Ahh – Fall Break in Alabama! Yep, time for a week-long getaway with the family! Schools in my neck of the woods take an entire week off – yeah! – and that gave us plenty of time for an adventure. I’ve never been to Gulf Shores. It was my daughter’s family’s second visit there and when they made plans to return in October, they made sure I’d be coming along. They’re very generous children.
Time for one last summertime hurrah before winter arrives. As I write this, a cold front is bearing down from Canada bringing well below freezing temperatures and, yes, 2-3 inches of snow. Ugh!
Last year we spent Fall Break at Disney World. A lovely getaway even if it was the hottest mid-October in Orlando’s history. Honestly, Disney anything is not my thing, but well worth it to take my youngest grandson on the Slinky Dog Dash, even after a 2-hour wait in 95-degree heat. He still talks about what a great time he had with his Mimi. Sigh . . .
Anyway, that’s another story. And I’m here to talk about Gulf Shores. A little overcast during our visit, but the temperatures were pleasantly warm. The breeze coming off the gulf, the sound of the waves breaking on the shore, and watching dolphins breach the waves. This kind of vaca is much more my speed.
Gulf Shores boasts “sugar sand beaches” and they are just that – clean, soft and warm.
Arrival in Foley
After a 12-hour drive straight through, we were all in need of a reward. Of course, if you’re going to visit the Gulf, you’re going to eat seafood! The kids went to the Shrimp Basket during their last visit and raved about the food. So, that’s where we stopped for dinner. Fries buried under a couple of pieces of white fish, shrimp, shrimp slaw, and hush puppies. Wow! This is a no-nonsense eatery – raw oysters on the half shell, any variety of steamed, grilled or deep-fried seafood. And the staff and service were just great.
When I was pregnant with my firstborn, Jessica, my father made the mistake of bringing me fried oysters. I craved them my entire pregnancy. He brought me a large box of frozen breaded oysters because fresh ones weren’t easy to find in northwest Indiana. To pay homage to Dad and Jessica, I had to order a side to complete my meal. YUM! In mid-October, Foley hosts the Annual Shrimp Festival. The streets and parking lots were slammed with happy festival-goers. We opted for the Shrimp Basket instead, but you might keep the festival in mind if you’re headed that way.
Here are a couple of views of the beach from our 7th floor condo. Very lovely!
Where We Stayed
The Beach Club Catalina is a 13-story condo building, one of four that makes up the complex. Our room was on the 7th floor and we enjoyed beautiful views of the beach and gulf from a spacious wrap-around balcony and from the living area’s floor to ceiling sliding windows.
The Beach Club is on the Fort Morgan Peninsula halfway between Foley and Fort Morgan along AL-180. My room was on the opposite side of the unit. I had a little balcony and could see Mobile Bay on the horizon. I had my own bedroom and attached bath – perfect for Mimi-time relaxation. I didn’t take pics of the inside of our condo, but if you’re curious, here’s the website.
My middle grandson and his mother were snorkeling and having a blast. These boys loved the beach!
Here’s my testimony. Yes, I was there, Yes, I was on the beach, too. I’m embarrassed to admit I was not ready for the waves. A little stronger than I was prepared for. One of the boys loaned me his styrofoam board floating thing and that helped steady me going further offshore to enjoy the sway of the water without getting knocked over and drowning. Standing up on the shore and walking was a challenge. I think I need to work out more . . .
Visiting Mobile
There’s so much to see in the Gulf Shores/Mobile area so we took a day away from the beach to explore. My son-in-law researched several historic sites and selected three for us to visit.
First was the USS Alabama “The Mighty A – Heroine of the Pacific.” Launched in 1942, the Alabama was the fourth and last of the South Dakota class of battleships. She was decommissioned in 1947.
There are lots of levels to this ship and Brock, Jessica & the boys took it all in. Hard to believe the Alabama was home to 2,500 sailors.
The USS Drum was a submarine that was launched in 1941 and decommissioned in 1946 after 13 war patrols. The Drum and her 72-man crew patrolled the Pacific during WWII. One of the ship’s crew was a dog named Stateside. I’m surprised and happy the crew enjoyed a dog’s company during their missions – it must have been a comfort. I regret I can’t find a picture online of Stateside. It would have been fun to see what he looked like. Joshua, my middle grandson, was the most curious of the three boys. He and his dad loved exploring both the USS Alabama and the Drum.
