutumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.â By Albert Camus
Kathleen Carr is the owner of The Growing Scene, Inc., a garden center and landscaping company. She can be reached by calling 815-923-7322 or tgsinc12@msn.com. Have a gardening question? Please contact her. She may address it in an upcoming column.
