*Northwest Iowa was a big friend to us this year and we discovered a treasure trove of great road trip material with every mile traveled. Our trip was sponsored by Ida County Economic Development. Some of the goods, services, and meals were complimentary. The views expressed in this blog post are of our own. Now, let’s Gallivant!
Give me those NW-Iowa skies. Those NW-Iowa blacktops. Those NW-Iowa trails, breezes, and horizons. It’s an area of the state that’s given us so many amazing memories and 2021 has supplied a bevy of memorable days in their communities and countryside to add to the tons memories we already have. It was Ida County’s turn on the T-Bone Trail and there was a very delicious beginning to our day. Ribeye for lunch in Galva!
Let’s Eat Steak
Two of my favorite words of all-time. Main and Street put together! There’s a lot of them all over the country with Western Iowa getting many of theirs showcased on this beefy promotion. Sizzlin J Bar & Grill is a proud Main Street business and they have a very skilled kitchen that’s producing sensational meals in Galva!
They rolled out the salad bar for lunch so we could see and taste how wonderful it is during the days its featured. And it was awesome! It was like a potluck on ice with all the house made salads and rich dressings to add to our fresh lettuce and veggies. And look at the pickled herring! I’m all in on a salad bar when I see a big bowl of herring chilling with the rest of the options.
That’s a beefy start to Ida County and charbroiled Ribeye for lunch is never a bad idea. The customers and regulars flowed through the dining room with several of them joking and catching up with each other. A lot of good times in just a short time at Sizzlin’ J Bar & Grill and that’s why we keep going back to small towns. Great food and locals making our travels even better. Watch the video below and see what Sizzlin’ J is sizzlin’ in Galva!
Stay Active
Near the town of Battle Creek is Crawford Creek and for some reason I really enjoy saying that out loud. Hey, I love creeks! (Pronounced crick of course) The inaugural T-Bone Trail has been a constant tour of county parks and public lands as much as it’s been about devouring some of the best steaks on planet Earth. And that was by design, but it was still amazingly refreshing to have the beauty of Western Iowa open up to us with every arrival into every park we enjoyed. The walking trail around Crawford Creek Rec Area provided a spiritual presence during our Gallivant of Ida County. These public lands of Iowa can produce this energy on a daily basis for anyone who takes advantage of these areas. You can also find some of the rarest of Iowa’s natural wonders when you’re at Crawford Creek too. Watch the video below and see! This is for all you corn dog lovers….
From Battle Creek to Ida Grove. Staying active in Ida County’s parks with endless clusters of puffy clouds in the Ida County skies. I never grew tired of looking up during the whole time here.
Bonus Beef
Tiefenthaler Quality Meats will always be a place we’ll stop at when we’re in the area. One of the most award winning meat lockers in Iowa and they always have tons of selections to fill up your coolers. Oh, yea. Bring a cooler to Holstein!
Roadside Attractions
Back to Holstein
It was another evening in Western Iowa that would feature perfect weather and more businesses that make Ida County a special place to visit. Here comes more ways to enjoy Holstein and the entire night on Old Highway 20!
Check-In
We have had many great evenings at every Cobblestone Inn & Suites we’ve stayed at, and there’s been plenty of them we’ve experienced. Holstein’s has joined that list and I knew that rest and relaxation mode would be easily commenced after we checked in.
One worry folks have is, “where will we’ll stay” when it come to getaways in small towns. Almost all of them feature campgrounds within city limits and or nearby. However, there’s more small towns that have modern hotel accommodations than a lot of people think. Holstein has a population of about 1,500 and its Cobblestone Inn & Suites is a wonderful addition to anyone’s road trip. Very clean with a more than helpful staff and the rooms are filled with comfort. I knew I was going to have a great and restful night in Holstein when I saw that it would be Cobblestone Inn & Suites hosting us.
Coffee-Up
There was much to see in Ida County and I was thrilled to have so much time in Holstein. I want to absorb Main Streets as much as possible wherever I go. Thanks to CornerHaus 101, I can enjoy one of Ida County’s in such a wonderful and unique way. Click on the video below and never stop searching for these towns.
The harvest is here and that means one of the finest seasons for road tripping is here too. Ida County’s sprawling horizons are there for you. It’s shops, restaurants, and businesses of all types are eager to bring you enjoyment during your visits and ready to help get that holiday shopping list checked off. The locals here know how wonderful it is in NW-Iowa and Ida County citizens do an amazing job of reminding me and others of that. Do you say crick or creek? Let’s discuss this later because my progrums are about to start. Or do you say, programs? Thank you, Ida!
Make your reservation for Cobblestone Inn & Suites-Holstein on their website.
Like Ida County Economic Development on Facebook.
Like Western Iowa Tourism Region on Facebook.
Like the Iowa Beef Council on Facebook and keep up with info, updates, events, and promotions!
See everything we’ve covered on The Iowa Gallivant in the Northwest Region of Iowa!
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