When the mercury reaches 30 degrees, we in Iowa call that a “break in the weather”. That means it’s time to get your cabin-fevered hineys outside and find a hill that will test your courage, snow skills, and common sense. Lucky for us, Mount Vernon, Iowa has such a place for us and it’s a short drive away from our home in Hills.
Right next to the First Presbyterian Church, on 1st Street West, is one of Linn County’s best wintry spots to spend the day. This steep hill is right in between Mount Vernon’s historic Main Street district and the beautiful campus of Cornell College. Both are an easy walk to the hill, so parking is a non-issue if you plan on doing a little exploring.
The sun was out, it was 31 degrees with a slight breeze, and the snow was perfectly packed on Mount Vernon’s legendary hill. The area received the much needed snow through the course of the week, but the windchill didn’t allow for any ideal outdoor recreation. On this day the natives felt the opportunity in the air and invaded their slope. Sleds, snowboards, and saucers were in full-force!
After 7,964 trips up and down the street, Dad needed to give the kids a rest. And that’s how the story goes. Ask anybody who was there. We walked back to our car, near the campus of Cornell College, and started the necessary plans to get an agreeable lunch. Mount Vernon has that covered too. Although the spruce-infused snow you ingest on your way down the hill at 90 MPH isn’t bad either.
It didn’t take long for the locals to speak up and let Team Goodvin know where we should eat lunch on a Sunday afternoon in Mount Vernon. It’s football season and that means we dine at Scorz!
https://www.facebook.com/scorz.bar
109 1st Street NW
Mount Vernon, IA.
After Charlie had successfully interrogated Abby, our server at Scorz, on her reasoning for not rooting for his favorite team, the Dallas Cowboys, we were finally ready to eat the food she brought out to us. Abby was a great server, but she wasn’t going to let a ten year old kid sway her into cheering on Tony Romo. We had a great time at Scorz eating their delicious food and observing Charlie taunting the local Packers fans. Abby was impressed at the level of spaghetti that my son put away.
Team Goodvin needed some fun and Mount Vernon supplied it. And a much needed workout. This area yields many reasons to come back all year long and we’ve added a January trip to this historic town. Thank you for keeping up with tradition and having your streets safe for sledders, Mount Vernon. It’s time for more communities to get back to this great winter experience. Dry socks are good times too.
Thanks for reading! -Team Goodvin
One thought on “Sledding the Streets of Mount Vernon!”