*There’s a lot to love about Audubon County which is why we came back! Our trip was hosted by Audubon County Economic Development & Tourism. Some of the products, meals and services were complimentary. The views expressed are always of our own. Let’s Gallivant!
And here we go! If you’ve been following our tale of Western Iowa Adventures, then you’ve been seeing a lot of updates on the T-Bone Trail! 36 Western Iowa counties make up the Western Iowa Region, and the land of Audubon was ready for another Gallivant during opening week of the trail. There’s no turning back when you get on a long steak bender like this. Steak isn’t the only way to beef up a trip to this area. Lots to see, lots to do, and lots of folks to meet. Fore!!!!!!!!
Get Active
Audubon Golf and Country Club was stop #1 when we showed up and it we had a very brave soul meeting us there. Playing golf with me can turn into a full contact sport because you never know where the ball will go or what it will ricochet off of. Iowa Beef producer, Derek Andersen tolerated me in the early hours of our gallivant and even had some quality swings himself. As for yours truly? Let’s just say I was glad there were matured trees guarding the club house’s windows and siding.
Let’s stay active and keep moving through the T-Bone Trail…literally. You’re getting a lot of T-Bone references in this blog post and that’s a heck of a way to get a promotion like this rolling!
We’re planning on having the most active summer in years, and this actual T-Bone Trail is a fantastic way to spend a day on the T-Bone Trail. Bring your bike and you can link up with the neighbors to the south in Cass County and see miles and miles of beautiful rural Western Iowa.
Roadside Attractions & History
The locals came out to greet us ,and these folks always have Iowa Beef on their minds. These are some of the team members who make up Audubon’s T-Bone organization that organizes their annual Operation T-Bone event every summer. August 6th-7th is the Operation T-Bone Festival and it’s one of the most beef-filled weekends you’ll find in Western Iowa!
I have said several times that Audubon County might be home to the two most historic trees in Iowa. Not only does the area bring in Audubon Society hobbyists, it gives the Arbor fandom some great experiences of their own. We’re suckers for roadside America and we’ll make a stop for it all!
The Tree in the Road is easily one of my all-time most loved roadside attractions. I call it America’s most beautiful roundabout and it shows us quintessential rural Iowa. A stick left behind by a surveyor, in the mid-1800s, and now a huge Cottonwood directly on the Audubon-Cass county line. This is a reminder that sometimes it’s good to be a stick in the mud-at least when it comes to creating a natural wonder in Western Iowa. You know what I want to do now? See my friend Dennis!
The Nathaniel Hamlin Parks & Museum has now made it on The Iowa Gallivant twice for very good reasons. One of the caretakers of this important piece of Audubon County’s history is Dennis Hamlin, and one minute with him will show you how much he loves it here. A direct descendent of the man who settled here in the 1800s and who the facility is named after. The Hamlin family has a very long and ongoing history in the area.
These county treasures are everywhere in Iowa and need more attention than ever. When it comes to these locally operated museums, there will always be something that you’ll find that will amaze you. The grounds at Nathaniel Hamlin’s museums will do just that. Ask about what the paranormal team found here!
Check-In
Hotels are popping up in places all over Iowa that were long overdue and Audubon’s Blue Grass Inn & Suites is one of those properties that has been a godsend. Just a few years old and still has that brand new feel to it, and welcoming brand new guests like us more and more. Blue Grass Inn & Suites shows travelers that small-town Iowa can be a handy destination for parties, family gatherings, business meetings, and getaways that some may automatically look for in the metro areas. But you can do all of that in Audubon! Feed Mill Restaurant is just across the parking lot and has a full bar if you’re wanting a little libation without the drive back to the room. The staff was great while we were here and the room was spotless when we arrived. This was a fantastic stay and supplied us with a little nap before the Audubon County headliner.
Let’s Eat a Steak-The Barn Burner
The Barn Burner was on our trip a few summers ago, and I was elated to see it on our radar for the return trip to Audubon County. Just look at those beautiful cuts in those pictures. Both were cooked to a perfect medium-rare and paired with delicious sides. I even got broccoli with mine! Brayton was exactly what we cherish about the T-Bone Trail. Some of Iowa’s smallest communities have some of Iowa’s tastiest meals. We were joined by several members of Audubon’s own T-Bone organization that met us earlier in the day and it was great having them. The restaurant was bustling with customers and the food was flying out to the tables with a lot of great humor and stories from the customers surrounding our group. One of the specialties of this area is getting you to feel like you’ve been visiting for years. There’s not a better feeling when you’re traveling.
Bonus Beef
Wouldn’t you know it! We managed to locate a little more of Audubon County’s tasty beef! Better get this burger on The Iowa Gallivant because this beefy road trip around Western Iowa will illuminate all these delicious memories.
Another fantastic round of Audubon County in the books! Thank you to everyone that helped plan our visit and kept us moving through the area. The locals did a wonderful job of representing this community and you know we’ll be back for more. Keep up the good T-Bone vibes, Audubon County!
Like Audubon County Economic Development & Tourism on Facebook.
Book your stay at the Blue Grass Inn & Suites website.
Like Western Iowa Tourism Region on Facebook.
Like the Iowa Beef Council on Facebook to keep up with info, updates, events, and promotions!
See everything we’ve covered on The Iowa Gallivant in the West-Central region of Iowa!
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