Dubuque's Grandest This fall, Don and I stayed in the grandest hotel of Dubuque, Iowa! Well, the tallest and oldest maybe. The 8-story, 133 room hotel on Main Street, is indeed impressive today. Long Ago The history of Hotel Julien, began as Waples House Hotel, in 1839... or 1844? (I've read both) The impressive building was Dubuque's first lodge. The Waples House was enlarged, refurbished and renamed Julien House, in 1854. (Why'd they remove all the fun stuff?) In 1913, a massive fire destroyed most of the hotel, but it was rebuilt. Julien Dubuque? It wasn't until we arrived at our hotel that I allowed myself to even wonder about the name Julien. Or the name Dubuque for that matter. Julien Dubuque was actually a person. Most Iowans probably know that. But I had to wander around to the rear entrance of the hotel to learn a little history. The sculpture near the back door, gave me a little hint. The plaque above the mighty, shirtless hero, told me that Julien Dubuque was the "Adventurer and FOUNDER" of Dubuque! We found more images of the the rugged fellow around town! Is that an earring? He looks like Tom Selleck. Afternoon Arrival It was a pretty fall afternoon when we arrived in Dubuque. We parked in a free lot and crossed Main Street, to the brick and stone building, The exterior still looked neat and tidy, after a major renovation from 2007-2009. There were 3 enormous windows. From inside, the lower half offered views from the lobby. You could gaze our the upper half, from the mezzanine. Lobby The lobby was nicely redone with a circular settee in the center, holding a generous display of flowers. I wonder how the lobby looked when Al Capone once owned the hotel. Or is that true? I read that he owned the hotel for a short time, when he liked to escape to Dubuque from Chicago. Really? Closed Rats, the Riverboat Lounge was closed on Sunday. I couldn't even peek in through the dark glass. Since I knew the Mississippi River was just a couple blocks away, I pictured the lounge playing up the Riverboat Theme, quite well! Letters & Lincoln It was fun spotting little bits from the past. There was a grand old mailbox, near the elevator. Wish I'd had a letter to send. There was nice display in the front of the lobby with old photos and news clips. Supposedly Abe paid a visit to the hotel, long before he was president. Long before his beard. Where to Hang Out? Don and I are always in search of the best spot to hang out. I knew it wasn't going to be the fancy settee in the lobby, There was a nice area around the fireplace. And there was another cozy spot behind the stairs. We seemed to have the hotel to ourselves. Heading Up We headed up to explore more. The elegant stairway made a dramatic split... where you could pause and ponder which direction to go, while checking your hairdo in the mirror. The giant mirror was actually salvaged from the Ziegfeld Theatre in NYC. Supposedly many performers from Will Rogers to W.C. Fields, checked their costumes in this mirror before hitting the stage. Mezzanine I do appreciate a 2-story lobby, where you can sit below and study activity above. Best of all, I love wandering the mezzanine level and enjoying every angle of the lobby below. If there had been just a little lobby activity, it would have been more entertaining. I could have spied on the arriving travelers, without them noticing. The Ballroom There wasn't any activity in the Ballroom either. If I'd been 6-year-old Eloise who lived at The Plaza Hotel (in my favorite childhood book) I would have made use of all the open space. Actually Don and I have been known to sneak in a quick dance step, in empty ballrooms... Hanging Out on the Second Floor We were disappointed that we couldn't make use of the Riverboat Lounge during our stay. So we turned to the empty Mezzanine and let it be our own private lounge. The railings made us feel like we were on the upper deck of a riverboat. And the rounded windows, gave us a view! We made drinks in our room and brought them to the comfy chairs and had a lovely time. It was fun to see the upper portion of those grand windows, that I'd admired from outside. We didn't get to view the Mississippi, since it was behind the hotel. But it was fun looking out at the old buildings. A few had curious murals. Caroline's The doors to the hotel's restaurant reminded me of a fancy supper club, in the 1960's. It was 1962 when the hotel changed hands and became the modern "Julien Motor Inn". The term motor inn clearly was attempting to attract more car travelers. My family's Ford Galaxy would have been welcomed nicely in 1962! Stained Glass and Plates I took a peek behind those diamond doors and found a rather grand dining table with some curious features. The stained glass on the right, looked noteworthy. Was that an air vent on the left lower wall? Such curious swirls of metal. I of course loved the illuminated display of plates! Plate displays can be for sort of cheesy, but these were old china plates from famous hotels. I adore vintage hotel china and I recognized a few hotels that are on the Notable Night blog! Time to Eat After wandering a bit (and finding more china displays) and peeking at the menu, we were sold. The large dining room only had a few guests, but the wait staff made the atmosphere warm and welcoming. My Cobb Salad was insane! Insanely good! And look at the metal work behind me. Does that match the vent in the special dining