The Merchants National Bank building in Grinnell, Iowa, is one of the 8 "jewel-box" banks designed by Louis Sullivan late in his career. With a terra cotta ornamented portal, rose window, stained glass windows, elaborate glass mosaic around the clock, it is not to be missed if you are in the area.
Two railroads used to go through Grinnell, but railroad service ceased in the 1970s. I had lunch in the former depot, now the Depot Crossing Cafe. Good spinach salad with grilled chicken, strawberries, mandarin oranges, almonds, and dried cranberries.
Today, Friday, every kind of weather was about. Heavy mist when I got up, turning to drizzle, then rain, then stopping just before lunch. After lunch, I continued west, into sunshine, occasional heavy rain lasting 5 or 10 minutes. The radio kept giving severe thunderstorm & tornado warnings for the area I was in yesterday. As I got further west, the NPR stations gave way to country music. Good thing I didn't take any more side trips, as I got the last room at the Council Bluffs, Iowa, Best Western AKA Crossroads of the Bluffs. This is just across the Missouri River from Omaha, Nebraska. Iowa allows river gambling, so I am surrounded by casinos and it's the weekend, which may explain why it's so busy. Also, this area is still a central, jumping off spot for travelers.
I asked Garmin to take me to a French restaurant for dinner. He took me to the French Cafe, in what I later learned was the historic old market area. I thought I was in a Western movie. Original brick streets. The restaurant seems to be one of the best in Omaha, with Washington, DC prices to go along. I had a delicious rack of lamb, with "pomegranate and black pepper glaze, dried cherry demi-glace, served over white cheddar polenta" (think "grits," Michael). As Gabby would say, "Good eats." I sat outside in front, watching a zillion tourists go by.
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2 comments:
As always, Annie Two Factorial, your writing is simply spectacular.
I think your approach to cross country driving is both unique and very rewarding for those of us who have passed through much of this area without ever having seen any of the interesing things you are describing.
Ted, now you know why it takes me so long to get across the country. I was speechless a few weeks ago in Washington when someone suggested I could do it in 3 days.
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