
A cozy eatery on the DesMoines River
Our plans to camp flexed to a day trip to SE Iowa. On small roads circumnavigating Iowa City’s Football mania, we wound our way south. Bands of rain rolled through driving the temperatures down to 50 degrees and sometimes 48. It’s been this way almost since autumn began in September. A radical change from the above average temperatures we had then. A colleague noted the other day, “It feels like October – late October.”
We pumped up the economy of Cantril with a stop at the Dutchman’s Store. Such an array of goods. Baked goods, cheeses, meats, bulk items like flours, mixes, nuts, dried fruits, spices and herbs; kitchen utensils, pots and pans, fabrics, outerwear clothing, canning supplies, strike anywhere matches, and bulk candies. Vegetables in season, apples, mums along the railing. Such excitement. Great prices. A good feel.
Then, we took back roads through Bentonsport (Mason House Bed and Breakfast, and the great point museum) and on to Bonaparte’s Retreat. This old mill has successfully served as a restaurant since before we came to Iowa. Each autumn – usually the second weekend of October is their Festival of Van Buren County with all the shops and villages cooperating to host visitors. Very neat event. Good feel.
Then, back home through rolling waves of rain, more easily through IC than we though possible. All the goods go into the freezer for a couple of weeks to kill any moths – I learned the hard way. We will package up items for Dan and Nancy and send them off as a care package.
Last big market was today downtown so we took that in first and enjoyed a breakfast burrito, coffee and roll and strolling around – in the mist. A good day.
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