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#48 Historic Park Inn Hotel in Iowa

11/16/2014

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Frank Lloyd Wright's Creation!
Now we can add to our list of unusual overnights, a stay in the only existing Frank Lloyd Wright designed hotel in the world!
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Mason City, Iowa!
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One would think if you wanted to sleep in the only remaining hotel built by the famous architect of Prairie School Design, you'd have to go to a big city.  But, I guess it's fitting that this building style, inspired by the horizontal landscapes of midwest prairies, would be found in a modest town in north Iowa!
A Drizzly Stay
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We arrived on a gray October afternoon. I so badly wanted to see the sunshine on the elaborate, yellow brick and terra-cotta facade.  Then again, the blah weather made it easier to imagine the years when this building wasn't the spotlight of Mason City.  By the 1970's,  the city hardly knew what to do with it. It was almost torn down.
Back to Life
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In 2010, the hotel reopened after complete renovation. The Wright designed City National Bank which was attached to the hotel, became the hotel's ballroom. On the Thursday when we arrived, the ballroom space was being set up for 8th Annual Iowa Independent Film Festival.
Was Frank Short?
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I'm just under 5"3', so I didn't even notice.  But after we checked in with Chaurice (who was the most delightful desk clerk we had during our 22-day road trip) Don just laughed at how claustrophobic he felt under the low ceiling.  I had to google F.LW.'s height and he was indeed on the short side. I think he actually liked annoying people who had to hunch a bit in some of his low spaces!
Skylight Room
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This 2-story room behind the lobby made up for the cramped front desk area.  It had once been the hotel's dining room, but was now filled with reproduction Stickley Mission-style furniture as well as Arts & Crafts style lamps and artwork.  This lounging area was just plain inviting, especially compared to so many of the Victorian historic hotels we've tiptoed around!  Not only was this space comfy, but the skylight made it refreshing.  And the mezzanine above the lobby had a player piano tinkling away with some fitting tunes.
Art Glass
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The 25 panels of skylight glass were all original.  That's pretty lucky, since so many details in the building had been removed or lost over the years.  Another window that looked out towards the park, showed hints of fall trees through the muted greens and yellows of the glass.  Pretty lovely.
Hall on 2nd Floor
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I like to take hall photos and that's sort of silly.  But I loved our hall. The carpet and light fixtures were very Wright-esque in design and the dark wood doors and trim were original.  But the best part was the sloping, funhouse feel I got walking down to room 215.  I felt like I'd had a few martinis... or maybe I was on a ship out at sea.
Just Wright!
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Our cozy room was perfect.  Yes, it was a bit narrow, but it was nearly twice the size of the original.  There are only 27 guest rooms now, but there were over 40 in 1910. No two guest rooms are alike in the hotel and this one was less than $100.  It amazes me that you can have this experience for that price.
H P I
We saw the Historic Park Inn logo (with great Craftsman font) all over the room.  That, and lots of geometric shapes.  As I explored and absorbed this wonderful place, I realized how little I know about FLW and his design!  But the little kid in me wanted to count squares!  Look at the squares on the rectangular pillow!
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Cozy Room & Bath
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We had 2 large square windows that looked over the hotel skylight.  They also looked right into the windows on the opposite side of the hotel, so we mostly kept our shades down.  I spotted more squares on the light fixtures and desk chair.  In the bathroom we had my favorite honeycomb tile as well as more logo... on the   shower curtains and super fluffy towels. Even the bath soap had a little FLW shape to it!
Fitting In
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I fit right in with my book "Loving Frank" (Fictionalized Frank) as I sat in one of the many cozy areas.  Don's 6'2" frame did not fit as he walked into the mezzanine area, which looks down over the lobby.
Hanging with the Gentlemen 
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In the basement we found Seth, in his vest and bow tie, tending bar at the 1910 Lounge.  This area was once the Gentlemen's Lounge and I seemed to be the only woman, but no one kicked me out.  We had a great time learning about area from Seth, who is a Mason City native.  
Film and Billiards
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It was a chilly, wet evening so we decided to stay put.  In the lounge we chatted with Seth and Chef Kurt, who dashed in from the kitchen a few times to check on the football scores.  We also learned about the Film Festival from a local writer and festival worker, who stopped in to take a break from setting up in the ballroom.   Then, we chatted with another Seth, from Chicago, who had directed one of the films being shown at the festival.  We didn't squeeze in a game of "billiards" which I'm sure wouldn't have allowed ladies back in 1910.   
Up For Dinner
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We headed upstairs to 1910 Grille for dinner.  We enjoyed some of Chef Kurt's Portabella Risotto and a tasty sampler of wines.  My photo is blurry because I rushed.  (The place was too classy for touristy I-phone snaps.)  The atmosphere was lovely and the food was excellent.  FLW would have approved!
Good Morning Ladies
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We had our complimentary breakfast in the area that was once the Ladies Lounge.  The ladies had no billiards, but they had a balcony with a nice view of the grassy town square.  I let Don join me for coffee, since I enjoyed the Men's Lounge the night before!  I loved the square saucer and HPI napkin, but the breakfast was a bit skimpy.  I don't think FLW would have been impressed.  But then, maybe he wasn't a big breakfast eater.
Rain or Shine
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The morning was as moist as the day before, but I'm so glad we didn't let the gloomy weather keep us from taking a walk.  Not only did we see The Stockman House, also designed by Wright, but we strolled through the Glen Park Neighborhood.  (Many architects who worked with Wright while building the hotel, were commissioned to build homes nearby.)  And then of course, we had to walk across the "Music Man Footbridge" in honor of Meredith Willson,  who was from Mason City.  This town inspired Willson's "River City" when he wrote "The Music Man".  Funny to picture Mr. W. being about 8 years old when FLW was overseeing the construction of our hotel!
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What's Notable?
The obvious answer is that we stayed in a hotel built by the most famous American architect. But besides that, I will always remember this hotel as being out of place.
Not only did the hotel seem too special to be tucked into this small town in Iowa, but the people didn't fit the Iowa image either.  For that reason I was left feeling like I hadn't cracked the mystery. I have such a strong urge to go back and observe and learn more... especially on a sunny day!
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#47 Our Barn on the Farm

