Our 49th Wedding Anniversary-- Part 7: Galena's Log Cabin Restaurant

THURSDAY, AUGUST 25

We then drove to downtown Galena and amazingly, found a parking space, one that I could pull into and not have to back into (again, my depth perception has faded).  It was right in front of where we were going to eat our anniversary dinner, The Log Cabin Steakhouse (with that great old sign hanging over the sidewalk).  This is where we ate our first meal together on our honeymoon.

As we walked up to the door, they opened it as they open at 4 p.m. and that was the time.  We were the first customers of the day.  I had thought of having one of their notable steak dinners, but they started at $38, a bit more than I wanted to pay.  Instead, I got my usual catfish dinner for $19.95, only this time I had it made up Greek style.  Liz ordered the cod dinner.

The place looks exactly as it did 49 years ago.   Another reason we like it so well.

As usual, we got a hot loaf of bread and a relish tray with some of the best cheese spread anywhere.  I also got a baked potato with the order.

We had plenty left over.  Thankfully, our room at Grant Hills Motel has a minifrig.

--RoadAnniversary

Last Week: Touring Galena on Our Honeymoon 48 Years Ago and the Bottle of Blue Nun

THURSDAY, AUGUST 26

48 years ago, Liz and I were in Galena, Illinois, on out honeymoon, shortened because I had to be at school on the 29th.  We went on a walk through Galena and this was before it became the tourist spot it is today.  We had dinner at the Log Cabin steakhouse, which we still go to today.

My lawn tractor congratulated us by breaking down.

We were going to go to Sunnyside, but it was too crowded, so ended up at nearby Stucky's where we enjoyed the open mic jam.  Later we went to Sunnyside.

Came home and opened the bottle of Blue Nun which Craig had given to us when he found out that you can't buy this Riesling wine anymore.  He remembered he had a bottle from 1995 in his wine stash and gave it to us.  What a guy.

This is our traditional anniversary drink/toast.  Liz's dad, Amby, gave us a small bottle as we got ready to leave the reception all those 48 years ago.

It was good.

Thanks, Craig!!  --RoadDog

Dose Eagles-- Part 1

We just got back from our annual trip out to the Mississippi River to see the bald eagles.  Winter time is a great time to see these magnificent birds.  We didn't get to go last year because of that horrible winter, but managed to slip four days in this year.

We had planned on leaving on Tuesday, but the leak in the basement, which we had fixed on friday, came back, so postponed leaving for a day.

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 21ST:  Left home at 1 p.m. and drove state highways 120, 47, 176, 23 and U.S.-20 to Galena.  Stopped at the great Freeport-Stephenson County welcome center as usual.  Arrived in Galena and had a coupla-two at the VFW and ate at The Log Cabin on Main Street.  This is always a favorite of ours as this is where we ate the day after our wedding back in 1973.

The place hasn't changed a bit, except for the prices, which are considerably higher.  They feature meat from Chicago's Allen Brothers.  I had the Greecian chicken and Liz the cod dinner.  Talked with another couple who were 1971, NIU graduates and had retired to Galena.  Liz and I graduated from there in 1973.

Drove into Dubuque, Iowa, and got a room at the Super 8 and then went over to the nearby Champ's Sports Bar and watched the Blackhawks win their game on a huge screen.

--RoadDog


WITTY OBSERVATIONS:  A clear conscious is a sign of a fuzzy memory.

What to Do, What to Do? Galena or Stay Home?

I had been leaning toward hitting the road this weekend starting Thursday when we'd go to Clinton, Iowa, to see the Midwest League Clinton Lumber Kings play. Then Friday drive to Galena, Ill and stay at the old mom and pop Grant Hills Motel and eat at the Log Cabin downtown, where we had our first meal back in 1973 on our honeymoon and enjoy the great town.

Saturday, I wanted to hook up with the Street Rod group in Galena and follow them on a drive through the surrounding area. Sunday it was to be on to Oregon, Illinois, for their first-ever Oregon Trail Days festival.

BUT!!

Now, I see that we are having two of my favorite festivals around here this weekend. Antioch has their Taste of Antioch with great food and entertainment starting Thursday.

Then, McHenry has the best part of their Fiesta Days with the Art in the Park (we call it Drunk In the Park) and street parties with bands and fairly cheap beer.

Should we go or stay?

Decisions, Decisions. I'll Let You Know. --RoadDog


REMEMBER WHEN you got trading stamps and glassware as well when you got your gas.

Road Trip- 34th Anniversary- Part 2 Floods, Elizabeth, Dubuque, East Dubuque

We left this past Wednesday and encountered water over the road on Queen Anne Road as we were trying to bypass Woodstock. A short time later, there was another fording situation on Illinois Highway 176 east of Marengo.

We got on US-20 at Marengo and took it the rest of the way to Dubuque, Iowa. US-20 is one of my favorite highways, along with US-12, US-66, the National Road, and US-50. We stopped at a new visitors center east of Freeport. This is a very good one with lots of info and a good place to stretch.

US-20 is one of the most beautiful drives in the US between Stockton and Dubuque. If you think of Illinois as being flat, this will surely change your mind. The road follows the ridge line with great vistas off to the sides.

Elizabeth is a quaint little town. Then there's Galena, the town that history forgot. We went on past it as we'll be there tomorrow. The rains that have assaulted the Midwest caught up with us here and the twenty mile drive to Dubuque was done in a nearly blinding torrential downpour, just what we really needed.

In Dubuque, we went to the west end and played NTN at BW3 and then went to Paul's Tavern with all those stuffed animal heads.

We went to East Dubuque and checked into the Swiss Inn, a mom and pop place with rooms at around $50. They have food, but the oven was broken, so we drove to downtown East Dubuque and had one of the best roast beef sandwiches I've ever had at George and Dale's.

Day Two- Thursday- We took a ride out to the Lock and Dam in Dubuque. We go here every winter to see the bald eagles. None around here today, but the Mississippi was high and full of algae. Drove up to Eagle Point Park which has magnificent views of the Mississippi.

Spent $10 apiece to go into the National Mississippi Museum and Aquarium at Ice Harbor, and it was worth every bit of it. We particularly enjoyed watching the river otters and turtles. If there is any animal on earth that has more fun than an otter, I'd sure like to know.

Drove to the Ramada Inn west of Galena and checked in. This is on the site of the old Palace Motel, where we went on our honeymoon. We then went downtown in Galena and checked out some stores and had cocktails at the American Legion before dinner at the Log Cabin, dating from 1935. We ate here on the Sunday after we were married, and it has been a tradition ever since.

Stopped at the Keg and Cask and bought a bottle of Blue Nun wine. Liz's dad, Ambrose, gave us a small bottle to drink once we got out to Galena, and that has been a tradition all these 34 years. We had it out on the Ramada's deck and watched a toad going after the many crickets. OK, so we were hard up for entertainment.

To Be Continued. --RoadDog