room? Don's Pretzel Crusted Chicken with taters and asparagus was delish. We were pleasantly surprised. Lack of diners was not a reflection of the chef! 8th Floor Room We had asked for an upper room, in hopes of a decent view. We were happy for an elevator to help get our bags to the 8th floor. Once again we were glad to have at least one comfy chair, for our one traveler with a bad back! There was plenty of space and I was pleased to see real coffee mugs and real wine glasses! We've seen so many disposables, since the pandemic. The bathroom was decent enough, but once again, the frosted glass door to leading to the bathroom annoyed me. I often rise much earlier. Poor Don had to put up with a glowing guest room, when I showered at 6. But the space was decent enough. Who knows how guests dealt with bathing and toilet issues when this was Waples House! Window!! Our room faced Main Street, so no view of the Mississippi. But I totally enjoyed gazing out our window, at anytime of day! At 7:30 am, I loved seeing the morning light, glowing on the distant bluffs. At 11 am, I could watch a little more activity on the sidewalk, along Main Street. Or check the flower boxes and rooftops! Best of all I could zoom in, like Jimmy Stewart in Rear Window. I spotted no murders, but I did zoom in and notice that some workmen were preparing to work on a steeple. And after a long morning of walking, I was able to recognize the places we explored. I could spot the white building at the top of the fabulous railway, that took us up to the high bluff... with the best view of Dubuque! Exploring Dubuque We were happy that check out was at noon. That gave us a full morning to explore historic old Dubuque, before loading the car. We had done zero research before our arrival. No expectations! So our morning of wandering, totally thrilled us with one surprise after another! What's Notable? There was nothing over the top memorable about the historic building or our room itself. But I will always remember our "private" mezzanine and our relaxed and tasty dinner. I'll remember our view that delighted me, even if it included a parking lot and roof solar panels. Mostly my memories will be about the connection of the hotel with the historic city. It may not be a huge tourist destination, but there was lots to see. So many curious old buildings in such a small area, between the bluffs and river! Comfy hotel, easy parking and fun wandering!
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Sleeping at the Mill Don and I spent a night in a textile mill! That was a first! It was a chilly October day when we spent the night in the 168-year-old mill. Millwright? I was intrigued when I searched the internet and found Hotel Millwright.Their website was educational and inviting. I didn't know a Millwright was an occupation. The hard workers in the photo below, could be millwrights. ? But maybe not. A millwright is more than a factory worker. "A millwright is a craftsperson or skilled tradesperson who installs, dismantles, maintains, repairs, reassembles, and moves machinery in factories, power plants, and construction sites." Long History Our hotel was within the old Amana Woolen Mill complex. It dates back to 1855, when German "Radical Pietists" fled their homeland and settled in east central Iowa. The mill sits in the middle of the Village of Amana. (There are 7 villages in the Amana Colonies... worth Googling!) For 80 years, the colonies were mostly self-sufficient. Through crafting and farming, the families lived a communal life, until 1932. Hotel Millwright In the mid 1800's, the textile mill was the industrial center of Amana. Today, it's still a producing wool products... the only remaining textile mill in Iowa. In recent years, some of the buildings on the property have been renovated into impressive hotel rooms, dining and event spaces. Arriving In Amama It was about 5 on a Thursday, when Don and I arrived in the Village of Amana. The quaint town looked tidy and decorated and very quiet on a blustery fall evening. Millwright Lobby The 8-acre complex, looked equally quiet There were so many buildings! I finally spotted the lobby entrance, next to the old smoke stack. Lobby I had to grin when I stepped through the doors. Soaring ceilings, exposed pipes and beams. Brick walls here, concrete there. Scattered sitting areas throughout. What a fabulous renovation! The staff at the desk seemed delighted to share about the history, The older gentleman showed me around the lobby. The younger woman at the desk pointed out the complimentary popcorn, that had just finished popping! My kind of place! I crossed the room where I spotted an artistic wall, decorated with colorful spools of wool. I headed for the door and paused at the peculiar fireplace. Yes! Don and I will need to sit there later and eat popcorn! Here and There I was eager to get settled in our room, but I was dying to get out and explore the grounds, before the rains came. The weather was already damp and windy. There were so many fun areas for sitting out! If it had just been warmer. The Electric Thread Social Club was in a cute separate building. There was a patio with tables and strings of festive lights, but the chilly temps made it less tempting. Quick Look at the Property I dashed from one building to the next, taking it all in. Brick, stucco...wood.. Fall flowers still lingering... I read "Warped & Woven" on one building. A