11/14/2014

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Family Farm in Postville, Iowa
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On October 1st, Don and I drove just outside Postville, down a gravel road to have our night in a barn!


My Iowa Dream!
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I lived my first 10 years in Iowa, but my father was a college teacher and I hardly have a memory of a farm.  It has been my dream to go back to Iowa and stay on a farm!

Our Greeters
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When our car tires crunched over the gravel drive, the farm pets were first to notice.  After a few kitty sightings and a sweet greeting by Rover the lab, we met our host Donna.
Our Barn!
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Donna and Rover took us to our barn.  It was perfect!
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We knew we weren't going to be staying in a hay loft.  The barn was created just a couple years ago. But Donna and Dave built this barn using the wood from their neighbor's 100 year old barn, when it had to come down.  
A Porch
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Most barns don't have porches. But being a big fan of barns and a fan of porches, this was going to be my dream stay.  Never have I stayed in a hotel, B &B or Inn, with a view like this!  Ahhh, Cornfields!  
Interior
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This was luxury living as far as barns go.  I've never seen a barn with kitchen and fireplace.  It was homey-rustic, with everything we needed!
A Corny Bathroom
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The wall around the bathroom door was made from old barn wood,  showing some of the original red paint. Between the slats was  yellow & green, corn-print fabric.  I was glad to see a modern toilet and a shower curtain as nice as any Marriott's.  But the sheep's water troth made for some amusing showers!  The rectangular sink could have been 100 years younger than the desk it was built on.  And all I could do was laugh at my image in the yoke framed mirror as I washed my hands!
Up in the Silo
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 The silo from the old barn couldn't be saved. But at least we knew this new one, which enclosed the spiral staircase, was plenty sturdy.  The Dales thought of everything.  They even had a small nightlight under one of the steps, to make it safe. The view from above  was pretty fun!
Sleeping
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We had 3 options for sleeping up in the loft.  On one side there was a queen bed with picket fence headboard.  Or we could have made our selves cozy under the quilt in the smaller "wagon wheel" bed.  A cat walk away, was another sleeping area with a full sized bed. 
Exporing Every Nook
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It was obvious that Donna dnd Dave had fun putting this place together!  There were fun details like the curtains made from an old quilt, and the book nook with a little door, filled with farm and cabin books for kids.
There were also mystery pieces of farm equipment that I didn't recognize... turned into wall hangers and containers to hold games, or even lamps.  The stools at  the game table were more familiar.  Milk cans with tractor seats!
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Outside Time!
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Rain had been predicted, so I was thrilled that we had time outside!  Don spent a little time with his uke and a sleeping, white kitty on the porch.  I couldn't get over the corn!  I wandered along the edge of the field until I got a good glimpse of some cows!
Wandering!
I spotted cows lounging under a tree.
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And then I spied a tractor on the gravel road! This wasn't just a Disney version of a farm after all.  
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I had a fun staring contest with a sweet white cow standing in the haze of the dusty dirt road.
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And then Don and I hiked down a dirt road and enjoyed the quiet... except for a woodpecker!
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Farm Chores
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I packed a lot of silly stuff for this 22-day road trip and my "farm apron" was included. I had hoped I might get to do at least one farm chore during this stay.  Donna did indeed humor me and she let me collect eggs with her.  It was a hoot going in the coop and watching the hens feast on their dinner while we gathered up the brown eggs.  Donna pointed out how the chickens like to crowd their eggs into 1 or 2 areas.  "I think they spot an egg and figure it's a safe spot and then they all go for it.  They end up getting cracked sometimes."
Eggs Put to Use
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In the morning Donna carted a couple loads of breakfast goodies to our kitchen able!

