Day 25: Tourist Day in Galena, IL

5/17/2017

Day 25: Tourists for a day.

We spent our second day in Galena, IL being tourists. This is one of the fun parts of the Connecting US 20 project, getting to see the great towns along the way and having a chance to talk with people in the community.

I got out in the early morning to take some pictures of the town in the morning light. Galena is a beautiful town and I wound up taking WAY more pictures than I originally intended. Sure am glad we don't have to develop film any more; I would have burned thru about 20 "rolls" yesterday. Yay, digital!

Sal worked on art from the Galena Library until a little after noon when we went exploring together. Had lunch in a local restaurant called the Market House (chicken and dumplings were yummy). After wandering around in the heat for a few hours, we headed southwest out of town and found a ski resort with a spectacular view of the Mississippi River at the end of Blackjack Road. Didn't expect to find either a ski resort or the Mississippi; what a pleasant surprise.

We visited 2 preserves of Native American burial mounds on the way back to town. More great views and a quiet reverence that added to the tranquility of the area.

Last stop for the day was at U.S. Grant's home after the Civil War. The town was so grateful for its native son war hero they GAVE him a mansion on a hill overlooking the town.

The pictures give an idea of what this picturesque riverside town holds in store. We really enjoyed our time here.

On to Cherokee, IA today. We are running just ahead of another batch of big storms. We got caught in one on Monday night and don't wish to have THAT experience again.