Unique Freaque, Ltd.
121 N. Kenilworth
Oak Park, IL 60301
708-445-8900
Come On and Enjoy; "Tommy Guns"
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Museum of Western Colorado
http://www.wcmuseum.org/

Museum of Western Colorado Dinosaur Digs
http://www.dinodigs.org/
toll-free 1-888-488-DINO
Fruita Colorado
Lots More to Do for the Whole Family
Rafting on the Colorado River, Rodeos, Winery Tours, Museums,
and the Home of
Mike the Headless Chicken.
More Reports Linked Below
Robert Gaston and his casting palace.

Fruita Rodeos

Regional Wineries

Dinosaur tracks in the Ground

Mike the Headless Chicken


















6
July 26, 2005

On the left is the dry earth and soil one might expect to find on Mars,
and on the left the lush vineyards of Northern California.
© Oak Park Journal photo

Vineyards from Heaven
by Ed Vincent

When I first heard about wine being produced in or near
Fruita, Colorado I thought that something was wrong.  I was
not familiar with Fruita until coming here, but I did know
Moab and Vernal Utah, to the north and south of Fruita
and neither of them grew anything but rock and dinosaur
bones.  I was learn of the Colorado river and its being
dammed at the turn of the last century and having some
of its water come to this region to aid in irrigation.


The Colorado river is fun on a raft or just magnificent to view, as it gives
life to valleys it meets along the way.
© Oak Park Journal photo


In this valley with plenty of water, lots of sun, and cool nights - nature
is pleased to offer fruit groves and grapes for the wineries.
© Oak Park Journal photo

One of the reasons that I chose to visit this area (Palisade
Colorado) was because Sue Hendrickson (the woman who found
Sue the Tyrannosaurus Rex in the Field Museum) told me that she
had bought a wine from here called "Tyrannosaurus Red".
I had heard the story repeated again by the Chamber of
Commerce from Fruita.  Many of the locals had no idea what
I was talking about when I asked who made the wines
named after dinosaurs.  When I drove some 15 miles or so
from Fruita and asked some of the wine producers about the
label they told me it was by a man at the Carlson Winery.
I meandered through the entire grove, past some beautiful
victorian homes and some lush grapes.


 Barren background, but in the foreground shade trees, grass,
bushes, grapes, and lovely victorian.
© Oak Park Journal photo

The local like to tell you that there wines are wonderful and
they're not 'snooty' like Sanoma.  They may become 'snooty'
some day, but not in the near future.  The prices are good and
fit the market, but for folks from the midwest this is a lot closer
than California and very close to the dinosaurs too.

The roads through the vineyards are filled with 90 degree
turns, it would be great to have a go-cart miniature F-1 style
race here in Fall  (just kidding..).  When we finally arrived at
the Carlson Vineyards the fun was just about to start.


Carlson Vineyards Greets You with a Sign Having the
God of Wine Upon it.
© Oak Park Journal photo


Carlson Vineyards and the owner Mr. Carlson.
© Oak Park Journal photo

If this man looks a little familiar, it be because you know him.
This is Parker Carlson who graduated from Oak Park and River
Forest High School in the mid 1960's.  His parents still live in
River Forest and only a few months ago he was in Oak Park
having lunch a Poor Phils-small world (but very interesting).

Parker Carlson Holds a Bottle of Great
selling, and tasting red wine, the famous
Tyrannosaurus Red.
© Oak Park Journal photo

Parker is doing well and wants to say hello to everyone
back home.  He has a wonderful wine called Pearadactyl,
based upon a pear and apple wine combination.  He
has been known to have some even stranger animal names
on wines from the past.  You can even buy online, check
the link below.

http://www.carlsonvineyards.com/




 
© Oak Park Journal photo





Museum of Western Colorado
http://www.wcmuseum.org/

Museum of Western Colorado Dinosaur Digs
http://www.dinodigs.org/

toll-free 1-888-488-DINO




© Oak Park Journal
published by Suburban Journals of  Chicago Inc.
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