There was a wooden box with dishes and placemats, drinking jars and cold chocolate milk. In the "cooler" we had all the hot stuff along with a list of where all our homegrown and homemade goodies came from!
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There was an egg, potato and cheese bake in one skillet and crispy bacon  in another hot dish.  We had baked apples and a giant puff pancake served with pure maple syrup.  All washed down with a a big pot of coffee!
What's Notable?

That we stayed in a barn was plenty.  But the whole experience from animals to corn made the stay perfect.  We made use of as much as we could during our short time. Next time... a campfire in the pit, maybe? Or milk a cow? It was pretty ideal the way it was!
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#46  Hotel Blackhawk

11/13/2014

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Davenport, Iowa

Our evening at Blackhawk was the halfway point of our 22-night road trip. We spent a little more for this stay, but we were ready for some luxury.
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Not So Luxurious
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This historic, 11-story, brick & white terra cotta building was not looking so luxurious just a few years ago.  After many up and down years, (there were even plans to make it low-income housing for the elderly) the hotel suffered a fire in 2006.  The fire wasn't caused by a faulty wire, or even a smoldering cigarette.  The fire started on the 8th floor when a meth lab exploded.  Demolition work began in 2009 and after a multimillion-dollar renovation, the Blackhawk opened in 2010.
The Old

I love seeing parts of the hotel that haven't changed, since the opening in 1915. I wonder who might have looked out of this impressive window in the past. Jack Dempsey, Carl Sandburg or Herbert Hoover, maybe? All have  been guests.
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The New

The new additions aren't bad either.  This modern entrance facing the river has  the hotel's name projected onto the building at night.  The fountain has a pretty cool flame, although my camera failed to capture it. 

When Mr. and Mrs. Obama and the girls stayed here in 2011, they probably entered though the revolving door of this entrance.
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The Interior
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Arriving on a Tuesday meant we were checking in with lah-dee-dah business folk who weren't a bit impressed with the grand lobby.  I took it all in like a happy tourist.  The grand 2-story atrium was once again open.  It had been closed in for years to make room for extra meeting space.
Clean and Fresh
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Gold is not usually my thing, but I loved all the gold and white.  Everything looked fresh and clean.  There was a huge arrangement of  fresh flowers on the center table and bowls of fresh fruit at the lobby desk.  


Skylight
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We've actually seen a lot of lovely stained glass in historic hotels, but this one seemed bolder and brighter than most.  I wasn't able to find out if this was the original stained glass or if it was lost when the atrium was closed up.  New or old, it's a nice addition.
More Royal Gold
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The gold trimmed staircase and accents in the well known "Gold Room" looked worthy of someone very special.  I'm not sure if any Royalty ever stayed, but one of my favorite British actors came to stay in his later years.
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Cary Grant was here with his wife in 1986.  He felt ill and was unable to appear at the nearby Adler Theatre. It's not clear whether he died in room 901, or in the nearby.  It's sad to think I was walking through the last place where Cary Grant walked before his death.  I  kept an eye out for his ghosts.
Our Room.. not on Cary's Floor
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Our hall was not on the same hall as Cary Grant's room.  In fact his room doesn't even exist anymore.  During renovations they shuffled space and his room is no longer available.  But I'd say our room seems nice enough for a movie star.  Cushy and spacious, modern and comfy.  We don't usually get all that with our stays at historic hotels.
Room with a View
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It was hard to get to the big windows behind the bed, but there was a good view of the Mississippi!  I love a river view!  What I did't expect, was a view of the bathroom!
Shutters and TV Mirror
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Maybe if Don and I stayed in classy hotels more often, we wouldn't have been so tickled by the shuttered bathroom window.  That kind of goes along with the bathroom trend I've been complaining about, with glass doors in hotel bathrooms.  
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So the shutters were interesting.  (No glass of course) But the bathroom TV   cracked me up.  I've seen TVs in bathrooms before, but this is the first TV built into a mirror that I've seen.  I was sort of like a dog noticing a mirror for the first time. I wanted to keep touching those people on CNN to see what would happen.
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Bowling!

We didn't need to  leave the building once we checked in. There was too much to do.   
Blackhawk Bowl and Martini Lounge!
How could we not visit the bar and lanes in the basement.  The  club was hopping when we first arrived.  We had to wait a while to  make use of our free bowling voucher!!
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Martinis and Dinner
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We actually saved the martinis for the lobby bar which was having a half price  special. Then it was dinner in the Bix Bistro, just off the lobby.  My very "whippy" pumpkin bisque was almost as yummy as the chocolate torte that we took up to the room. The dessert was just one more freebie perk for hotel guests!
Making Use in the Morning
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Don and I were determined to get our money's worth out of our hotel.  By sunrise, I was working out in the fitness center and Don was swimming laps in 3rd floor pool. There was a great outdoor deck with lounge chairs and a river view.  Wish we'd had time for a coffee out there! 
What's Notable?
 
