We’ll be starting out early tomorrow, traveling the Great River Road along the Mississippi from the Twin Cities to Galena, Illinois. The occasion is the 80th birthday of my mother’s twin siblings, my Uncle Bob and my Aunt Mary. You know you’re getting older, as my cousin said last year, when a family reunion sounds like fun. 🙂
The Great River Road is a National Scenic Byway that we’ve traveled before. The Mississippi Bluffs section in southeastern Minnesota provides opportunities to observe bald and golden eagles, ospreys and other majestic birds soaring in the headwinds. We’ve written about the National Eagle Center in our post “On the Wings of Eagles. ” If you look on Pete’s Facebook page, you’ll see this close-up he took of Harriet, one of the teaching eagles, at the Center. His Wildlife Forever group page also uses WF’s eagle logo. We just love our eagles!
We won’t be stopping in Wabasha or Winona, or any of the pretty river towns for long, though, because we are expected at Uncle Bob’s by mid-afternoon. My Uncle Bob is an interesting guy, to say the least. He is career Army, retired, after reaching the rank of Colonel.
Uncle Bob did two tours in Vietnam as a Registered Nurse, including work at the Long Binh Evacuation Hospital. One of the anesthesiologists stationed there during the Tet Offensive remembers: “We all went over to the OR area to wait for the initial influx of wounded. When they finally arrived we were almost overwhelmed. I remember deuce and a halfs arriving full of wounded VC and the MP’s with automatic weapons waving the drivers off and sending them over to the VC compound. They were stacked like cordwood in the trucks. We didn’t have anyone to go over there and administer any anesthesia or surgical care because we were all too busy with GI’s. I remember a lot of shit I wish I didn’t.” Uncle Bob doesn’t discuss Vietnam, but my mother knew where he had been and some of what he had seen.
Today, Uncle Bob and his partner, Hal, live in Galena for most of the year, and winter in Florida. Their 1853 Galena residence is situated on 3-1/2 acres in the middle of town, and the gardens and grounds are open to the public for tours and special occasions. Hal, an artist, purchased the neglected property in 1976, and then spent years in restoration. Now the site features waterfalls, pathways, meadows and statuary.
From their website: The crown jewel of Linmar is a sunken garden, the foundation of the Union Baptist Church, the first African American church in the region. Staying in context with the building’s origin, a baptismal font theme leads visitors to quiet reflection.
Pete hopes to do a lot of photography in the garden this weekend. 🙂
Tomorrow night Uncle Bob is treating everyone (party of 20) to dinner at his favorite restaurant, Pepper Sprout. And on Saturday, he and Hal have an old-fashioned barbeque planned at the house. They’ve decided the menu months ago, and we are not allowed to bring gifts or anything else. This is a rule we plan to break!
Galena is filled with interesting history. It is home to more than half a dozen Civil War generals, including U.S. Grant. Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass both spoke from a balcony of the DeSoto House hotel. General Grant returned triumphant to Galena after the Civil War, and awaited the results from his own election to the 18th Presidency in the home of his friend Elihu Washburne which is also open for viewing.
But the things that excite me most are the Cemetery Walk and Ghost tour. The cemetery walk features residents costumed like famous ghosts as you wander through the murky twilight and evening darkness. I’m hoping to convince one or more of my intrepid cousins to join in. 🙂
We’ll be back after all the fun is over this weekend with lots more to tell!
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Have fun, Betsy and Pete! Keith and I are looking forward to our own Galena adventure this summer sometime!
Sounds like an incredible trip! We love Linmar Gardens and so do our visitors. Enjoy yourself and let us know how the trip goes when you get home! From your friendly hosts for visitor information, the Galena/Jo Daviess County Convention and Visitors Bureau
Great post on Galena. Tell Uncle Bob that he should come by and see us at The Flying Horse restaurant in Galena. We can show him that he doesn’t need to go all the way to Dubuque for great food, atmosphere and service.
Sounds like a great trip and your uncle sounds like a great host. Did I miss it, or how are you getting to your uncle’s place? It sounded as though you are traveling by water, maybe house boat???
(Thank you for your kind words at Right Truth. I’m moving about better today than yesterday, it will just take time. But I’m stubborn and don’t like anyone waiting on me. Your prayers and appreciated. God did take care of me, because this fall could have been much worse. They thought my spleen had been ruptured by one of the ribs, but the CT showed the spleen to be fine. Thank you God)
Debbie Hamilton
Right Truth
I like the idea of breaking the “no gifts” rule.
And love the idea of the cemetery walk. Kelly would really go for that.
And one more thing, how was dinner for 20 with uncle Bob? And where can I gets me an Uncle Bob? 🙂
Jannie Funster´s last blog post..“Blame Tara Who?” Meme
Hi Mary – We are back and we just have to go again for a longer time. There is too much to do! You will love it!
Hi Galena CVB – Thank you! We had a wonderful time, and Hal and Bob sure appreciate all you do, as well.
Hi Mark – I was disappointed we didn’t have time to come in and meet you personally while we were in Galena. Who knew 80 year olds could out-party those of us in our 50’s?! We are planning to come back and will definitely meet you when we do. Thank you.
Hi Debbie – I am so glad to hear you are on the mend. What a terrible fall. No, we traveled by car. The Great River Road follows the Mississippi from the headwaters in Minnesota to the mouth in Louisiana – it is a fabulous way to go. I’m slowly getting Pete to concede that getting off the freeway in favor of two-lane is the way to go. This trip was perfect. Thank you.
Hi Jannie – Yes, the no gift rule was broken! I wrote a poem to honor the twins and delivered it at dinner without getting too verklempt, which was a first. Usually I get verklempt and have to hand the paper to Pete to finish the delivery. They loved it, which was all that mattered. Dinner was fabulous – great cuisine, but greater company. And I’m sorry to report that after they made Uncle Bob, the mold was broken! We are so lucky he and Mary, and their older brother Jack, are all going strong at the moment. More posts to come about it all, thanks! 🙂
Interesting family history, rich local history, and tons of good food — sounds fun!
Lori Hoeck´s last blog post..Self defense and kids — how-to for parents
Hi Debbie – I love reading about your trips. It sounds like you’re having an awesome time. Did you get to do a ghost tour? I’ve often thought about doing one of those but I’ve never managed to persuade anyone to go with me and I’m far too wimpy to do it alone.
LOL Betsy – I’m cracking up – I called you Debbie. I didn’t forget I was talking to you – I was just thinking about how painful Debbie’s fall must have been when I started writing.
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Hi Lori – We are still reeling from the fabulous time – more to come!
Hi Cath – LMAO I would like to have Debbie’s brains, but not her cracked ribs, thank you very much! And yes, it was a fantastic trip – which has sparked a creative project I am hoping to start which involves my two uncles. Thanks!