April 29, 2011 · 2:50 pm

Mount Vernon, Ia. – one of 10 cool small towns

I didn’t know until I heard a plug on Iowa Public Radio this morning that the small northeast Iowa town of Mount Vernon was named one of then “cool small towns” by Budget Travel Magazine. Turns out this was back in 2009. But I’d have to agree. It’s the home of Cornell College and the wonderful restaurant the Lincoln Cafe and is smack in the middle of some bucolic farm country and about a half hour south is the booming artsy college town of Iowa City.  One place I don’t know that was mentioned in the Mount Vernon blurb: Fuel, a coffee shop/antique store.

The 2009 cool town list also includes Jacksonville, Oregon, which my husband and I visited in 2010 during a visit to my sister-in-law’s house in nearby Medford, and Tubac, Arizona which we visited many times during visits to see my dad in Tucson. (In Tubac, the mag recommends the interior design story Pancho’s, Tubac Center of the Arts, and Tubac Country Inn. Good to know since I’m sure we’ll be back there.)

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April 28, 2011 · 2:25 pm

Royal Wedding – from afar

Alas, I won’t be as near to this Royal Wedding as I was to the last big one thirty years ago, which I helped cover as a young reporter working in the London Bureau of a Yank newspaper. My British friends emailed today that wedding fever is finally starting to take hold of the capital – and perhaps the country. In addition to a republican (i.e. anti-monarchist) party where guests will dine on red food and NOT watch the wedding on the telly, one friend has been invited to a more traditional garden party at the home of a neighbor who has planted red, white and blue pansies for the occasion. Hope the weather permits (another friend reported its supposed to be rainy.)

I just may get up early tomorrow to tune in – although I’m not sure how early I can handle. I’ve got my new wedding kitsch just in time from my sister, who brought them back from a recent trip to England. A Wills-and-Kate tea towel and Wills-and-Kate mug. Hip Hip Hooray.

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April 26, 2011 · 2:04 am

who would’ah thunk it: spotted George Hamilton at Des Moines restaurant

On a Monday night in Des Moines, hard to imagine seeing anybody out for dinner, let alone perpetually tan actor George Hamilton who was dining at a table near us at Alba in the East Village. The director of the Greater Des Moines Civic Center was his host so that was a tip off – apparently the civic center unveiled its next season today and George will be returning in October (unless he’s staying here til then, as if) in La Cage Aux Folles.)

I”m particularly excited about Billy Elliot which will be in DM in June 2012.

DES MOINES, Iowa — The Civic Center of Greater Des Moines announce its new 2011-2012 season on Monday night.The schedule includes La Cage Aux Folles, which headed to Iowa direct from Broadway — and stars George Hamilton. Wicked returns to Des Moines. Billy Elliot The Musical also is coming to the Civic Center.

2011

  • Oct 11-16:  La Cage Aux Folles (Staring George Hamilton)
  • Nov. 9- Dec. 4:  Wicked

2012

  • Feb. 7-12:  West Side Story
  • Feb 28-March 4:  Bring It On: The Musical
  • April 24-29:  Memphis
  • May 15-16: Rain: A Tribute To The Beatles
  • June 6-17: Billy Elliot The Musical

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April 25, 2011 · 9:07 pm

For our next trip to Panama City….

Nice to see that the restaurant we chose – after much deliberation –  for our one “splurge meal” got a prominent mention in Sunday’s 36 Hours Panama City, Panama story on the NYTimes Travel section. We were very happy with our meal at La Posta — and apparently the NYTimes was too. But this restaurant wasn’t mentioned in the 2005 36 hours piece on Panama City. I can’t remember how I found it – another travel article or guide – or how I narrowed my fairly long list but glad we chose La Posta. The latest Times story doesn’t mention the entrees we really loved – the “best pork chop ever” – my Kansas husband’s assessment which is saying a lot since this guy knows his pork; and pitch perfect seafood risotto, which I loved.

I wish this article had come out before our visit because I was looking for a hotel on our last night – and ended up with a dud.  The NYTimes recommends the Canal House Hotel in Casco Viejo or the new Manrey Hotel (both are $200 and up which is more than we wanted to spend. we probably got the best we could for $100.)