My notables are usually quirky things or funny things.  But mostly I will remember  this hotel for being the perfect balance of historic charm and modern luxury.  
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Oh, and maybe that bowling alley. That was pretty memorable.  Our first hotel with a bowling alley!
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#45 The Rockcliffe Mansion

11/9/2014

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Hannibal, Missouri

I've always wanted to stay overnight in a museum!  Don and I had our chance when we stopped in the historic river town of Hannibal, last September.
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Above the Mississippi
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When John Cruikshank built this residence for his family in 1900, it was indeed grand.  It looked down on treetops, church steeples and roofs, as well as the Mississippi River.
Getting There
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It was a bit nerve wracking just getting to the mansion.  We drove through a somewhat seedy area to find Bird Street. Then we found the limestone bluff and wall beside the entrance.  We made the narrow turn in through the gates and wound up the drive, wondering about some of the boarded up houses below.  Was this area safe?
Georgian Revival Style
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We parked in a nearly empty gravel lot and wandered to the entrance. It was as impressive as I remembered from a visit 25 years ago.
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The 13,500 square foot mansion was situated on a lovely lawn near a trickling fountain... but there was something a bit eerie about the peeling paint and the quiet.  What were we getting ourselves into?
A Tour
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We entered through the front doors and stood sort of gasping at the enormous staircase and the eerie beauty of the formal entrance.  Was anyone there?  What were we supposed to do?  Then Juan, the owner appeared. He was giving the final 4:00 tour to a couple from Georgia.  Juan stood at the base of the stairs when he invited us to join the tour.  That was the very spot where Mark Twain stood on a raised platform to speak with a group, on his last trip to Hannibal in 1902.
Taking it In
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We moved from the airy, pink & green music room to the cozy men's study with dark woodwork and heavy Persian carpets.  I couldn't stop grinning as I took in all the details about the 30 room residence.  Mrs. C. liked white painted wood, Mr. C. insisted on having electric and gas lighting.
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Giggling through Bathrooms
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I was having a hard time keeping a straight face as our Georgia couple made giddy comments over Mrs. C's sitz bath and Mr. C's wooden, square toilet seat. Mr. Georgia seemed equally fascinated by the fact we were spending the night in one of the rooms that night. 
"And y'all are going to be the only guests?" He said, shaking his head.  I wasn't sure which seemed more strange, the idea of being the only guests in this mansion, or sharing the mansion with a couple like Mr. and Mrs. Georgia. I decided I was glad we'd be the only guests.
Evening at the Mansion
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Our tour ended and the Georgia couple departed.  Juan officially checked us in and invited us to relax on the porch where he brought us a tray with wine, fruit and cheese. We chose the shady porch near the carriage entrance, since the sun was pretty warm.
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Questions
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An hour earlier, we had really questioned what we might be getting into.  Not only had we heard stories of Rockcliffe being haunted, (Mr. C. died in his bed in 1924) but we were to be the only guests. Our host, would also be staying in the house. Would he be ready to protect us from the sketchy neighbors in the houses below?  But what if our host was a Norman Bates type of host...?
No Norman at Rockcliffe

In truth, by the time our tour ended, we had warmed up to Juan.  He had a passion for the place and he happened to have a quirky sense of humor that appealed to Don and me.  We were happy when he joined us with a glass of wine.  We spent an hour talking about travel and road trips, his life growing up in Cuba ...religion, immigration, family stories... What a fun time!
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Heading Up
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This is the dramatic, divided staircase we took to the second floor.  But then we had to take the servant's staircase to the third level where our room awaited.

The Sage Room

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If we'd spent a little more money, we could have stayed in Mr. C's room.  We would have had a fireplace, ceramic Roman tub, square wood toilet seat AND the bed where Mr. C. died. (At least I think)
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But, we were on a road trip budget and happy to sleep in a less deluxe room, where the servants once slept.  Actually it was a sweet, cozy room with a full size bed.  The servants who shared this room wouldn't have had a bed this nice.
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Ballroom
We actually had the entire third floor to ourselves. There were 2 guest rooms, which had been servant's quarters.  However, only one is rented one out at a time.  We also had a sewing room, a ballroom and a classroom!
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The ballroom was a tad spooky at night. It was filled with a hodgepodge of things from a spinning wheel to a mannequin.  In the early 1900's it would have been kept empty for formal gatherings.

A Place for Kids...

​in Later Years !