shop! Rats, it was closed. I read "Carding Studio" on another. I clearly needed a tour guide to explain it all! I loved finding a cluster of gliding Adirondack chairs, near the white building. If only we'd had some of those cozy Amana wool blankets, we could have braved the wind and glided for a while! Inside Halls We parked near a back entrance and wandered down some interesting hallways, to find our room. The gray walls held classy displays of old pieces of mill equipment. Intriguing old photos and artwork lined other walls. What were the rolling bins used for? Room 123 Our room on the first floor was spacious and comfy. We even had some very clever "Do not disturb" door hangers! "Counting Sheep" and "Tied Up!" Love it!! There was a strange pillar in the room and metal pieces jutting from the freshly painted wall. Those were reminders that we were not staying at a nicely renovated historic hotel. This room probably never had paint on the walls until a few years ago. Who knows what this very space was used for 100 years ago? The king bed almost looked small, in the large room. The view wasn't the best. Just a wall with trees beyond. But I believe the Mill Race canal was on the other side of the wall. The canal played a big part in the mill. For over a century, the mill has produced top quality woolens, sold throughout the U.S. Our bed was covered in one of those luxurious wool blankets. Wall Decor I loved the history, decorating the walls in our room. The men in the photo above our bed, didn't look thrilled as they labored with wool. I hope they slept well at night, under cozy woolen blankets! The bathroom and sitting areas were clean and sleek and comfortable. Don always appreciates a good chair. He got his wish. Steps Away The whole building was filled with curious stuff! Just outside of our room we had a massive loom from the early 1900s. Once used for making wool carpets. There were so many mystery items. What were those cylinders? Now, I did of course recognize the toy Amana truck! My family owned an Amana deep freeze in the 1960's. It was in 1936 that another mill in the Colonies closed and became a factory, that produced refrigerators! "Amana... a Raytheon Company" are the words on the toy. Endless Stuff! Don and I explored inside, as weather got stormy outside. Sometimes old photos helped us understand what the odd pieces of machinery once did. Other machines needed no explanation. There wasn't a hall or stairway, that didn't urge us to stop and ponder. I loved the clever ways they displayed the wool fabric designs. The People And the photos! I could have stood and studied faces forever! Who were these people who lived in Amana, in separate kitchen-less houses... eating meals in communal dining halls... working for no pay? A Utopia? Not sure about that. But I would so love to speak to someone who remembers living in the Amanas. Sitting a Spell Don and I wandered and lounged a bit, here and there. The fireplace was made of a curious blend of discarded materials. I had a hard time sitting still with all these wild displays that begged me to touch! Don knows more about odd drills and he showed me how the thing worked. Eating and Dining Besides the Electric Thread Club, we had lots of dining and drinking options in our building. All looked cool and warehouse-y! None of the chairs looked comfy. When we spotted two comfy chairs beneath the old Indigo Blue advertisement, we happily took a seat. Don got us drinks from the bar and we toasted to the Amana Colonies! We always have a toast at every hotel. The Indigo Room After we finished our drinks we moved into the restaurant area and sat in a cushioned booth, beneath a wall decorated in circles. Some circles were covered in wool fabric. Others circles displayed old photographs. For less than $20. Don and I had a simple and delicious feast of Mushroom & Prosciutto Pizza AND Fried Pork Cutlet Sliders! Look at the giant crusty meat on Don's tiny bun! Crazy! Morning Don and I slept well in our quiet room. I woke before dawn and did my usual. I threw clothes and coat on, over my pjs and dashed out to see what the world looked like! It was still windy and drizzly, but I my raincoat and it did the job. Weaving Building I saw lights in some lower windows of the old Weaving Building. What a treat to be able to peek in the low windows and see the space where wool blankets and throws are still made today. There must be a name for the magical design, that is sort of created when the individual yarn strands fan out, from their spools. The hotel's logo made much more sense after I peered in the windows. Quick Walk As the drizzle turned to rain, I headed down the empty street towards town. I hated knowing we had to leave early that morning. I so wish we could have explored the town and a few of the other Amana Villages. It was hard to pull away at 8 on that quiet morning. What's Notable? Even though Hotel Millwright's website made the hotel look very inviting, Don and I weren't sure what to expect. It was even more classy and cozy and interesting that we had imagined. For $100.(+tax) we stayed in a lovely, immaculate room, in a hotel that was once a textile mill! Even though my photo here looks a little ominous, the grounds are also immaculate and welcoming. I so hope the tourists who flock to the Amama Villages will support this wonderful place. I'm so glad the history has been preserved so that we can all enjoy!
