Hoover Presidential Museum then Galena, Illinois - August, 2017, Final thoughts

We enjoyed an outstanding breakfast before leaving the Farmers' Guest House.  I knew when the cook was in the building that the food would be better.  It was good the first morning as well but much better the second.  We had delicious cinnamon rolls, fresh fruit, bacon egg strata, and roasted potatoes.  I couldn't eat it all but our hosts very kindly packaged that cinnamon roll for me to take.  I also grabbed a couple of the homemade chocolate chip cookies for the trip.  Of course, it didn't take long for that cinnamon roll to disappear.  We had the cookies after lunch.

We've been home for several days.  I think the highlight of the trip was the Herbert Hoover Presidential Museum and neighborhood.  I knew nothing about this president but am now incredibly impressed.  Though he was president during a very difficult period, the number of things he did for our country (during his presidency as well as before and after) was amazing.

Galena is definitely a tourist destination.  It reminds me of Breckenridge, Colorado, and its downtown area. Tons of boutiques with everything you can imagine.  We did hit a few of those but not everything.

Galena floods occasionally to include about 3 weeks before we visited.  They have floodgates to stop the water from going into the downtown area.  These were on the path between our guest house and downtown.

We did not take advantage of the hiking paths that were available along the river.  Would I tell people to visit Galena?  Yes, but I think a day is about enough.  We did have a wonderful meal at Vinny Vanucchi's.  

We also really enjoyed our jaunt out to Chestnut Mountain Resort, a small ski area which would be a great place for a family.  In the winter, I can't imagine that there would be much to do besides skiing.  The resort looked nice and there were several restaurants available. 

It was a short trip but just what we needed.  We are back at home once again working on landscaping in our backyard.  We actually started all this landscaping last summer when we added a flower bed around the maple in our front yard and reseeded that lawn.  We are now completing the project.  Getting ready to seed the backyard.  Hopefully, things go well and next year we'll just be in maintenance mode.

Hope to see all of you next time.

Hoover Presidential Museum then Galena, Illinois - August, 2017, Galena

We started our day with a good breakfast.  Although the owners were called away for a funeral, she did as much cooking as possible in advance (a friend came over last night to babysit us.  It was good to know if there was an issue we had someone we could go to in an emergency).  We both think the food could have been better but under the circumstances it was still delicious.  I do believe that tomorrow's breakfast will be better.  Keep you posted on that one.

Take note of all the clocks in the breakfast room.  

After breakfast, we headed uptown and decided to take an hour trolley tour.  I'm so glad we did as we would probably have only seen downtown Galena.  It is a very quaint town but there is so much more to see than the business district.

We then jumped in the car and drove to the Ulysses S. Grant home.  The residents of Galena were so grateful for his Civil War service that they purchased this $2,500 home for him.  This was his home when elected to the presidency.  His wife Julia was called the First Lady of the Land.  It was the start of referring to presidential wives as First Lady.

Grant's home

From the Grant House we drove to Chestnut Mountain Resort.  I'm really glad we did.  We ate at one of the resort restaurants.  We were able to sit outside and enjoy the Mississippi River.  We could also see people using the zip line and those riding up and down in the ski lifts.  We took the lift round trip.  They have the longest alpine slide that I have ever seen.

View from the restaurant

On the lift.  This ski resort is different because you ski down then take the lift back to the top.  Just the opposite of every other ski resort I have ever visited.

Alpine slide.  My kids and grandkids would love this.

The rains finally came this afternoon.  We were lucky that we were back from Chestnut Mountain Resort.  We walked uptown in light rain.  Then it poured.  We had come prepared with raincoats so really didn't get too wet.

One of the benefits the Farmers' Guest House, offered for staying 2 nights midweek, was a $50 dining gift certificate.  There were 3 options and we chose Vinny Vanucchi's, an Italian restaurant.  It was delicious.  We ended the evening with tiramisu.  Um-um good.