The classroom was a sweet space where the governess educated the Cruikshank kids.  The map, Juan explained was not original.  For 43 years, the house was vacant after Mr. C died.  Hannibal kids, in the spirit of Tom and Huck would dare each other to break in the house and race to this very room.  A piece of the map proved they weren't lying about their bravery! 
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Morning!
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I woke at 6 and couldn't stand the suspense.  What would morning look like?  How about the view? I tiptoed outside and caught the sun after sunrise.
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I got to watch longer than I should have, since there was a hazy sky.
I couldn't stop wandering. Every direction showed a beautiful image. 
I walked down the drive to Bird Street and peeked at the houses that had seemed creepy the evening before. They looked a little weary, but they no longer seemed intimidating.  I hiked up a pathway towards the mansion.
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I peeked next door at the house that shares the hill. Years ago, the white house had to be moved aside (on logs) when the Cruikshank house was built.  
Later the Cruikshank daughter moved into the white house and then her mother joined her. I wondered about who lived there now.
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I took in one last view of the garden and   Hannibal below, before heading in to get ready for breakfast.

 
Dining with Mark Twain?
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This is the dining room where I imagined Mark Twain dining, during his visit 112 years ago!  Maybe his spirit was joining us for breakfast... but 8 am may have been too early for old "Sam".  

Our Own Feast
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It was fun to imagine the Cruikshank family dining in this beautiful room, as we sipped our coffee in gold rimmed cups, by the light of the Tiffany lamp. We started in on some yogurt with berries and a plate of fresh fruit.
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And then the French toast, bacon and sausage arrived.  Juan didn't join us for breakfast, but we did visit a while. Then he offered us a peek at the latest project.

Up...
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We climbed the stairs, one more time.  This time we went past the second floor, with this great view from the balcony.  We climbed higher than the third floor...  
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The Widow's Walk
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Juan showed us the latest renovation, on the flat roof at the very top of the mansion. The small white structure will soon have new windows installed, looking out on the widow's walk that surrounds it.  What a fun view to enjoy, before we departed!

What's Notable?
We slept in a museum! That's really what it was.  There are lots of bed & breakfasts that try to preserve the original feel of a home or building.  But there are always some framed prints and knickknacks and doodads that just make me wince.  I'm not any huge authority on Victorian furniture or Art Nouveau design, but I can sense when something feels authentic.  This felt like the real deal.  Not sure how often  you get to sleep in the real deal!
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Update!!
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Don and I have such a long list of places we want to experience, that we rarely revisit hotels. But in September, we headed back for another stay at Rockcliffe Mansion!
The drive up looked different. I didn't remember seeing the street-lamps, 4 years ago.
​As we approached the beautiful mansion we could see they were in the midst of exterior renovations. That's a good thing. We want this place to be around forever.

Just the Same
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We were so glad to see the familiar interior. The Turkish room was Don's favorite. It looked as amazing as we had remembered. I had fond memories of the porch and visiting with Juan. This time we had wine and cheese with Warren, as well. We felt right at home!
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Third Floor Changes
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Once again, Don and I booked a third floor room. This time we had the newly renovated Governess' Room. The ballroom down the hall, also had undergone a facelift. The ceiling and wallpaper in both rooms was just amazing. So many designs and angles. Just beautiful!

​Vintage Bath
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Our third floor bathroom had been remodeled since our visit. It had a wonderful vintage tub, sink and chain-pull toilet. The window was pretty sweet, with lace curtains and decorated window sill. 

Morning

In the morning Don and I had a decadent breakfast in the gracious dining room and heard some amusing stories from Juan and Warren about the recent wallpaper and streetlamp projects. Don and I were relieved to see that Rockcliffe was in good care. 
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Before taking off, Warren steered us towards the third stair, where Mark Twain once gave his talk. We should have quoted a famous line or two, while we posed for a photo. 

What a fun revisit! Maybe Don and I will  surprise ourselves and really break our 1-stay habit, by returning for a third visit! 
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#44 Pere Marquette Lodge

11/8/2014

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CCC Lodge Near Grafton, IL
This cute little cottage-looking entrance hardly matched the  rustic log and stone     structure of my memory. 
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Just As We Remembered
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This is what Don and I were both eager to see!  It had been a few decades since our last stay.  We were glad to see few changes in the grand open space with log beams and comfy lodge furniture and the giant chess board!  The only new addtions were the sort of odd "patchwork leaf quilts" hanging from the beams.
Cozy
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All we needed was cold weather so we could enjoy a fire in the massive 50- foot limestone fireplace.   No fire, but we could still enjoy the big green chairs!
And More Chairs!
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I had forgotten how many sitting areas there were!  There were rattan chairs gathered around a tabletop game of shuffle board...  
...and there were wicker chairs surrounding tables with checkerboards and clunky puzzle games.  