Big Night in the Amana Colonies The 16th night of our road trip landed us in The Amana Colonies of Iowa. It was October 5, which happened to be Don's 60th birthday. This is not the place most wish for, when dreaming up big landmark birthday celebrations. But Don was busy trying to ignore his birthday, so we didn't really need a lavish hotel with ballrooms and champagne. Besides, who says you can't celebrate in the Amana Colonies? We aren't talking Amish... although many confuse them. Homestead Hotel Our hotel was built in 1862, when the 4-block town of Homestead needed accommodations for travelers arriving at the nearby stagecoach stop and train depot. At 20 years old, Homestead was then, the youngest of the 7 villages that made up The Amana's. In 1862 In 1862 the hotel opened with 15 guest rooms and one bathroom, all upstairs. The kitchen, dining room and private residence were downstairs. The hotel was probably pretty skilled at serving large groups of guests since at one time the Amana's had over 50 communal kitchens. The German immigrants, who made up the Amana Colonies lived a communal life, sharing everything from labor to food. There were no pay checks, children went to school 6 days a week and worship services were attended 11 times a week. Sounds like a fun place for a birthday celebration to me! Today? The Amana's set aside communal living in 1932 and today you can find lots of beer in the German villages! But the best part is how amazingly peaceful it still is, despite some weekend tourists. This was the view right outside the door. Stepping Inside We arrived at 6 on Sunday evening and headed into the little welcome area. Owners, Bonnie and Brian greeted us from behind the desk. Brian wore overalls and sighed like he'd just come in from a hard day's work on the farm. Bonnie laughed that it had indeed been quite a day. But they weren't exhausted by farm work. The Amana's had been celebrating Octoberfest all weekend. They were happily exhausted from all the tourism. Zuber? Bonnie and Bill are not the Zubers. The hotel is named for Bill Zuber who grew up in The Amana's and had a 19-year career in pro baseball. He and his wife bought the hotel in 1949 and operated as a restaurant until 2006. His old uniforms were on display behind glass and a tile floor near the kitchen showed an image of Zuber pitching. Wagon Wheel Room This room was added by the Zubers in 1961. It reminded me of my own family room in Grinnell, Iowa back in the '60's. Something about the paneling and lots of Americana... and games and TV! It was pretty cozy and welcoming, especially since brownie treats and coffee were up for grabs. Our Room The whole interior felt more 1962 than 1862. There have been other more recent updates, but I kind of liked the odd '60's feel. It was easier to picture Dick, Jane and Sally roaming these halls than a little German girl with long braids and an apron. Railroad Room! Our corner room was on the second floor. It had a train theme going on, that would have thrilled the Birthday Boy about 50+ years ago. (I should have gotten him some railroad pjs for his birthday!) But l love trains and I love a theme, so I took it all in, from train books, to a framed map of rail lines, to lanterns, to a beautiful model train crafted by a local. Trains at Night It was very quiet after we got back from a German feast at Ronnenburg's that night. I think the hotel was actually full, but there seemed to be quite a few old-timers staying over, who turned in early. No TV noise or traffic sounds to keep us awake. Just a few soothing train whistles that fit the theme! Breakfast A breakfast buffet was served in the Wagon Wheel Room. Unlike this photo (taken the evening before) almost every table was taken. The old timers who went to bed early were up early, too. In fact I looked around and wondered where these folks came from. In the past, Don and I have met incredibly interesting and incredibly dull people at B&Bs. This was one of those times I was sort of relieved not to be sharing a big table with fellow guests, all talking about what fall crafts were purchased at the Octoberfest. Not Dull Don is talking to the Diane, who cooked the wonderful buffet. Diane was more delightful than dull and her food was excellent! She's looking a little serious here, because we just handed her our Ford Motor Cookbook from 1952. It had an illustration of "Bill Zuber's Restaurant" and a recipe for Obst Kuchen. Breakfast and the Book This dull photo does not reveal the delicious flavors of my breakfast! Egg casserole with tomato and corn, poppyseed coffee cake, orange French toast...! It was a nice change having a B&B buffet and getting to choose! I was glad I kept the cookbook handy since Bonnie and Brian stopped in to greet folks. They were both pretty thrilled to see this retro book and asked to make photo copies. Who knows, they may be serving up that odd, rhubarb filled fruit cake before long! What's Notable? We stayed in a hotel, built in a communal village. That's what I'll remember. It had a completely different feel than other historic hotels or Victorian Bed & Breakfasts. It wasn't a ranch and it wasn't a lodge and it certainly wasn't a motel or motor court. Mostly it was just plain comfortable. Bonnie, Brian and Diane all welcomed us as if we were neighbors that they cared about but weren't trying to impress. Maybe that doesn't sound like a compliment, but to me that was just what was needed on the 16th night of our trip.
