Road Trip to Galena

 Hopped into the car for a road trip with my birthday boy.  He choose Galena for a destination, though he really is all in just for the drive. What a drive it is, hills and valleys, twists and turns.  The scenery bucolic.

 We've been going to Galena, Illinois for about 27 years,  starting when our kids were young and our baby boy Mikey was just three years old.

Things don't change much in Galena.  The town looks the same as when we first visited. The city is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  Abraham Lincoln spoke here in 1856. We'll talk history another time.  I mostly go for the relaxing ride and to shop.

 The stores do change, one moves across the street, down the street...

 My favorites are Ink and Stamp with Sue...great for inspiration and

... the "spice shop" anyway that's what we always called the The Great Galena Peddlery.  Walking in always smelled like VACATION.  Sad to say that the store will close soon as the owners are retiring.  

Then we always return to the home we rented for vacation for many years, just to see how old Kirsten/Potter is.  So many happy, silly and sweet memories  On this particular road all the homes had names, now they are just numbered and 60% are for sale.

Lunch at Happy Joe's is a little melancholy without the gang.  There we decided to make a plan to go up with all the kids like the old days.  This time Penny will walk the road, look at the stars and swim till she turns pruney, just like her Mom did back in the day. Now to get 6 grown people to slow down long enough for some fun!  Grandpa, Penny and I are ALL IN!  I think our day trip was a perfect capper to a birthday weekend extravaganza.

We are in for a 90 degree day today.  Out to garden before it gets too hot.  Thanks for stopping by my friends.  Enjoy this beautiful day.