 
In truth, when we arrived at 3pm, there was hardly a free chair for sitting.  The annual "Apple Festival" was just ending and the whole lodge was crawling with kids in face paint, clowns twisting balloons... booths of fall crafts, kettle corn and pumpkins... and a live band!  It took a little while before the lodge became peaceful again!
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The Historic Wing

We hiked up a flight to room 222 in the Historic Wing.
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There have been lots of renovations since the lodge was completed in 1940.  We like old, so we didn't want a room in the new addition. Sadly the only thing that hinted at old, were the windows.   It was nice having an updated flat screen TV and a decent bed, but I was kind of hoping for some log beams or some of that big chunky lodge furniture.  Or how about a picture on the wall.  I think they forgot?
Ahhh!
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But the windows were great, offering a view of the Illinois River along with a warm fall breeze!  And we had the added treat of champagne and chocolates, as well as a $50. voucher for dinner.  I'll admit,  our package was more about numbers than romance.  We were on a 22-day road trip after all.  We just did the calculating and this was the best deal.
Little Extras
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What the room lacked in rustic decor, it made up for with good bathroom counter space and a checkerboard table with checkers!  It even had a Kuerig coffee maker, which was a surprise in a State Park owned lodge.  We never expect frills.
Then and Now
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Don and I stayed at Pere Marquette  in the fall of 1985. I remember sitting in Adirondack chairs on the back terrace.  It was a little cooler and we had the place to ourselves, staring out over the sloping lawn to the Illinois River.
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The Adirondacks  have been replaces by metal tables with umbrellas.  I missed sitting in those old wooden chairs, but the view was just the same.   
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Plus, I had a place to put my glass of wine when I took a photo.

Sunset
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And then I had my turn to pose.. on the very log where we propped our feet, years ago.
Dining at The Lodge
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On a Sunday evening the dining room was packed with families feasting on fried chicken and other lodge favorites.  The place was thinning out when we arrived after sunset and we could tell the staff was ready for "Apple Festival Day" to be over.  I was eager to try the Goat Cliff Soup, I'd heard about.  Our server nearly sneered as he told me there was no such thing.  Maybe that just means Soup of the Day?  I was afraid to ask again.  I ordered pot roast and Don ordered salmon.  It was tasty and the seats were so comfy we wanted to linger forever. But we took the hints from the yawning staff and moved along.
Morning!
On Monday, Don and I woke rested and ready to go.  We had hoped to head down this wonderful log-filled hallway to the indoor pool and exercise room.  We were needing to burn off a few calories on our 22-day road trip.  I stopped at the desk   to ask when the workout room opened.  "Really? 8:00?"  I sort of whined,  "I was hoping to be done exercising by 8."  It was clear there was no flexility with opening the little room that held all of 3 pieces of equipment!  So Don and I skipped our exercise and went for breakfast.
 
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Breakfast
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Breakfast

The dining room was pretty empty in the morning.  I needed a strong cup of coffee to focus on the menu, which was cleverly written as a quiz about historical explorers. (Remember, this is a State Park)  I chuckled about this to the waitress who didn't seem amused as she snatched our menus and hurried off with our order. 
Don and I made it a point to amuse ourselves by asking her questions every time she came to our table.  I don't believe she ever had 2 feet on the ground at once.  She answered every question with one sentence as she moved away from our table.  I'm not sure why she was in such a hurry?  There was hardly anyone there.
Exploring the Dining Room

After we finished breakfast we wandered a bit.  I'm sure our waitress felt like a mother who was ready to shoo her kids outside to play after breakfast.  I messed with the well and surprised myself with a blast of water.
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Admiring the Fireplace
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We spent a little time studying the stone fireplace with all the harvest decor.  I hope our waitress didn't hear me complaining.  I love real pumpkins and wheat, but I get really tired of cutesy scarecrows and fake leaves.  You know you've been on the road for 9 days when you start getting picky about things like that. 
Morning Walk
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Let me end with some photos from our morning walk, before we checked out.  Pere Marquette is an absolutely beautiful State Park.   
What's Notable?
This is a State Park Lodge, not a hotel.  I griped a little about this and that, but in truth, I love the park feel.  The prices were more park than hotel and the historic limestone & timber building was more park than hotel.  We are lucky to still have places like this and I'm so grateful that we were able to return!
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#43 The Original Springs Hotel

11/6/2014

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Okawville, IL

This old hotel and bathhouse has been sitting in this tiny town since 1891.

