(See posting further down). Dale and Kevin were already on their bike ride in the county. Lori, Andrew, Makenna, and I followed a few hours later. Check-in for our hotel wasn't until 4:00, so we had time to kill.
It was lunch time and there weren't many eating spots to choose from. This one had a menu taped to the window. After looking it over, we decided to give it a try. But they weren't serving lunch. The next spot, we went in and sat down, but the tables looked a little grungy, so we left. The 3rd place proved to be pretty good. We were all glad we settled on that cafe.
Andrew dropped us women off when he left to go be the guys' support for the ride.
We girls did some sight seeing. Makenna and Lori under a long line of lilacs.
Me, too.
The guys arrived right about check in time. They rode 64 miles.
This is Kevin's happy post-bike-ride smile.
Checking in to the Bonaparte Hotel.
The lobby. This hotel used to be a glove/mitten and pant factory.
The 3rd (top) floor is a reception hall now.
Bringing in the bikes to be stored safely overnight in the basement of the hotel.
(Kevin)
(Dale)
Since the top floor was not being rented out this weekend, the staff gave us permission to go upstairs and see it.
Do you see the imprints from where the employees stood year after year after year?
This was a sewing station. The half print is from the heel, while the foot pressed on the treadle of the machine all day long.
The dining/sitting room of the inn. The long table on the left remained when the building was bought.
H'our dourves served at 4:00 to guests
Relaxing at the table after eating the delicious h'our douvres.
We then drove around town. This is the Hancock House built 1847. I like that the original glass panes were still in the windows. They do have a certain look to them.
After supper at the Fire Station (dinner for the bikers for a donation), we got some ice cream. Can you believe this huge ice cream waffle cone was only $1.40??? And, it was delicious.
6 comments:
I would enjoy living in a place like that renovated hotel- it being my purchased home though rather than a hotel. History is fascinating.
-Trey
Cute 'do, Penni! It really suits you, as my British friends say.
Oh, Trey...me, too!!! When we visited that old brick church, my mind was racing with the possibilities of converting it into my home, yet still maintaining some of the original character...windows, oil lamps on the walls by each window, the balcony converted into a master bedroom, etc. I'm forever letting my imagination run wild whenever I enter an old building, especially old church buildings. Interesting we share that. In fact, there is another church bldg that looks just like the one pictured above, in another small Van Buren Co village that has been converted into a home. When I looked at it online, I was so disappointed with what was done on the inside, as it looks like any other house.
And Kari, I've been chopping on my hair the last 2 wks. Think I'm done now. Thanks for the comment.
I love the shots of the factory floor - the imprints of those who worked so hard for so many years. Living history.
I can't remember, where is VB county? Is it north?
Dee
In extreme SE Iowa. Beautiful countryside. Trees, rolling hills...
Looks like you had a great trip!
Thanks for sharing the pics.
I agree with you and Trey, love the history!
-Britt
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