Tortellini Carbonara for James, Shrimp Scampi for me

Tiramuisu

We have decided to head home tomorrow.  It has been a quick trip but it was what we needed.  Sometimes one just has to get out of the grove and do something different.  I'll be doing my final thoughts in a few days

Hoover Presidential Museum then Galena, Illinois - August, 2017, Hoover Presidential Museum and neighborhood

We started our day with a very nice breakfast at the Hampton Inn, tthen headed to West Branch to visit the Hoover Museum.

I knew very little about President Hoover.  I am quite impressed.  He had a difficult childhood as he became an orphan at the age of 9.  Not only was he orphaned but he was also separated from his two siblings.  He was a graduate of Stanford with a bachelor degree in engineering.  He traveled the world many times.  He came from humble beginnings but during his lifetime became a very rich man.  Many things that "The Great Humanitarian" is famous for occurred after he left office. 

Aside from the museum there is also a neighborhood which includes the house where he was born, the blacksmith shop which his dad owned and operated, the school he attended and the Quaker meeting hall.

We then headed to Galena.  Took us a little longer than planned as the navigator wasn't smart enough  to get us off I-80.  Made 2 wrong turns which made for backtracking.  Then when we were finally on the right highway, we didn't even know it.  Good grief.  I'm sure it was the car's GPS, lol.  We did finally arrive just in time to check in and get settled before the provided happy hour appetizers and wine.  Afterward we walked downtown for a brief look before eating at the Green Tavern located in the Desota Hotel.  After supper we returned to our room to enjoy a movies provided by the B&B's DVD library.  Last night we watched The Martian.

Below are photos from the day.

James in front of the visitors center.  Take note of the photographer in the window.  Tee-hee.

The home where Herbert Hoover was born.  This is a 2 room house.  Hoover had two siblings who were also born there.  5 people in a 2 room house!  We thought it looked the same size as a large shed we could have in our backyard.

Selfie in front of Hoover birth place.

A young Hoover worked in his father's blacksmith shop

Where Hoover attended school before moving to Oregon to live with an aunt and uncle

This is an adjustable metal pattern maker, c. 1885-1900

Burial site of Herbert Hoover and wife Lou.  Very simple but somehow very elegant.

Lunch at Reid's Beans in West Branch, Iowa.  Delicious

This little free library is located just outside the public library in Galena, Illinois.  Placed here by the Friends of the Library.  What a unique location.

This is the Farmer's Bed and Breakfast where we stayed.

One sees these barn quilts in many different locations including on the B&B where we stayed.

Hoover Presidential Museum then Galena, Illinois - August, 2017, Travel Day

James and I are off on a short road trip.  It was time to get away and relax for a few days.  We decided to visit the Herbert Hoover Museum in West Branch, Iowa, and then go on to our destination, Galena, Illinois.

We left Lawrence yesterday around 11:30 a.m.  We took the time to walk the dog and get him settled into the "dog hotel" before leaving town.  I had mapped a route to avoid interstate highways. We wanted to reach the Hampton Inn in Iowa City around 5.  Well, sort of goofed that up but we did arrive around 5:45.  I guess that wasn't too bad.  Although the speed limit was only 65, it was an extremely relaxing drive.  4 lanes the entire distance although it was not a limited access.

We saw quite a few barns with barn quilt squares as we came north on highway 24.  I just think those decorate a barn so nicely.  I love seeing them.

The hotel was within walking distance of several restaurants.  We chose Pancheros Mexican Grill.  I would say it was similar to Chipotles.  The food was so-so but convenient.  We brought it back to our room for a relaxing meal.

Today we will head to West Branch before heading to Galena.

A short side note.  I watched the weather forecast for this trip very, very closely.  I made the reservations last week after everything looked very positive for us.  Naturally, the next day the forecast went downhill.  During the last 24 hours, though, it has become to look better.  We will see what happens.  I read the Hazardous Weather Outlook at weather.gov this morning.  It said we had less chance of severe storms if it was cloudy Wednesday morning.  Here's hoping for a cloudy Wednesday morning.

On to West Branch.

