Galena...living history. Or something like that.

Confession: I originally put 'some shit like that' in the title. Teheehe. Whoopsie! I don't want to rip on Galena like that. :)

Galena really is gorgeous. Not to sound completely stupid, but I never realized that Illinois could be so hilly an beautiful. The closer we got to Galena, the more and more Frank and I would drive over yet another huge hill and we would both go 'WOW'. It was breathtaking. Or maybe we're just sheltered.

We stayed at the gorgeous Eagle Ridge, which had a hotel and spa,4 golf courses, a marina and tons and tons of gorgeous houses and townhomes. We rented a townhome and seriously consitered purchasing one for that was for sale so we would have a summer house and rent it when we weren't using it. And then we realized that Galena was for old people. Just kidding! Kind of. It's just for older ladies that really like the Kate Gosslin haircut.

Isn't the place nice? This was a two bedroom, two bathroom with a loft. It was clean, nice and cozy......until we realized the locked room. Frank, thinking it was just a child lock, figured out a way to open it. And then we saw that it was an owner's room. With a locked door. And all of their shit. And needless to say, we got a little creeped out. Remember that movie about those two people who go to a hotel and can see themselves on the TV, and then they change the channel and can see another couple getting killed? Or something like that? Well, it's all I could think of. And because I don't watch scary movies (maybe because I can never get them out of my mind...even the previews are enough to give me nightmares) I didn't know the ending, so I was making it up in my head, which was probably worse. I eventually devised my own alarm system, comprised of glasses filled with silverware that would fall and jingle if the door opened or if some one ran into the ghetto alarm. It didn't make me feel safe, but at least it was something.

If you haven't gone to Galena, let me tell you this. Bring comfy shoes.....there are lots and lots and lots of stairs. LOTS.

Thankfully, even though I ddin't know this, I knew we shouldn't bring the stroller. Eddie is very grabby, and it is getting nearly impossible to push him around a store. I figured that Galena would be full of kitchy shops, so I thought ahead and bought one of those hiking backpack child carrier things. I've had my eye on it forever and finally convinced Frankie to get one. Best. Buy. Ever.

I carried Eddie in that thing for hours and he didn't even stir. We gave him his little snack cup with some goldfish and he was happy as a clam being carted around. It was a little uncomfortable at first, but I figured out that if I tightened the chest strap a ton it would sit a little higher on my back and didn't hurt. Unfortunately, well......it wasn't the best look. You know, for my...chest? Can't picture it? Don't worry, I took a picture!!! Dear, dear blog....look at what I do for you!

Smooshed. And painful. I turned to look at myself in a storefront window and was a little appauled. Meh. I got over it pretty quickly. As long as Eddie was happy, we could work with it. We walked a ton, surprisingly enough didn't buy anything (except for wine...hehe) and learned a lot about the history of Galena.

Frank met Abe. He was very excited.

Galena Cellars is fantastic. Blackberry wine = yumola!

Frank also stood at a bar holding a sippy cup. I had a little sample of wine, walked to go get the one I fell in love with and turned around to see this. Yup, we're parents alright.

Tastings of olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Unique and fun.

That same day, after Eddie had refused his nap in the new environment of the townhouse, we took a drive to Iowa (maybe 20 minutes?) and a long drive around Galena in order to get him to nap. We were going to go to the Mississippi River Aquarium, but they were closing in 15 minutes so we decided to get some dinner instead. Unfortunately for us, we went to a restaurant that we thought was a brewery...a restaurant named 'Star' located in the Dubuque Star Brewery building isn't a brewery after all. It is actaually an awesome looking restaurant that servered some nasty, nasty food. Very dissapointing when you expected a nice micro brew and a cheeseburger, but we were the only people that walked in and felt horrible leaving. The staff seemed so excited to see someone! We're such suckers.

Eddie was very excited to go over the Mississippi River. And yes, we turned him forward facing for the long drive, even though I am completely and totally pro-extended rear facing. And yes, we are turning him back around until he is two.

Exciting, no?

My boys. So cute.

Now, are you wondering why we went to Galena in the first place? They were having a Halloween Balloon Glow, something that I've always wanted to see. Don't know what I'm talking about?

Gorgeous, right?

Unfortunately, we didn't get to see this. Ideal conditions are about 9mph winds, and we were blessed with some 35-40mph winds that night. Thankfully, however, they didn't give up. While we didn't get to see the balloons in their glory, we got to see the baskets and the fire, which was really neat in and of itself. Eddie was fairly in awe of the whole thing, and even though we didn't let him collect candy from the baskets (kids were allowed to Trick or Treat from basket to basket) he loved being ooohhh'd and awww'd over.

He did some ooohhh'ing and awww'ing himself.

Enjoy exploring, my dear readers. You never know when you'll find something to be in awe over....