Nov 1-3 Mark and I took a little trip in the middle of the week. It was a much needed getaway for both of us. Post harvest and a chance to get away
from the farm ans homeschool stresses. We drove to Dubuque for a two night stay. We stayed in the Hotel Julien, a historic older hotel that we really enjoyed. On our first night, we found a restaurant within walking distance that was Italian called, Vinny's
Wednesday we woke up and had a big breakfast, went to some ship museums, and drove to a nearby park with a beautiful view of the river. In the afternoon we had a couples spa massage that was so relaxing. In the evening we went to the nearby casino for an incredible steak dinner. There was a lot of excitement in the air as the Cub's were playing in the World Series. Each night they were one game closer to winning it all. And sure enough, the Cub's won the World Series. That made for a lot of excitement. It didnt matter what floor in the hotel you were on, you heard people celebrating everywhere, in rooms, and outside on the street. It had been 108 years since the Cub's won the World Series and it was 8-7 for the finish. I am glad to have stayed up and watched it even though it was near midnight. That was probably the only baseball game I have watched on tv in my life and it was exciting.
On Thursday we headed for home.We stopped and had brunch at
Breitsbach restaurant. There is a lot of history in the little restaurant. Here is an article I found on the website,
From the website:
Iowa's oldest food and drinking establishment was opened in 1852 by federal permit issued from President Millard Fillmore. Jacob Breitbach, Great-Great Grandfather of the present owner worked for the original owner and purchased the tavern in 1862. Since that time, the Breitbach family has been in continuous ownership of the historical establishment which is now in its sixth generation.In eighteen months Breitbach's Country Dining was struck by fire and completely destroyed, not once, but twice. The first fire which destroyed a 150 year old family business happened on December 24th, 2007. The family and this small community and many others throughout the country that had visited this family restaurant were devastated. It didn't take long for this community and others from all over the country to rally around the Breitbach Family. The process of rebuilding this icon, that had been branded Iowa's oldest Bar and Restaurant soon began, and less than six months after the fire a new restaurant was up and running. Bus loads of people came from all over Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois and other parts of the country to see the work and enjoy the same home style cooking they had previously enjoyed.
Ten months to the day of the first fire on October 24th, 2008, Mike Breitbach once again received a call at 3:30am that his building was on fire. His heart sank as he and his family rushed to the restaurant. His business that had been built by love and community was now gone, again. After the second fire, the thought of rebuilding was more difficult. The family and the whole community were in shock. Everyone waited in wonder until just before Christmas 2008 Mike and his family announced that they would once again rebuild Iowa's oldest bar and restaurant.
Not long after the holiday the community once again rallied around the Breitbach family and the rebuilding began.
On August 1, 2009 people from everywhere flooded the small town of Balltown as Breitbach's Country Dining reopened it's doors. There were plenty of handshakes and hugs from owner Mike Breitbach as his wife Cindy served up the same home style cooking their patrons had missed for the last ten months.
| Just a short walk from the restaurant is an amazing view for miles. We just stood for a long time watching the cows and birds and taking in the scenery. There are dairy farms everywhere. Dairys and farms are becoming a thing of the past. It is sad to see how time and technology have driven farmers out of jobs and homes. Some modern advances are not always a positive thing. |
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