As for the Colonies? I'm still trying to wrap my head around the idea of our hotel being part of a German speaking community, 152 years ago. I'm already itching to go back and absorb all the history we didn't have time for! Going Home! On the 15th day of our road trip, Don and I made it to my old hometown! Where to Stay? Weeks earlier, I searched online for a place to stay. I hadn't been back to Iowa since I was 12, in 1969. so I had no idea about options. My memories of Grinnell had always been ridiculously Norman Rockwell-ish, so I wanted a special place. When I saw the photo of this lovely Victorian B&B, I grew eager. The Marsh House might be as close as I could get, to staying in my old (not exactly grand) house. Exploring Weather had turned cold and blustery by the time we arrived. We spent a few dizzy hours searching for places I remembered. My old yellow house had turned blue, Cooper School was now a parking lot, my favorite candy store was boarded up... But, I found my old church and favorite park and the old downtown still looked pretty sweet. Memories of Fall So many memories came back as I spotted old sidewalks and changing leaves. But I was suddenly eager to get to the Marsh House and be cozy and warm and sulk a little about the fact I no longer knew anyone in Grinnell. Even the locals I'd spoken with, had been too young or too new, to remember the things I asked about. Everything appeared warped. Not quite how I remembered. Checking In We found our B&B in a quiet neighborhood. As we approached the shady porch, I allowed myself to fret for a moment that we hadn't called ahead to make sure our reservations were in place. We rang the bell and waited a while. I could see a woman peer out, before unlocking the door. Her expression looked as if she thought we might be selling something. But our quiet host Linda, had been expecting us. She showed us around the beautiful Victorian home, built in 1892. She gave us a key and welcomed us to park in back. The Back Door I kind of liked having a key to the backdoor. I felt like a college kid, coming home for the holiday. The kitchen was warm and quiet, when we entered. Linda had gone downstairs to finish some ironing, but had already invited us to help ourselves to coffee or drinks in the fridge. Through the House We carried our bags to the entryway and I peeked through the pocket doors to the parlor, where an antique pump organ reminded me of my old Grinnell home. My sibs and I used to have a a good old time filling the house with haunted music on our wood organ. One would frantically work up a sweat, pumping the pedals, while another pressed the keys creating clashing chords. I didn't dare touch the Marsh House organ. Going Up We walked by the elegant fireplace and headed up the stairs. I paused to admire a colorful stained glass window, that refused to let in the gloomy day! Warm Wood I made use of the beautifully carved banister as I dragged my weary self upward. (After 15 days of 1-night stays, I was beginning to feel my age) The sight of our door with warm, dark wood and rounded frame was inviting. Quite the Hall Our door and about 4 others, opened to an airy hall, with yet another fireplace and more antiques. Linda told us she would be heading home soon, but another couple would be staying the night. Later, when I heard the floors creak under foot, I wished we'd had the place to ourselves. I wasn't in the mood for whispering and tiptoeing or even chatting with strangers. I was feeling sorry for myself. I was frustrated that there was no one in the entire town who wanted to share Grinnell memories with me. Even our hosts were originally from another state. Our Sweet Room We didn't have the turret room, but we did have a cozy, corner room with an antique bed. Surprisingly, it was as comfortable as it was beautiful. But I was a bit distracted by my homecoming melancholy. I wasn't absorbing all the incredible details. I had to