I grew up in
Galena.
And, as life would have it, I moved away, romanced by the lure of bustling city
life: the world of diverse people, universities, artists, museums, theater, night
life … a world so much different than the horse-drawn carriages and country
stores of
Galena.
But, thinking back, during that time I spent away, it was
this time of year, early October, that I most longed for my
home in Galena. Our little town transforms into a sweet-smelling snow globe of
swirling auburn, burnt orange and cinnamon-colored leaves. I recall sitting in
my city apartment, watching the endless spill of traffic, lights and movement, and
these are the things I would miss about Galena: the crackle of the crunchy
fallen leaves as you walk through Grant Park, past the trickling of the
fountain, across the pedestrian bridge; the panoramic view of downtown with its
red-bricked buildings, tall steeples, sloped hills, train trolleys, and the
river, so still and clean, with a lone loon paddling, a perfect V fanning out
behind him; the toasted smell of caramel corn, candy apples, buttered popcorn,
fresh cinnamon rolls, and baked bread wafting through the town square; the warm
glow of Halloween twinkle lights strung from shop to shop along the quaint Main
Street; smiling, familiar faces waving a greeting and the soft strum of a local
musician on a wooden bench; shop windows full of delicious things like mittens,
scarves, candles,
chocolates, oil paintings
and pottery; the jumble of shoppers and sightseers, carrying bags, laughing,
sipping hot cider, chai tea, or warm mocha latte; the lazy, cozy feeling of
lingering at a café window seat for a late lunch or lovely glass of wine.
Galena in the Fall is a
rare jewel.
Since making my way back to this area, I am enveloped by
these autumn vignettes from right here. And now, working in marketing in a
small, close-knit community, I have been introduced to even more of the
outlying nooks, meandering roads and friendly businesses that make this part of
the
Midwest so sought-after. For example, if
you wind yourself back over the serene Galena River and out of town on
Blackjack Road, you’ll be treated to unparalleled country-esque views featuring
pumpkin farms, an apple orchard, a field of fuzzy Alpacas with long eyelashes,
a group of wooly sheep and little lambs, and a farm of all-white cows, a visual
contrast against the crisp blue sky. Follow the hilly road and veer to the right,
and the curving passage opens up to the castle-like property of Goldmoor Inn
& Dining. Our views across the river bluffs are nothing less than
breathtaking … purple, red and gold-leafed trees, reflected in the deep waters
of the Mississippi River, birds gliding high above the banks, horses grazing
peacefully at a farm, and a steam train, puffing along gently. Autumn is a splendid
time of year to visit our country
Inn that
began in 1981 as a two-room bed and breakfast. Now Goldmoor Inn & Dining
boasts 18 luxury suites, including two authentic log cabins and two quaint,
private cottages. Just this morning, as I passed through the
scrumptious-smelling dining room during breakfast, two guests were
enjoying their gourmet coffee, Pumpkin Medley French Toast and fresh farm
bacon, and they were alternately assessing the view of the river with binoculars.
“See anything good?” I asked them in passing. They said, “Oh, just a family of
deer, three wild turkeys, a lone fisherman, a river boat, a train and two
eagles.” Which made me smile.
Whether you are visiting Galena for a weekend, a day, or you are lucky
enough to be a resident of this part of the country, plan to stop at Goldmoor
Inn & Dining for dinner. Just this month, Innkeeper Patricia has
collaborated with the talents of Chef Taylor, who comes to us from Le Cordon
Bleu in Minneapolis,
to introduce our new Fall Harvest Menu. We are featuring fresh blue mussels,
butternut squash bisque, scarlet snapper, stuffed quail, squash ravioli,
grilled pork with apple butter, catfish o’brien, as well as our infamous blue
cheese encrusted ribeye steak and beef wellington. All our menu items are
prepared fresh with made-from-scratch sauces and sides. We’ve added an award
winning wine to our diverse cellar: the 2008 Basel Cellars Claret from Walla Wally
Valley, which pairs
delectably with our rustic Fall dishes.
And events? We’ve got ‘em! This very weekend we are greatly
anticipating
Galena’s
annual Country Fair Weekend, and beyond that we look forward to many special
events over the 2012 holiday season … our Nouveau Wine Weekend Dinner,
Christmas Carol Dinners, Luminaria Progressive Dinner, and our New Year’s Eve
Dinner Party. Please visit our website at
www.goldmoor.com
for all the event details, and for exclusive packages and specials. See you
soon. And enjoy the little things.
I grew up in 
