The historic Lincoln Hotel B&B in Lowden, Iowa has served up comfort to guests for 92 years.  Opened in 1915, the hotel originally hosted travellers on the Lincoln Highway, the first coast to coast byway in the US.  It remained open as a hotel under various owners until 1981 when the then owner was compelled to close it.  In 1993 the building was purchased for restoration purposes and incorporated under the name Lincolnway Hotel.  The construction was complete in 1996 when the hotel won the “Best Restoration Award”  and was listed on the National Registry of Historic Places.  The hotel served as a housing unit for five years and in 2001 Brad and Elizabeth Norton purchased the building from the corporation and began decorating hotel suites.  The interior is now complete with five beautiful suites.  Liz serves up a wonderful gourmet breakfast for those who wish to be pampered.  Since breakfast is an option, those visiting the area who simply need hotel accomodations will find the Lincoln Hotel a very satifying experience as well.  Become a part of history and enjoy the comforts of today when you discover the Lincoln Hotel.

Hey RAGBRAI riders — terrific lodging is waiting for you just a hoot-and-a-holler from Spencer!  The Prairie Cottage can easily sleep 6 and you will have a covered patio for your bikes and evening lounging and/or Bar-B-Q.  It is very private and just off Hwy 71.

See photos of the rooms and full description of this lodging accommodation for RAGBRAI riders and families.  http://totalwebdesigner.com/The_Guest_House/

Call 712-580-3117 to make a reservation now…

The Okoboji Game Farm is a licensed hunting preserve, and the hunting season for pheasant runs from Oct. 28 through Jan. 10, 2007. Shooting hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The daily bag limit is 3 rooster [male] pheasants and the possession limit is 12. The Iowa youth season is Oct. 21 to 22, with a daily bag limit of one rooster and possession limit of two..  Hunting licenses may be purchased at the preserve.  Any one of the following three license-types is necessary for hunting:

Ø      Iowa resident ($26.00)

Ø      Iowa non-resident ($88.00)

Ø      Preserve license (great for non-resident who wants to only hunt preserves) ($14.50)

This Iowa Game Farm has 880 acres of habitat and hunting areas. They have a club room on the property with clean/modern rest rooms, a clay-shooting practice area, and a large meeting area. They also have an experience dog-trainer.  It is one of the Iowa Great Lake area’s most popular private hunting preserves.   

If you wish to stay very close to this hunting mecca, contact Connie’s Bed & Breakfast in Fostoria. (Only ten minutes away.) Rooms can be rented with or without breakfast, and if you wish more privacy, there is a guest house where you and your small group will have the entire house to yourselves.  

Visit the game farm’s Web site here: http://www.okobojigamefarm.com/ and learn more about what they have to offer.

Okoboji, Iowa, is a hunters paradise in the fall. Okoboji is the catchall term for the Iowa Great Lakes recreation area that comprises five interconnected glacial lakes spanning more than 3,600 acres.

West Lake Okoboji is the most popular lake. It is 134-foot-deep and surrounded with little villages, resorts, cabins, cottages, restaurants, and gift shops. This classic resort area offers recreation galore.  And the local pheasant hunting is good.

Iowa is said to be one of the most popular states for pheasant hunting. 

If you are a deer hunter, you’ll be pleased to know there is very little hunting pressure on the Iowa Great Lakes deer during the archery season. It runs from Oct 1 - early December and reopens mid-December - mid January. The early part of the season runs through the pre-rut thru rut periods. 

Need lodging within 4 minutes of where you’re staying?  Give Connie Baschke a call at 712-240-6792.  Her B&B is near Heartland Kennels.  Heartland Kennels is just 3 ½ miles away. This is one of the best kennels in the area and it is owned by a top dog trainer. 

The DNR reports NW Iowa as having some of the higher number of pheasants this year.  A recent survey found higher pheasant numbers in northwest, north-central and central Iowa. The Iowa pheasant season is Oct. 28 through Jan. 10, 2007. Shooting hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The daily bag limit is 3 rooster [male] pheasants and the possession limit is 12. The Iowa youth season is Oct. 21 to 22, with a daily bag limit of one rooster and possession limit of two.  Read more here… 

Fall is such a great time……but especially here in Iowa where the four seasons are beginning to turn into a fabulour fall show of colors ~ do you make the most of  your fall get away time? Here are a few simple pointers to help you relax more and simply enjoy some well needed time off during October:

Go somewhere new. It’s always best to get away from your usual surroundings when you are truly looking for some rest and relaxation. If you are at home, there will always be a million things that you should be doing. You deserve a break and what better time than now where the trees are turning glorious shades of gold, red and orange!

Turn off your cell phone. It is possible to live without your cell phone for one week-end ~ you’ll still live and the world will not stop turning. The office will continue on without you ~ things will not shut down. They created voice mail and the ability to forward calls to other employees for just this very reason. Give it a try. Just use that cell phone to call and make dinner reservations for two.

Unplug the laptop or leave it at home. Try using the out of office function that lets others know why you are not responding. It is difficult to stay away from your emails for a week-end but it will certainly help in clearing your mind and helping you to relax.

Read something fun ~ toss aside the self help books ~ the do it yourself manuals and the business journals. Pick up a fun paperback and loose yourself in a good story. Your brain needs rest too, just as much as your body. Do yourself a favor and give it a break, remind yourself that reading can also be very pleasurable. Read a western novel. Read a tree or foliage guide that will help you identify the glorious Iowa trees now changing from lush greens to all kinds of brillant colors.

Discover the art of enjoying some “me-time”, it will do you a world of good. A relaxing week-end get away will do you the world of good ~ it will refresh and recharge you. When you return to the daily grind of your everyday life you will be better equip and ready for what challenges that may lie ahead.

The Iowa Great Lakes area is the perfect week-end getaway. Go sailing, take a drive in the country, enjoy the fall foliage show!  Want to take the family, but need it to be affordable?  Contact Connie’s Bed & Breakfast and inquire about her private guest house: The Prairie Cottage.  Two bedrooms, one with a bunk bed, a futon couch that makes into a bed, an enclosed patio and lots of privacy. Special Winter Rates start September 22, 2006.

In the book stores now — the Fall 2006 issue of Bed & Breakfast America magazine.

Connie’s Bed & Breakfast and Boarding House of Fostoria, Iowa, is featured in the issue along with The Bohemian in New Ulm, MN, and the Loghouse and Homestead on Spirit Lake in Vergas, MN.

The outstand articles by Amelia Painter are accompanied by photos taken by Doug Painter, Amelia’s husband. The learn more about Amelia’s writing visit her site at: www.ameliawrites.com