The museum is filled with period furnishings and antiques that reflect Mobile’s history under five flags: French, English, Spanish, Confederate and American.
The ladies who took us on a tour were just the sweetest, most friendly, and accommodating women. They answered a lot of questions and were proud to show off the special treasures housed at the museum.
Of particular note is the Chaudron Silver Tea Service. Made by French silversmith Jean-Simon Chaudron in the early 1800’s. The ladies said it is probably the most valuable antique in the museum’s collection. It’s made entirely of coin silver that boasts a 1% alloy content as compared to sterling silver we’re familiar with that has a 7-8% alloy content.
The Cathedral-Bascilica of the Immaculate Conception
Our visit to this basilica was a highlight for me. In college, I took an art history class and we studied European cathedrals and the wide variety of artwork they contained. Ever since that time, I’ve been impressed with the quality of sculptures, paintings, and especially stained glass windows housed in those cathedrals. I appreciate the imagination of artisans and the skilled labor that helped to construct such beautiful buildings.
The Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Mobile is the oldest congregation of any faith in Alabama and the Mississippi Valley established in 1702 by the French. The city moved the church to its current location in 1712.
The church is in the process of refurbishing the church’s stained glass windows. The windows were installed between 1890 and 1910 by the Franz Mayer Company in Munich, Germany.
Here are a few pictures of the inside.
I should have paid more attention to getting a full picture of the ceiling above the beautiful pipe organ. In the center is Mary surrounded by the twelve apostles.
The vaulted ceilings are covered in fleur de lis that represents the French heritage of the Catholic church established in Mobile.
Below are a few stained-glass window pictures.
Let’s Eat in Mobile!
Again, seafood was our choice. And it was our Quinten’s birthday! We headed to Wentzell’s Oyster House in downtown Mobile. The flagship restaurant was founded in 1938 by J. Oliver Wentzell on Dauphin Street.
I couldn’t decide what to order, so I went for the J.O. Fried Platter, more affectionately referred to by me as the “Tour of the Gulf Platter!” Yep, it was only five bucks more than what everyone else ordered and came with two sides – greens and cheese grits were my choice. Why not? Yep, premium white fish, oysters, shrimp, stuffed crab, scallops and hush puppies. I took half back to the condo to enjoy later.
We told the waiter about Q’s birthday and, for free, they brought him the biggest piece of chocolate-fudge cake smothered with ice cream, whipped cream, and cherries! We all got a taste of that one.
Wentzell’s downtown location is informal and family-friendly. The staff and our waiter couldn’t have been nicer. It’s said that Oprah Winfrey eats there on occasion and Wentzell’s West Indies Salad is her favorite. Jumbo lump crabmeat marinated in oil & vinegar for 24 hours and served with chopped onion and saltines. We shared a round before our meals arrived. And if you love oysters, Wentzell’s has seven freshly shucked options to choose from.
Back at the Condo
By now it’s Wednesday. We’re all doing our own thing. Brock is taking the boys to a playground to run off some energy. Jessica and I are headed for the outlet mall in Foley – HOORAY!
The rest of the week, we swam at the beach and pools, relaxed in the hot tub, explored local surroundings, drank wine, ate and simply enjoyed being together. I mean, that’s what it’s all about, right?
There’s lots of activity on the beach during the daytime, but there’s lots after dark, too. From our perch, we watched other vacationers with flashlights roaming the edges of the shoreline. This family rarely misses an opportunity for an adventure. And, honestly, they wanted to know what was so intriguing everyone on the beach. Jessica & Brock took the boys armed with flashlights to check out the nightlife, both human and creature oriented. Jessica was very proud to find this little white sand crab.
We had a rainy and windy afternoon later in the week. Brock took us on a great side trip to Orange Beach where we had a fabulous visit to the Coastal Arts Center. I loved these blown glass flowers!
“Nestled on four acres facing beautiful Wolf Bay we offer a waterfront art experience for everyone as well as a stunning destination wedding location. Peruse the gorgeous fine arts gallery featuring Gulf Coast artists, blow your own glass in our Hot Shop, or make your own clay creations in our Clay Studio. Original art for sale.“
Headed Home – One Last Adventure Montgomery, Alabama
We arrived mid-afternoon in Montgomery. I was struck by how quiet it was. I mean, there was no one walking on the streets. Little sign of afternoon shopping or dining. It was a little eerie. But, the downtown section we visited is dotted with lots and lots of churches. I imagine we were one day early. If it was Sunday, I bet we’d be hard-pressed to find a parking space. And clean, it’s so clean and well kept. Alabamans should be proud!