remind myself to stop moping and start noticing. Hidden Things There was nothing hidden about the gold painted radiator! I love the look of an old radiator and the gold sort of made me grin. Then, there was a hefty, antique wardrobe, that was hiding a Murphy bed! And there was a TV hidden in the closet. Don and I chuckled over Linda's offer to pull it out and set it up. TV was the last thing we were interested in, but it was nice that she asked. Room With a View I wish it had been warm enough to open the corner windows for a breeze. But at least I got to peek through the lace curtains, which offered a nice neighborhood view... along with some curious activity! Two police cars had stopped to question a woman. That was an entertaining distraction. I felt like Jimmy Stewart in Rear Window, waiting for the story to unfold. Lounging I adored the pink chaise lounge chair and the Victorian lamp, that had to be turned off for this photo... because the "beaded light" made me look like I had chicken pox. The bathroom was attached, which was a treat. You have to love a marble sink and wooden toilet with a funny push button flusher! Morning at Marsh House Don and I slept well despite a few train whistles. The sound was a little more nostalgia for me! I remember putting pennies on the Grinnell railroad tracks. I also remember lying in bed as a child at night, listening to the trains. We rose early and tiptoed over the creaky floors past the Murphy bed, trying not to wake our neighbors on our way down to breakfast. Dining Room Linda and her husband Jim were busy in the kitchen. We greeted and headed to the formal dining room. I generally don't stay moody this long, but the gray morning didn't help. After 45 years away, I'm not sure what would have made this return more positive. I promised Don I'd enjoy breakfast and cheer up. Easing into the Morning We started with coffee, then Linda brought out our "fruit soup" and raspberry waffles. We had planned on a quick eat and run, but Jim ended up sitting down to join us. Suddenly we found out we had lots in common with this quiet couple. We shared some Ann Arbor and University of Michigan memories! Guillermo and Carol We expected to be gone by 9, but by the time our fellow guests came to the table, I was no longer in a rush. At last I found my connection! Guillermo and his wife had flown in from California, to attend his 50th Grinnell High School Reunion! For the next hour, we eagerly swapped stories of Cooper School and its eerie basement and curious playground equipment. Both our fathers and been teachers at Grinnell College and we had ridden our bikes on the same quiet streets and had root beer in heavy mugs at the same A&W. It turns out Jim and Linda had lived in Grinnell long enough that they were actually able to chime in and add to the fun. I ended up with my computer at the table, sharing old scanned photos from my Grinnell Days, in the '60's. Time to Go Before we headed off, Carol offered to take our photo, standing on those great striped floors. My grumpy mood had been completely lifted by this quirky breakfast gathering and I regretted that we couldn't linger longer. If we had dashed earlier without eating, I would have had a totally different memory of our stay at Marsh House. The breakfast interaction ended up being the medicine I needed! Even though Don had offered up as much support and enthusiasm as a non-Grinnellian could, I had needed just 1 connection to the Old Grinnell. And I found it just before we left! What's Notable? I will obviously remember the friendly breakfast encounter, that made my stay. But aside from that, I'll always appreciate how beautifully this Victorian home was preserved and renovated. I'm so glad the TV was hidden and the antiques were authentic. It was a treat to see portraits and art, that fit the age of the house. I totally loved the absence of unnecessary knickknacks! What a wonderful stay, after all!