I'm not sure what the place looked like 123 years ago, but when Don and I stayed in September, it looked exactly the same as it did in 1984.
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30 Years Ago
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Don and I were living in St. Louis in the '80's, when we heard about this place, just a 45 minute drive from the Arch.  However, we arrived on bikes and it took a lot longer. I was too sore and exhausted to care about luxury, but I remember chuckling at the "time warp" experience. 
Saturday at the Spa
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When we visited recently, I was surprised to find Okawville, smaller and quieter than I remembered.  When we walked through the open front door, we actually saw others checking in at the front desk.  I expected to see no one. How did they even hear about this place?  We had to wait a bit while some couples checked in and made arrangements for massages and spa treatments.  Really?
A Bit Worn
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I sound like a spa snob.  In fact I know very little about spas.  This was just not the atmosphere where I could picture people coming for a weekend of pampering.   The lobby was comfy enough, like Grandma's house... with lace doilies and autumn scarecrow decor.  A breeze was blowing through the lacy curtains,  causing the advertisement fliers, taped to the woodwork to flutter.  It was the kind of comfy that made you want to take off your shoes and tilt back on the Lazy Boy with a Reader's Digest.  I just couldn't see myself signing up for a Detoxifying Body Wrap or a Deep Tissue Massage.
Upstairs
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There was no elevator, but they had an awesome staircase to our second floor room.  My photos are good at disguising stains on walls and carpets. They also hide some of the old building smells.  I'm not complaining though, we like old hotels and we had asked for one of the older rooms.  We were just happy this place still existed! 
Room 92
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When we opened the door my senses were bombarded. Visually, the green and burgundy decor transported me right back to 1980's!  Little straw hats and dried flowers decorated the walls and wallpaper border.  A curious swag of material hung above a rather grimy window.  And what was that smell coming through the window...? 
Yummm!
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I'm talking about good smells... the aroma of mouthwatering sirloin and sizzling pork chops!  It was hard to see through the window, but we could see well enough to realize we had a view of the roof of The "Boiler Room Restaurant". 
 The kitchen blower was right on the other side of the glass.  It's good Don and I are not vegetarian or we could have had a real problem with this.  Mostly it just made us laugh... and made us hungry.
What Shall We Do?
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We had the whole afternoon to enjoy! What should we do?  30 years ago, I did partake of the bathhouse experience, with a soak in the hot mineral waters.  I remember the attendant delivering me to my tiny dark room with a claw-footed tub, that had been filled with a hose.  I remember I had a hard time suppressing my giggles at the whole situation. I've never been very good at relaxing.
A Quick Tour
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We decide against spa time, but did take a little peek.  The old steam cabinets and massive tubs had been removed.  A "modern" tub tried to tempt us with some awaiting mineral water.  The wooden loungers, covered in sheets, looked like ghosts rising slowly.
Where are the Old Tubs?
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I wondered where the old bathhouse equipment was.  I was told by a woman at the desk that lots of old goodies were now up in the attic.  When I looked up at the windows  from outside, I could tell she wasn't lying!
The Pool
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We remembered the pool from our last visit.  The hand painted stairs, the surrounding picket fence and the glassed in ceiling.  Mostly we remembered an encounter with a gentleman 30 years ago.  He had approached Don with an almost frightened expression.  "You look just like my son."  We've always wondered about that.  We didn't have anymore people encounters near the pool, but Don did make use by doing a little lap swimming. 
Ahhh! The Porch!
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The porch looked more inviting this time.  The wicker furniture was pretty comfy and the weather was lovely!   It felt good to sit and do a little nothing.  This was the 7th night of our 22-day road trip and we were ready for a little porch time.
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While we relaxed, the church next door entertained us with a carillon concert.  The churchy hymns made me feel like I should get into my Sunday clothes.  
But then the bells surprised me with a performance of "We shall overcome..."  I've never heard that played on church bells!  The concert ended and we suddenly heard the clomping of horse's hoofs.  I looked up to see a bride and groom riding by in the backseat of a carriage.  A few minutes later the driver rolled past, minus the bride and groom.  What interesting entertainment.
Saturday Night Dining in Okawville
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Lucky for us the hotel had a restaurant in the basement.  As far as I know there were no other dining options in Okawville.  By the time we made it down to The Boiler Room for a meal of pork chops and chicken, there was hardly a table left.
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This photo, taken earlier, shows the festive fall decor and cozy corner bar.  We sat at a table between the glowing juke box and non-glowing fireplace.  It was a perfect spot for people watching and there was a lot of that to be had.  We seemed to be the only diners who weren't a part of a large, local family reunion.  Lots of greeting and hugging and mingling.  We looked a little out of place as we sat glued to our table. 
Time for Bed!
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This is not a picture of our hotel turn down service.  It's just a sad little picture of a very weary old bedspread with a torn ruffle. I removed the Kleenex-thin spread and placed it on the chair.   We could have enjoyed a little television time before turning in, but decided to give the old Zenith a rest.  I'm pretty sure that TV was there when we stayed in 1984. 
Morning
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Don and I try to enjoy each overnight with a little exploring in the area.  Our hotel was in a pretty ideal location for a morning walk... that included, cornfields, kittens, a church or two and this sweet barn!  
We returned to our room where we were greeted with a blast of new aromas!  Bacon and sausage smells filled our room!  All we could do was laugh!
What's Notable?
The old O. S. Hotel   was indeed... old.  The 1980's updates can't be called updates anymore.  But the hodgepodge mix of ages was oddly charming to me.  AND, THE PORCH!  I love a porch!!
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#42  Old Dutch Hotel & Tavern

11/3/2014

1 Comment

 
Washington, Missouri

The 6th night of our 22-day road trip was spent in a small Missouri town... settled by 12 German families in 1833. Kind of makes you wonder about the Old Dutch Hotel?  The only Dutch thing I know about this town is that Henry Tibb came here from Holland and  opened up a  corncob pipe factory in 1869.  
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Loving the Sign!
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Washington happens to be the Corncob Pipe Capital of the World, but that's not why visitors come. Many are drawn to the area because of the nearby scenic wineries.  Before prohibition , Missouri was the largest wine producing state in the country!  