We visited the Rosa Parks Museum at Troy University and we had an opportunity with the boys to reflect on the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960’s.
Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church where Dr. Martin Luther King served as pastor.
Alabama State Capitol Building
On our way home Saturday, we barely missed a tropical storm headed just east of our condo. We did witness, however, the whipped up waves on the gulf and happy at that moment our trip was coming to an end.
What a great vacation! Thanks, children, for letting me tag along!! I had so much fun!!! Love you – Mimi
Have you ever visited Gulf Shores? What are some of your favorite memories?
A Little Trip Through Southeastern Indiana in search of grits
A few weeks ago Richard and I rambled around southeastern Indiana through Batesville, Oldenburg, Metamora, and Rushville.
Oldenburg, also known as the “Village of Spires,” was settled in 1817 and is one of the oldest communities in the state. It’s a charming little town with a strong German immigrant history. All the streets signs are written in English and German. The city-center is beautifully groomed. Residents keep their yards immaculate; a clear demonstration of community pride. There are some truly spectacular churches in this tiny town of fewer than 600 people.
Then we traveled on State Road 229 to another historic landmark, Metamora, settled in 1838. Metamora is home to the Whitewater Canal State Historic Site. The Duck Creek Aqueduct is believed to be the only wooden covered bridge aqueduct still in operation in the United States. Metamora hosts a working grist mill, where is I bought the grits for Mimi’s Shrimp and Cheesy Grits. It is a nice little part of rural Indiana. The drive along SR 229 was awesome. I wanted to share our little adventure with you. A very cool trip.
All of this has little to do with the recipe that follows. Sometimes you just have to know where your food comes from. Anyway, the Metamora miller told us he’d ground the grits earlier that morning. Wow! I was sold. They sell white and yellow cornmeal, and white corn grits, too. I prefer yellow, so that’s what I bought. Below is a short video about the Metamora Grist Mill from the Indiana State Museum in case you’re interested. What impressed me was all the machinery needed to mill dried corn. A complex series of belts that power the millstones, and a waterwheel to supply power. It’s not a speedy process which made me appreciate my little bag of yellow grits all the more.
Let’s talk about food!
I’ve blogged about my new found food love, grits. Growing up in Northern Indiana and around few southern cooks, the sound of them simply did not appeal to me. Once or twice while traveling south of the Mason-Dixon Line, I tried some at breakfast. Ugh – no thanks – pasty white looking with no flavor.
I broadened my pallet a year or so ago when I walked on the wildside and paired a recipe for cheesy grits with a leftover pot roast for dinner one night.
Grits are not polenta. Grits are not cornmeal mush. Grits are in a beloved class of their own. Creamy, buttery, cheesy, sweet or savory; whatever you wish. And grits are gluten-free! But it’s the butter, cream, and cheese that will kill you. Well, you only live once. Right?
Once the grits are done, this recipe goes pretty quick. And I would recommend cooking the grits and keep them warm before cooking the shrimp. I used very simple ingredients to prepare the shrimp. Butter, 2-3 cloves of minced garlic, lemon, and fresh chopped parsley.
I lined a half baking sheet pan with paper toweling. Shelled and deveined one pound of raw shrimp (21-25 count). Rinsed the shrimp in a collander and placed them on a paper towel lined baking sheet. Top with another sheet of paper toweling and gently pat the shrimp dry. You want the shrimp at room temperature and as dry as possible so they saute quickly and become lightly browned in a hot skillet. If the shrimp is not patted dry, it will steam, and that’s not what you want for a perfect shrimpy bite.
Heat a 12″ skillet to medium-high heat. (I use a cast iron skillet.) Spray the shrimp with cooking spray and season with salt and pepper. If you like a little heat, you can sprinkle some crushed red dried pepper over the shrimp. Once in the skillet, cook shrimp 1-2 minutes per side. Just enough heat so they’re pink and beginning to slightly curl. Remove shrimp to a plate and loosley cover with foil. Lower the temperature to medium. I usually take my skillet completely off the heat and let it cool a bit before putting back on the burner, so the olive oil and butter don’t brown because the skillet is too hot.
Put the skillet on burner over medium heat. Add 2 Tablespoons olive oil and 1 Tablespoon butter. Add minced garlic and saute 30 seconds to a minute until you can smell the garlic. Add 1/2 cup dry white wine and juice of one lemon. Allow the sauce to simmer until slightly reduced. Add one more tablsepoon of butter and remove the skillet from the heat.
