#50 The Marsh House Inn

 
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  was 12 in 1969, so I had no idea.  My memories of Grinnell had always been ridiculously Norman Rockwell, so I wanted a special place.   When I saw the photo of this lovely Victorian B&B, I decided that would be as close as I could get to staying in my old house.  (Not that it was quite so grand!)

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,  my school was gone, my favorite candy store was boarded up... but I found my old church and favorite park and the old downtown still looked pretty sweet. 

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, Iowa.  Even the locals I'd spoken to had been too young or too new to remember the things I'd asked about. 

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 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 was expecting us.  She showed us around the beautiful Victorian home built in 1892, gave us a key and welcomed us to park in back.

The Back Door

I kind of liked having the key to the backdoor.  I felt like a college kids 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 our old home.  I had another memory moment... my family had an old pump organ in the house on Summer Street!  

Going Up

We walked by the elegant fireplace and headed up the stairs, passing 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 lovely antiques.  Linda told us she would be heading home soon, but another couple would be staying the night.  As 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 from another state, originally.  

Our Sweet Room

We didn't have the turret room, but we did have a cozy, corner room with an antique bed that surprisingly 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 hiding 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. 

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, for a while!

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.

Linda and her husband, Jim were in the kitchen.  We greeted and headed to the formal dining room.  I generally don't stay moody this long, but I was doing a little pouting over the gray skies and still feeling disappointed that no one in all of Grinnell, Iowa seemed to care about the fact that I was visiting my hometown after being away for 45 years!  I really can laugh at my self-centeredness, now!

Easing into the Morning

We started with coffee, then Linda brought out the "fruit soup" and raspberry waffles.  We had planned on a quick eat and run, but Jim ended up sitting down to join us and suddenly we began to find out how much we had in common with this quiet couple.  We shared some Ann Arbor and University of Michigan memories among other things...

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.  I finally found my connection!  Guillermo and his wife had flown from California to attend his 50th Grinnell high school reunion.  For the next hour we were eagerly swapping stories of Cooper School and its eerie basement and curious playground equipment.  Both our fathers had 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 Grinnell days.

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 always remember the friendly breakfast encounter, that made my stay.  But aside from that, I will always appreciate how beautifully renovated this Victorian home was.  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  knick knacks!