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April 24, 2011 · 8:16 pm

The scoop on shuttle service for the Elroy-Sparta trail in Wisconsin

Word has it that there is shuttle service – so you can ride the 32-mile trail one way by being dropped off at one spotted and then having your car delivered to the other.  One guidebook I read suggested it’s best to ride north from Elroy to Sparta. So maybe that’s what we’ll do in July.

The Ambassadors at the Sparta Chamber of Commerce shuttle people from Sparta to Elroy or any town on the trail and return your car
to the Depot in Sparta.  Call 608-269-4123 to get a specific phone number and make a reservation for the shuttle.
Also Speeds Bike Shop offers shuttle service 608-269-2315.
There’s also shuttle service available at the Kendall Depot, which will drop you off in Sparta and return your vehicle to Kendall (so you’re riding south – and to the absolute end of the trail.). The cost is $22 and a reservation is recommended.

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April 22, 2011 · 11:33 pm

Where to stay in southwest Wisconsin.

I probably shouldn’t be sharing this since it may mean there’s no room at the inn for us. But anyway, my friend Denise highly recommends this lodging when we go biking this summer in southwest Wisconsin.

It’s Justin Trails  http://justintrails.com. They stayed in the Garden Suite on the 1st floor of the main house, which has a separate entrance and porch, which was nice.  She’d rather stay in any of the cabins – they’re really cool! The other 2 suites are upstairs in the main house.  There is great hiking on the property & it’s close to bike trails, but I think you’d have to drive to a trailhead.  

 

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April 21, 2011 · 10:48 pm

High Trestle Trail’s Big Day – in central Iowa

Last year, we jumped the gun and biked on central Iowa’s  new High Trestle Trail several times, even crossing what was then the still-under construction 1/2-mile long and 13 stories tall bridge that is the trail’s crowning glory. But now apparently, the whole trail is ready for business and there’s a grand celebration on Saturday April 30 in the towns along it – including Ankeny, Sheldahl, Slater, Madrid and Woodward. The celebration includes music, food, art and stuff for kids. The 25-mile trail connects to 670 mils of the Central Iowa Trail Network. The bridge itself is a sight to behold!

For more info see hightrestletrail.info

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April 20, 2011 · 5:31 pm

Where to eat in Albuquerque

My dad is passing through Albuquerque and was looking for a good place to eat so I checked in with my sister-in-law, who lives there. Figured I’d share her suggestions which include: the Grove Cafe,  Standard Diner, Farina (for wood oven pizza) and  Artichoke Cafe (a fancier place).

Also for a funky New Mexican food place, there is Duran’s Pharmacy near Old Town – an  old-fashioned pharmacy with a little restaurant that serves pretty decent stuffed sopapillas and green chile stew.

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April 18, 2011 · 7:07 pm

Things to do/see in Shenandoah, Iowa

We don’t get to southeast Iowa that much but here’s more reason to: Some places to visit in Shenandoah.

– Iowa Walk of Fame downtown (123 Iowans merit their own plaque in the sidewalk (akin to the literary walk in Iowa City?)

– Everly Brothers Childhood Home, (who knew they got their start here?)

– Wabash Trace Nature Trail – 60 mile trail through the Loess Hills; a converted railroad right-of-way. Popular starting points are the trailhead in Shenandoah. It’s made of crushed limestone, which isn’t my favorite surface, alas. http://www.wabashtrace.org

– The Sanctuary Restaurant – homemade sandwiches, entrees, desserts in a former church.

– Shenandoah Inn and Suites – family-owned hotel.

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April 17, 2011 · 5:49 pm

A place to stay in Mount Vernon Iowa

The pretty eastern Iowa college town of Mount Vernon (home to Cornell College) is one of our favorites – especially with its great restaurant the low-key but ambitious Lincoln Cafe and its offspring, the Lincoln Wine Bar. Now comes word in the DM Register of a place to stay overnight when we don’t feel like making the two-hour drive back to Des Moines after dinner or from Iowa City (where I daughter will be a student at U of Iowa next fall). It’s the Blythe Cottage Inn and the rates are tres reasonable – $60 to stay in one of the guest bedrooms or $75 for an entire guest cottage. http://www.pollyanns.com/blythecottageinn.html)

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