Ladle the grits into four individual serving bowls. Top with shrimp. Spoon sauce over the shrimp and sprinkle with lightly chopped fresh Italian parsley. Have some freshly grated Parmesan cheese ready, too, in case you like a little extra cheesy flavor. And maybe some hot sauce – tobasco? I know. Do Parm and tobasco go together? Why not??
Oh, my mouth is watering! Shall we cook up a batch?
Full bodied, creamy, cheesy with the just the perfect garlicky, shrimpy bite.
Author: Mimi
Recipe type: Main Dish
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
For the Grits:
¾ cup grits You can substitute instant grits, but the texture will be different. Regular grits have a better tooth, I think. And regular grits don't take that much longer to prepare, based on my experience for this recipe.
1 Tablespoons unsalted butter
1 cup chicken broth
1 cup half-n-half or whole milk
1 cup water
¼ - ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Salt and Pepper to taste
For the Shrimp:
1 pound raw shrimp, 21-25 count, peeled and deveined, rinsed and patted dry
2 Tablespoons olive oil
1 Tablespoon unsalted butter
2-3 cloves garlic, minced
½ cup dry white wine
½-1 lemon, juiced
2 Tablespoons fresh Italian parsley, roughly chopped
Instructions
For the Grits:
In a heavy saucepan, add chicken broth, half-n-half, and water. Bring liquid to a boil over medium-high heat. As the liquid begins to boil, slowly whisk in grits, 1 teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon black pepper. Reduce heat to medium-low. Cook and stir occasionally until grits are thickened. Remove grits from heat and add Parmesan cheese and 1 Tablespoon butter. Stir to incorporate. Put a lid on the pan to keep warm while preparing shrimp.
For the Shrimp:
Peel and devein shrimp. Using a colander, rinse under cool running water. Remove shrimp to a baking sheet lined with paper toweling. Cover with a second sheet of paper toweling. Pat dry.
Set shrimp aside while preparing grits.
In a 3-quart heavy saucepan, bring chicken stock, half-n-half, and water to a gentle boil. Stir in the grits. Or follow cooking directions for the grits if you use instant grits.
Reduce heat to medium-low. Cook stirring occasionally until thickened.
Remove from heat. Add Parmesan cheese and 1 Tablespoon unsalted butter.
Check for seasoning adding salt and/or pepper to taste.
Put a lid on the saucepan and keep grits warm off heat while preparing shrimp.
Spray shrimp with cooking spray. Season with salt & pepper. May sprinkle with dried crushed red pepper for additional heat, if desired.
Heat a 12" cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Put 1 Tablespoon olive oil and 1 Tablespoon butter into the skillet. When the oil is hot, add shrimp in a single layer. Don't overcrowd the shrimp - you may have to cook shrimp in 2 batches.
Cook shrimp 1-2 minutes per side until they're slightly pink and beginning to curl and lightly brown. Remove shrimp to a plate.
In the skillet, add 1 Tablespoon butter. Add minced garlic and saute for approximately one minute until you can smell it.
Add white wine and lemon juice. Simmer the sauce until slightly thickened.
To Serve:
Divide grits between 4 large individual bowls.
Top with cooked shrimp. Spoon garlic/lemon sauce over shrimp. Sprinkle with roughly chopped fresh Italian parsley.
Notes
Serve with extra grated Parmesan cheese and/or a few dollops of Tobasco. Yum!
I’m very fortunate to have a college roommate who owned a cottage on Lake Erie in Lakeside, Ohio.
Two summers ago, my daughter, her family and I decided to rent Cynthia’s cottage for a week and a lovely getaway. We enjoyed it so much that we returned in July this year.
I grew up near Lake Michigan, so the trips to Lakeside are nostalgic for me. I love the drive up to the cottage. As we approach, we can see the big blue lake on the horizon. It feels like home to me. Cindy grew up in Buffalo, NY, on Lake Erie. Both our fathers worked in the steel mills built near our respective lakes’ shores. We were both raised in strong ethnic communities. So, to say the least, we found we had much in common when she and I first met at Butler University in Indianapolis. We’ve been friends for over 40 years!
Lakeside is known as one of many Chautauqua communities scattered throughout the Eastern United States. Founded in 1873, Lakeside became a retreat for families and adults where visitors are invited to participate in cultural and religious enrichment, history, musical appreciation, and health and wellness programs.
