Galena

Sorry for the silence yesterday – I had things to say but no time to say them. Friday Travalon and I went to a fish fry at Paul’s Neighborhood Tavern, which was delicious, and then we went to our old favorite Le Tigre Lounge. Saturday Travalon and I met the Rosary Ladies for coffee, then we drove to Mineral Point and had a wonderful lunch at Brewery Creek Pub after walking along the trail that runs all the way to Monroe. This might be a fun bike ride, readers! Then we drove to Galena, IL which is like Mineral Point on steroids: cute old buildings, fun little shops, and lots of hills. We toured President Grant’s house and then walked down the main drag, poking our heads into some antique shops and stopping at a café for homemade sodas. Then we hiked up a hill to where all the churches were and stopped in the chapel of a very old Episcopal church. We passed the Catholic church built by Father Mazzuchelli just five minutes before Mass, so Travalon suggested we attend it. After that we had a fantastic Southern cuisine dinner at Chef Ivo’s Place, and then we explored the De Soto Hotel and went next door to a shop specializing in root beer from all over the country.

Sunday we had a birthday party at Richard Bonomo’s house for our organist, who will be 80 on Thursday. She is retiring at the end of next month, so if you know anyone who plays the organ and is willing to accompany a choir, give me a holler. We’re getting desperate to find a replacement.

Famous Hat