Obviously, this time of year, the days are variable where weather’s concerned.  However, last Saturday, following Cars & Coffee, four SLTOA members in three Triumphs (Spitfire, TR6 and TR8) made the most of an incredibly great day to get out, see some scenery and see some fall colors (not too much in the way of the latter; it was still a little early for full color but hey, still nice out there).

Two cars/drivers drove up to Alton from C&C and rendezvoused at McD’s with car No. 3 and event organizers Ed and Mary.  From there we hauled up to Piasa Bird Park, then to the Brussels Ferry and from the opposite bank on up through Calhoun County over some really great roads (several of which recently covered with gravel…ah well, that’s what car washes are for) for lunch at the Barefoot in Hardin. Good food and great location, right on the Illinois River.

From Hardin, back on the Great River Road to Pere Marquette State Park, up the hill to a scenic overlook and then down the hill into Grafton for our final stop, at Aerie’s Winery (more great views!).  I do believe everyone and their brother/sister/uncle/aunt/cousin/dog was out hitting the various wineries, we actually ran into a traffic jam in downtown Grafton…Oh, and while heading down the back side of Pere Marquette, we also were treated to the sight of 25 or so Mazda Miatas/MX5s (presumably from the St Louis Miata Club) heading up the hill on their own drive.  Several of the cars and their passengers were appropriately decorated for Halloween…

Pity we didn’t get more of a turnout, a couple of the regulars came up at the monthly meeting Tuesday night and advised they were out of town over the weekend.  Ah well, one more major drive for SLTOA prior to the end of the year, the 3rd Annual Veterans Day Run on 8 November.  Hopefully we see plenty of cars for that one (and good weather…).