The area surrounding Lakeside hosts unique historical sites to visit, too. Believe it or not, Johnson’s Island on Sandusky Bay once was a Confederate prisoner-of-war camp.
There’s boating, fishing, swimming beaches, water sports all on Lake Erie and easily accessible.
Lakeside Chautauqua is a unique experience for each individual. We invite you to experience our Chautauqua community this summer in your own way; reconnect with family, grow spiritually, expand intellectually, unleash your creativity or challenge yourself physically. The opportunities are endless. You will soon realize why Lakeside Chautauqua has remained an annual tradition for generations of families.
The Keeper’s House
I love lighthouses! This one on the Marblehead Peninsula became a state park built on the Columbus Limestone rocky shores of the lake. It’s maintained by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, and operated by the US Coast Guard.
Since 1822, the Marblehead Lighthouse is the oldest lighthouse in continuous operation on the Great Lakes. The Keeper’s House was constructed in 1880, and was the home to 16 keepers including two women.
Of course, there’s a fantastic view of Lake Erie.
And a great view of Cedar Point amusement park in Sandusky.
On the way back to the cottage at Lakeside, we stopped at Brown’s Dairy Dock on State Road 163. Brown’s is seriously a must! Visit their Facebook page!
And while we’re talking about food, a visit to the Jolly Roger Seafood House in Port Clinton is another must for our family.
Lake Perch and walleye are fresh, perfectly deep fried, and the servings are very generous.
Jolly Roger’s also serves incredible jumbo fried shrimp and fish tacos. Their onion rings are out of this world, too.
Really. I can’t get enough. Neither can Jessica. She, Brock and the boys stopped again on their way home to Indiana. Oh my gosh, it’s that good!
Richard and I love traveling in the western United States. There’s just something about the huge landscapes, wide open vistas, and big, very big, blue skies. Literally, you can see for miles and miles.
It’s not our first trip. In fact, we’ve made the drive from Billings to Indianapolis and back several times. The geography is spectacular, unrivaled, breathtakingly beautiful.
This was a special trip. Richard was recovering from bypass surgery and we wanted to take our time to see as much as we were able. Our drive along the way to the Black Hills in South Dakota took us to Devils Tower National Monument in Wyoming.
Driving up to the visitors’ center, there are hundreds of black tailed prairie dogs and burrow holes scattered throughout the large flat field. This prairie dog “town” at Devils Tower is 40 acres large. That’s a lot of gophers!
Devils Tower is one big monolith standing 867 feet rising up from the prairie. It was declared America’s first national monument by Theodore Roosevelt in 1906, ten years after Yellowstone National Park was designated our first national park.
There are deep vertical grooves along all sides. American Indian folklore tells the story of a group of girls who were being pursued by giant bears. When the girls reached a rock, they prayed to the Great Spirit to save them, and the Great Spirit answered by raising the rock high up out of the ground and became too steep for the bears to climb. When the girls reached the sky, they were turned into the constellation Pleiades.
The grooves are storied to be the bears’ clawmarks created in their pursuit. The tower is known to American Indians as the “Bear’s Lodge” or “Home of Bears.”
“Bears Lodge” became “Devils Tower” in 1875 when the Native name was misinterperted as “Bad God’s Tower.”
Looking down the road. Love the red rocks!
I had never visited Devils Tower before. It is pretty spectacular. Even without aliens and flying saucers and Steven Spielberg, I can understand why Roy Neary was mesmerized by it in Close Encounters of the Third Kind.
Navy Pier was designed by architect Charles Sumner Frost and opened to the public in 1916 as “Municipal Pier”. It was the only pier to combine a shipping dock with public entertainment. This 3,000 foot pier sits just north of the mouth of the Chicago River.
What to do with three young boys on Spring Break? Ages 8, 5, and 3, my grandsons are “all boy” boys, the rough and tumble type. Jessica kept them occupied and busy for the better park of a week, but for the main spring break event, she planned a two-day trip to Navy Pier and Shedd’s Aquarium in Chicago. Lucky me, she invited me along. It was a wonderful opportunity, too, to show the boys where their Mimi grew up (Mom & Dad’s home) and went to school (River Forest in New Chicago).