For us, Washington just seemed like a good stop along our map AND I saw a picture of that awesome windmill sign on the internet.  I love a good neon windmill, that looks like it's spinning!   
The Lobby
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There wasn't much of a lobby.  It almost had the feel of a welcome desk in a nice apartment complex.  No big lounge chairs or lobby bars.  No trickling fountains or piped in music.  Just a big desk, made from a wooden icebox.  I kind of liked the simplicity and the peacefulness of it!
History
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The young woman at the desk didn't know much about the history, but I found this framed photo showing when the Old Dutch had barber shop. I also read that when the  building opened in 1923, it was a butcher shop. Lot's of chopping and cutting happened in this old building!  About 10 years after construction, the building became a hotel.  It was in it pretty bad shape in 2010 when the current owners rescued it.  I love rescue stories and I'm always glad to give support as a customer!
Our Room
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I loved our row of windows letting in tons of bright light.  Nice bed and linens, fresh paint and carpet!  I'm a big fan of retro and I'll put up with all sorts of cobwebs to experience a little history.  But we didn't have to here.
Bathroom

There wasn't anything spectacular about the bathroom, but it was very comfortable.  It's amazing how some of the very nicest hotels just don't give you an ounce of counter space by the sink.  When you're living out of a suitcase for 22 days, you really appreciate some space for a couple of ditty bags. 

I liked the woodwork around the doors, too. Much of the original wood was too far gone to be saved, but they did a nice job recreating the old look.
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The Tavern
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We didn't get to enjoy the hotel's Restaurant/Tavern till  about 9:00 pm.  It was filled with a lively mix of mostly locals, who greeted each other in a way that made me envious.  It was "small town" without feeling backward or limiting.  You can't be too small of a town and offer 50 kinds of micro brews! 
Regional Favorite!
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We had already eaten a bit earlier, so we just went for appetizers.  Since we weren't far from St. Louis, we were able to enjoy our favorite St. Louis Italian treat, TOASTED RAVIOLI!  Yay!  it's been so long.  We also shared a decent salad and enjoyed a little conversing with our 2 bartenders. Both young women were very busy, but incredibly warm and welcoming.  
One bartender even got out from behind the bar and showed us around the restaurant, pointing out some of the original features, like the tin ceiling and some old doors used as dividers.  She was intrigued with our road trip agenda and introduced us to a table of locals. For some reason she seemed sure we would all get along.  We chatted with the 4 couple for while before heading upstairs.
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Chili Cook Off...Earlier
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The reason we hadn't been so hungry, was because we lucked into the annual Chili Cook Off, earlier in the evening. Ordinarily we avoid festivals that complicate our stays.  But what a treat to walk down from our hotel to the lively downtown square, just above the Missouri Riverfront.  Don and I bought a couple chili mugs and went around getting samples from all the decorated booths.  You may notice the corncob pipes in this fellow's overalls.  He was representing Meerchaum's Corncob Pipe Factory.  We weren't about to forget that Washington is the Corncob Pipe Capital of the World!
Morning
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The next day, we made use of our great location and had a predawn walk along the riverfront.  We walked by the Meerschaum Factory, built in 1883.  Did I mention that Washington is the Corncob...?
Fog
We walked by the train tracks near the old railroad depot and wandered through the fog down to the river.  A few men sipped coffee  aboard a Coast Guard boat, waiting for the fog to lift. 


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We headed back to the hotel where we knew a continental breakfast awaited, but found ourselves drawn in by another neon sign.  We didn't have pie at Cowan's, but we had a huge breakfast!
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What's Notable?

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We didn't have much choice in Washington. I think the Old Dutch is the only hotel.  But what a great stay.  I have to admit my good memory is really a combination of idyllic, fall weather and welcoming small town atmosphere.  It wasn't just the hotel that I will remember, but the hotel/town package!
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    Ninety Notable        Nights

    My New Year's Resolution for 2014 was to start documenting some of the memorable overnights I've had in some very odd and curious motels and hotels. Like the adventures in my Dining Blog, I have learned to enjoy the surprises that happen when you step out of the comfort zone, far away from the well-known chains.    

    I began with a few entries recalling my very first home away from home memories from my youth.  Then, I started sharing about some of the quirky and unforgettable motels, hotels and inns that my husband and I have discovered in recent years.

    ​The best part about this challenge was making some lists with Don and getting on the road in search of new overnight adventures.  I gave myself a 2-year goal to write up 90 stories and the goal was met. Now we just keep on adding!

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