An Old Flour Mill in Iowa When we were planning our 3-week road trip, I found this mill on the internet. A Lucky Find I was actually looking up info on northeast Iowa, when I learned about the old mill in Bellevue. The mill was built in 1843, and was powered by a giant waterwheel. For many years the mill produced flour and eventually closed in 1969. When I learned about the mill, it was getting ready to open as a bed & breakfast and restaurant. I was able to reserve a room before they even opened. A Cold October Day We arrived on Friday afternoon. The cold winds blew us right from the car to the Potter's Mill sign, swinging on an old piece of machinary. At a glance, the red and white wooden structure looked like a large house. If it hadn't been so dang freezing out, I would have stood there and studied the odd doors and windows. This was clearly no house. There were doors where houses have no doors. Lobby? We walked through a hefty door, that you would never see on a house. We found no lobby inside. It's a mill, after all. The lower floor of the mill had been turned into the "Flatted Fifth Blues & BBQ Restaurant". It smelled good. Mill Stuff There was a lot of "mill stuff" decorating the limestone walls of the restaurant. There were sheets and chains and grinding things. The only thing I recognized were some bags of flour. I should actually know a lot more about mills, because my Dad's family owned the Meyer Milling Company in Missouri, years ago. But that was long before I was born. The Inn Area We took a few minutes exploring, until our host Mark arrived. Mark took us up in the elevator, which was a surprising luxury. The doors opened on the third floor to a cozy common area, with a couch, rockers, table with checkers and more curious mill equipment. The Mill Suite There were only 4 guest rooms, so it wasn't difficult to find our room which was named, "The Mill Suite". Ours seemed to be the only room that had a deer head there to greet us! Warm Wood I loved the old floors! Something about the wind whistling outside made the smooth, dark, 171-year old floors seem extra cozy! Our Room The first thing I saw when we entered, was this funny thing handing down from the ceiling. It looked like some giant mousetrap, getting ready to catch me! And I loved it. This is what we were paying for. The experience of sleeping Iowa's oldest mill! I'm so glad they kept this stuff. "No Lace" Mark almost seemed sheepish, as we entered the room. "We don't do lace," he reminded with a laugh. Do we look like people who expected room service? Hopefully not. The curtains were about as sheer as lace, though. The north window was in view of the parking area, so we had to think twice before parading around nude. Coffee and Chairs There was heat in the room, luckily. But, the wintery sound of the wind made it seem chilly. We were excited about making a little coffee with the Keurig. Awesome Lamp We settled with our mugs into the blue chairs, to relax for a while. I had to chuckle as I took in some of the odd decorating details. I pretty much loved the lamp/table between the two cozy seats! Not only was there a mill picture on the lampshade, but there was a hinged lid, that lifted to expose a little barrel shaped container of games. Tiddly Winks! Haven't seen that game in a while! A Curious Bathroom The entrance to the bathroom had a rod and curtains, in place of a door. We chuckled at finding ourselves once again, in a curious hotel with a quirky bathroom set up. Luckily bathroom privacy is not number one issue. We did have a mighty nice tub, but no shower. And there was a step up into the bathroom, so we had to be cautious about that! Windows I love a view and we had a great one, looking down on Potter's Mill Creek. It faced the east, which might have offered a good sunrise, except the bluffs across the creek were pretty high and close. No sun in the morning, anyway. Our north window had a view of the railroad bridge. We enjoyed the rumbling trains (with no whistle) at night. Food It was the perfect evening to stay in. We followed the smell of BBQ to the first floor. We chose to eat and drink at the bar instead of the tables, since everyone seemed chatty and welcoming. Our room stay came with a complimentary appetizer and we picked the fried green tomatoes with crabmeat. Dessert-like delicious! We also shared some shredded pork, served on fries. Both perfect for a cold night! Hanging Out The best part of the evening, was visiting at the bar. We spoke with a local mom, who had been at the homecoming game and raced over to Potter's Mill for warmth. We spoke with Ron and Linda (pictured) and a couple others who gave us great tips for places to see in the next few days. And we chatted with Inn owners, Mark and Rachel who shared about their adventures of opening this place a month earlier. Morning We rose early and tiptoed out to the common area to grab some breakfast nibbles. No other room guests came out to join us. Mark said he and Rachel don't like to push the let's all gather around for breakfast thing. I'm actually fine with that. Mostly I was glad we weren't being served a big sit-down breakfast. My clothes were beginning to get tight from eating on the road. Nearby We did manage to take in a few sights near Potter's Mill Inn, before leaving town. It was well worth a stop at Bellevue State Park, just across the creek from the inn. We found a great view of the town and the Mississippi, but a rather disturbing view of a few boys. I cringed as I watched them racing to get off the railroad bridge, as a train approached blasting its horn! They managed to scramble off just before the train crossed. Then they were back on, as if they do this daily. So in other words, there is excitement in Bellevue and the Mill area. What's Notable? We stayed in a mill! And we got to support the preservation of a piece of history... and support a new business! But in truth I may remember our cozy gathering at the bar as much as anything. We always learn from the people we meet, on our travels. We gained more info in that 2 hours, than any other stop on our trip. We took notes from our new friends and followed through with suggestions.
Good people encounters can be a real bonus! |
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! Archives
December 2023
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