Exploring Utica

Last week I took a road trip to Utica to satisfy my July travel itch.

It is just 2 and a half hours from home, an easy drive actually when you skip rush hour.

I had visited the Starved Rock area a few times, and gradually upgraded my stays from a KOA cabin with plastic mattresses and shared shower facilities to a motel, to a B&B. The motel is now defunct.

I stopped for a sampling of ice cream (on the sweet side) and chocolate truffles prior to heading to the Brightwood Inn.

The Brightwood Inn is a lovely Bed and Breakfast offering cozy rooms with luxurious amenities.

The property is adjacent to Matthiessen State Park, and the grounds have been landscaped as a wildlife habitat to encourage birds, insects and other critters to feed and seek shelter there.

Sunsets from this vantage point are spectacular.

Every morning a breakfast buffet of cereal, fruit and scones stills ‘den kleinen Hunger’, with warm breakfast, coffee and tea offered in the dining room.

I enjoyed the herb omelet on an English muffin the first morning, and whole grain blueberry pancakes the next.

Matthiessen, Starved Rock and the I&M Canal Trail are just a short drive from the Inn.

I perused the one-block downtown of Utica which has 3 pubs.

There is also a grocery store geared toward campers and other things one tends to forget but need on a road trip.

On both days opted to have lunch at Noni’s as it felt more cafe-like and had outdoor seating.

The area has a few wineries and several ‘trading posts’ offering leather goods for bikers passing through.

After some hiking I checked into my room, a haven of tranquility.

I splurged on a tub option, and was quite romanced by its heart shape and the stunning view.

There is a lovely bathroom of course.

I read on the cozy lounge, peeked at hummingbirds feeding in the tree, and fully relaxed in this pristine room without any chores for me to do.

My first evening I dined at Uptown Grill in LaSalle, which had tablet menus. The heat and late lunch had dampened my appetite, so I had the Asparagus salad. Their cocktails looked delicious, and I would dine here again to sample the other dishes.

The next morning I indulged a massage at Butterfly Landing, which stretched my muscles and helped me further sink into relaxation mode. Next time I want to try a facial in this lush day spa as well.

The second evening I visited Amici in Peru, a lovely Italian restaurant that is decorated to mimic a piazza, with twinkle lights in the ceiling to enhance the ‘outside’ feeling. I could have easily shared the pasta entree, and took some home.

The country roads offer lovely prairie and farm field views,

with some lovely river crossings as well.

I enjoyed the lush garden and journaled peacefully while listening to a variety of birds.

Chairs and tables allow for lounging al fresco.

They also have a wonderful porch.

It is amazing how being away from home can put your mind at ease enough to simply watch clouds go by.

It is good to just enjoy a day and ‘be’.

Perspective is so necessary in this world of personal and global tragedies.

I look forward to returning to this heavenly place.

Hiking adventures will be shared in upcoming posts.

Where will your summer vacation take you?