Registrations are due June 6th.
Click on the link for a copy of the registration form.
Lodging:
For lodging, in case you haven't already made your reservations, there are still several vacancies for cabins at Giant City Lodge (www.giantcitylodge.com) where the meetings will be held. If you end up needing the next closest hotel, here are the phone numbers of the two in Carbondale at the north end of Giant City Road, which is about a twenty-minute drive to Giant City Lodge: America's Best Inns (618-529-4801), Comfort Inn (618-549-4244). Giant City Lodge is about 20 minutes South of Carbondale, Illinois.
Transportation:
If you are using air flight, you can get to Carbondale from the St. Louis Airport utilizing Bart Transportation (a shuttle - 800-284-2278), car rental, or flying to Williamson County Airport, which is about 30 miles from Giant City Lodge, and then rent a car. We are two to three hours from the St. Louis Airport (see map below).
Agenda:
Local geology, soils, and climate are always interesting in the context of turf culture. Dr. Sam Indorante, the regional USDA-NRCS Soil Survey Project Leader will be presenting a unique combination in the Southern Illinois area nicknamed 'Little Egypt'. Plan to arrive in time for the evening reception, Tuesday, June 15. If you get there early, you can enjoy any of several nature walks in the Giant City Park. The meetings will begin early the 16th (Wednesday), break for lunch, then resume with a turf tour of research plots, a bermuda golf course, and a zoysia golf course. The day will end with Giant City Lodge's famous, All-You-Can-Eat chicken served home-style. The meetings will resume to completion on the 17th (Thursday.)
Attractions/Things to do:
Boats can be rented at Little Grassy Lake, one of our best fishing lakes and closest to Giant City Park (618-457-6655). A short-term fishing licence can be obtained at Walmart at the north end of Giant City Raod, Carbondale.
Climb to the top of the Monks Mound at Cahokia Mounds State Park, home of the largest pyramid-shaped mounds in the world, and home to over 40,000 Native Americans at one time, is not nearby. You can most effetively see that either coming from or going to the St. Louis airport. It's right across the Mississippi River from St. Louis.
Experience the natural beauty of bluffs, caves, volcanic upthrusts and other unique geological characteristics of the Garden of the Gods Country in Shawnee National Forest in Saline County Illinois. There are lots of things to see and do like horseback riding, biking, and camping as well as having unique shopping and dining experiences. You can also visit several museums and take a ride on the Shawnee Queen River Taxi.
Experience the authentic wine culture while visiting the 10 unique wineries on the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail located in the rugged hills and forests of Southern Illinois. Stay in the beautiful bed and breakfasts while touring the quaint towns and shop for treasures and antiques in the gift shops and stores along the way.
Southern Illinois offers many more attractions, beautiful scenery, and rich history. For more information visit www.adventureillinois.com.
Suggested routes| I-64 E and US-51 S 131 mi |
2 hours 43 mins |
| IL-3 S 132 mi |
2 hours 53 mins |
 |
St LOUIS airport
St Louis, MO 63134
|
| 1. | Head northwest on Airport Access Rd toward Air Cargo Rd/Natural Bridge Rd/E Terminal |  |
0.2 mi |
| 2. | Turn left at Natural Bridge Rd | |
486 ft |
| 3. | Continue onto Air Cargo Rd/Garage Parking/E Terminal
Continue to follow Air Cargo Rd/E Terminal |
|
0.8 mi |
| 4. | Take the ramp to I-70 E/St Louis | |
0.8 mi |
| 5. | Merge onto I-70 E | |
11.7 mi |
| 6. | Take exit 250A toward M L King Bridge/Llinois/Arch-Riverfront | |
0.3 mi |
| 7. | Turn left at Dr Martin Luther King Bridge
Entering Illinois |
|
0.6 mi |
| 8. | Continue onto Martin Luther King Memorial Bridge | |
0.4 mi |
| 9. | Merge onto I-55 N/I-64 E/I-70 E/IL-3 N via the ramp to Louisville/St Clair Ave
Continue to follow I-64 E |
|
48.2 mi |
| 10. | Take exit 50 for IL-127 toward Carlyle/Nashville Il | |
0.3 mi |
| 11. | Turn right at IL-127 S | |
3.3 mi |
| 12. | Turn left at IL-15 E/E St Louis St
Continue to follow IL-15 E |
|
8.6 mi |
| 13. | Turn right at US-51 S | |
22.7 mi |
| 14. | Turn left at E Poplar St | |
0.4 mi |
| 15. | Turn right at US-51 S/S Washington St
Continue to follow US-51 S |
|
20.6 mi |
| 16. | Slight right at S Illinois Ave/US-51 S
Continue to follow US-51 S |
|
7.6 mi |
| 17. | Turn left at Co Rd 29/Makanda Rd | |
1.8 mi |
| 18. | Slight right at Baptist Hill Rd | |
0.9 mi |
| 19. | Continue onto S Church Rd/Co Rd 12 | |
0.7 mi |
| 20. | Turn right at Giant City Park Rd | |
0.1 mi |
| 21. | Take the 1st left onto Devils Stand Table Rd | |
0.4 mi |
| 22. | Continue onto Rte 51
Destination will be on the left |
|
0.7 mi |
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Giant City State Park Lodge & Restaurant
460 Giant City Lodge Rd
Makanda, IL 62958-3218
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