Frisco, 2017 - Trip Home and Final Thoughts

We've been home for several days.  Everybody arrived by 6:30 safe and sound with no complications. Much nicer than the drive out, thank goodness!  I don't relish driving through that kind of weather again.  It took nearly 3 days at home for us to catch up on our sleep and get back on a normal schedule.  It's always sad when a vacation comes to an end—at least when we're having a great time.

I must say I'd been a bit worried about how things would turn out on this trip because we went earlier than ever before.  When I booked the house, I didn't realize that we would be traveling over Memorial Day weekend.  What a ditz!  Nor did I realize there is dead period in the mountains at this time of year.  We were there during this dead period.  We just started hunting to find things that might be going on.  I must admit the activities we chose turned out to be great ones.  Dominic missed 4-wheeling, but I believe he was satisfied with what we did though.  This is the first time that all 11 of us have been to Frisco together since 2011.

The house we stayed in was the best property we've stayed in on our Frisco trips.  The kitchen was extremely well equipped.  The owners had also labeled all the wall switches so one knew exactly where to turn everything on/off.  That was a first and I wish all owners did this.  Also, the check-in and check-out instructions were clear and easy to follow.  I found this house on Home Away for anybody who is interested.

All in all, another terrific family vacation.  I am blessed with a wonderful family.  May we have many more of these vacations in the years to come.

I'm going to add some photos that I didn't use during the actual trip.  Just thought it would be fun to add them at the end.

See you on our next journey.

Frisco, 2017 - Final Day, Country Boy Mine and Skiing at Arapahoe Basin

Today is our final day in Frisco.  We had a fun-filled day though we split into two groups.  The larger group—all the Davids, the Cole Srs, and the two youngest Cole Jrs—headed to the Country Boy Mine above Breckenridge.  After an interesting 45-minute tour, a tour that put us 11,000 ft. underground, we panned for gold.

Look close and you can see 5 of our group panning for gold plus Mary and her grandpa in the distance.

Mary and I petting the burrow.  

Most of us thought this was pretty funny.  Not sure about Zeke.

While we were at the mine, Mo, Seth and Dominic hit Arapahoe Basin for a morning of skiing, which was an unexpected surprise for this time of the year.  I think they enjoyed themselves although they only were able to ski this one morning.

When our group returned to Frisco, we ate at Moose Jaw bar.  Fairly reasonably priced, with something for everyone.  I believe it's a favorite of the locals.  So a nice experience.   

After lunch, we walked to Foote's Rest and Sweet Shoppe for an ice cream cone.

Back to the house, then a quick trip to the Columbia store at the Outlet Mall in Silverthorne where I treated myself to a new hat and raincoat.  Now for a quiet evening before heading home in the morning.  Some would like to stay another day which indicates that the trip was a good one!

Frisco, 2017 - Frisco park, Fly fishing, and Breckenridge

As you can tell from the title, this was a busy day.  I think the group had a fantastic time but now everybody but the 4 youngest are down for the count.  (Where do those under 12 get all that crazy energy?)  After breakfast, Seth, Jim, and Dom set off  for some flyfishing training.

They actually look like they know what they are doing.

Success!

While the three were fishing, the rest of us headed to Funtastic Funground located at an elementary school in Frisco.  The kids had a good time while the adults enjoyed some relaxed conversation.

Next was Breckenridge where we met the fishermen for lunch at Downstairs at Eric's, a bar and grill on Main.  My gyro was delicious.  They also served wonderful waffle-style homemade potato chips.  An arcade is attached to the restaurant so the kids were occupied.  Made for a very relaxing lunch. Afterward, we made our way to our favorite store, Joy of Sox, then we ventured back to the house in Frisco.

Looks like we bought our share of socks.

During happy hour, 4 outstanding magicians performed a magic show.

Ash Kazam

Zeke Magic

Entertaining Eloise

Marvelous Mary

Hannah and Jim volunteered to prepare dinner.  Their tacos, beans and rice were delicious.  I believe we have enough leftovers so that nobody need to cook tomorrow evening.  I'm looking forward to another great day on Tuesday.