I grew up in Northwest Indiana and loved visiting the Windy City. Many of the must-see Chicago attractions skirt the shores of Lake Michigan along Lake Shore Drive (US41). Traveling north you begin with the Museum of Science and Industry in Jackson Park, McCormick Place and the Arie Crown Theater, Soldier Field, the Field Museum of Natural History, Adler Planetarium, Shedd Aquarium, the Art Institute, and Navy Pier. Many family and school-related adventures revolved around what to see in Chicago. As a sophisticated high school freshman, our French Club dined at Chez Paul, the restaurant location famous in the Blues Brother movie scene. Always good for a laugh . . .
The weather for our trip was magnificent! Pretty cool, in the upper 40’s, but bright and sunny, and not too windy. It was the perfect day for exploring and adventure!
From the front of Navy Pier there are breathtaking views of the loop. Richard and I spent the first few days of our honeymoon there. It’s just nice to be able to walk around on a gorgeous day, have lunch or dinner, and do some shopping. Lakeshore cruises and the Tall Ship Windy launch here.
And breathtaking views of the lake.
Take a look at the gigantic 150 foot ferris wheel!
You should not go to Chicago and miss Chicago deep dish style pizza. Giordano’s has several locations in Chicagoland. Conveniently, they have one just as you enter Navy Pier. Very cheesy cheese pizza, as my grandson Quinten demonstrates. Yes, the little one was hungry and rather impatient, but he got over it as soon as his pizza arrived. Jessica and I got a luncheon pizza and salad, which was delicious.
Chicago is also renowned for their Italian Beef Sandwiches. If you get a chance to try one, please do – you won’t be disappointed.
Since 2006 the Tall Ship Windy has been Chicago’s official tall ship.
At the end of Navy Pier, there is a spectacular botanical greenhouse filled with tropical plants of every kind. Floor and roof windows bring in lots of natural light. And there’s lots of space to move around with little nooks for quiet conversations. Unique water features are interspersed throughout. Photos don’t do the fountains justice. The jets are on timers, and spurts of water shoot out from the water forming an arc. There’s even one you can walk under. Very cool. It’s a totally relaxing experience – a special place.
Chicago Day 2 Shedd’s Aquarium
When Shedd Aquarium opened in 1929, it boasted “the greatest variety of sea life under one roof.” It’s one of a triad of exhibitor sites that includes Field Museum and Adler Planetarium. The Oceanarium at Shedd, was completed in 1991 and is the world’s largest indoor marine-mammal pavilion with beluga whales and dolphins.
There’s a spectacular view of Lake Michigan from the dolphin pavilion. You can see the dolphins and the whales swimming underwater through glass-sided tanks in the levels below the Oceanarium. Have to say, we were disappointed in the dolphin show and we’ve subsequently heard the same from others. So, if your budget is tight and you’re juggling between the 4-D movie experience or the dolphin show, catch the movie.
OK – not a lot of pictures of the inside of the aquarium, or any for that matter. I was there to drink in the city and lakeshore from outside. Here are some from the north side.
There’s a great walking-biking path along the bottom that takes you along the perimeter of Shedd and the Lake Michigan shoreline. You can see Navy Pier and the ferris wheel in the background.
Here’s my favorite – Man with Fish
This 16-foot Man with Fish statue was debuted in 2001, created by German sculptor Stephan Balkenhol. Man with Fish is a fountain, but it wasn’t turned on during our visit – 😥
All in all, my trip with Jessica and the boys was a big hit. Zachy was a little young for the 4-D Seamonster experience, but he wants to go back to see the beluga whales. Joshua just loved being in the big city – Chicago was an exciting place to him – I agree!
We got to stay in a hotel, got to swim, and most importantly, we spent quality time together for a special memory.
If you’re in the area, don’t miss Millineum Park and Buckingham Fountain – other important Chicago landmarks.
Then we traveled on State Road 229 to another historic landmark, Metamora, settled in 1838. Metamora is home to the Whitewater Canal State Historic Site. The Duck Creek Aqueduct is believed to be the only wooden covered bridge aqueduct still in operation in the United States. Metamora hosts a working grist mill, where is I bought the grits for Mimi’s Shrimp and Cheesy Grits. It is a nice little part of rural Indiana. The drive along SR 229 was awesome. I wanted to share our little adventure with you. A very cool trip.
I’ve blogged about my new found food love, grits. Growing up in Northern Indiana and around few southern cooks, the sound of them simply did not appeal to me. Once or twice while traveling south of the Mason-Dixon Line, I tried some at breakfast. Ugh – no thanks – pasty white looking with no flavor.
