A little catch up post and the Villages of Van Buren County, Iowana

Things happen faster here than I have time to record.  So these are just some photos that haven't made it into the blog yet. Sorry if there are repeats. I'll start this clean up with the drawings I received from the Bradley grandchildren. 

We've been checking out the nearby parks so when we get young visitors we can show them the sights.

Hamilton park - 20 minutes south of here

Nauvoo City park's digger

Last Saturday was the first sunny Saturday we'd had for awhile, so we went exploring the Villages of Van Buren County, Iowa.  Each little town has one or two shops worth visiting, but the villages are all within 10 miles of each other.  So the travel bureau of the county encourages you to just village hop.  It was very entertaining, full of charming little surprises.  Like the Mennonite owned Dutchman store in Cantril, where you can buy all those things you use to be able to buy, but can't find anymore.  They cater to the Amish communities here.  There are signs around the store saying things like "This store belongs to God.  If you steal, God will see you, and a Dutchman might."  In Bentonsport we visited the Iron and Lace store where the pottery has Queen Anne's lace impressed into the glaze.   Next door is an antique store in the old General Store.  In the middle are cases of ancient American Indian artifacts.  And then there was Bonapart, Iowa.  See photos below.

We ate lunch at Bonapart's Retreat

Unique menu - prices subject to change (they are written in pencil)

Notice the portrait of Bonaparte on the wall.

Geode on window sill.  Des Moines River in background.

Hanging on the wall be the restrooms.

The restaurant brochure says that Mormons built many substantial buildings here before crossing the river to continue their trek west. 

Across the river

Des Moines River

Bentonsport - Iron and Lace

Antique toy in General Store

Bentonsport

Museum piece in the General Store

Cantril, Iowa

This is not Halloween.  It's Elder Barrow biking in sub-freezing weather.

Saturday night I sang in the Messiah.  These were some of the Altos and Sopranos.