One of my favorite past-times is searching for places to visit.  I like to find an area and then a place to stay, but sometimes I find a place to stay first and then the area is already decided for me.

A few years ago, I ran across Barn on the Bluff and I’ve kept it in the back of my mind as a place I’d like to visit.  It’s located just outside of Elkader, IA, about 4 hours from the Twin Cities.  It’s a large barn that was renovated a few years ago to be a group B & B.  Your group gets the whole barn and the nice people who own the place bring breakfast each morning at whatever time you choose.

 

I finally had an occasion to visit Bar on the Bluff last weekend.  Our family does an “Olson Family Weekend” once a year and this was my year to plan.  This was our 8th year and each year a different couple plans where we go and what we do.  This year included a game night, ping-pong tournament, capture the flag, photo shoot, line-dancing lessons, the new Pirates of the Caribbean movie, a nature walk, and lots of other fun stuff.  This was my second time to plan and I’m already excited about planning my next go-around in 2016.

Most of the time when I find a place I really want to stay, I’m a bit let down by the place. It usually seems better in pictures and in my mind, than in reality.  Such was not the case with Barn of the Bluff.  It was exactly as I hoped it would be.  The decor was cool, kitschy, eclectic and just right.  The space was large and gave our group of 14 plenty of room to spread out and be together, while still being apart.  Having breakfast brought to you each morning is a lovely treat that I can’t get enough of.  I hate cooking, but I love eating and pj’s, so this arrangement is one I could definitely live with long term.

The only downside to the barn is the somewhat open nature of many of the sleeping arrangements.  We worked it out and all found a place to hang our head, but having more enclosed, private bedrooms would be nice.  For a gaggle of older kids, the sleeping arrangements would be ideal and the adults could hide away in the private bedrooms, but for a group with just young kids and tired adults, it wasn’t the best.

The town of Elkader was a pleasant surprise.  It’s a small town and at first glimpse there wasn’t much offered, but the longer we hung out the more our perceptions changed.  The first run movie theater was very nice, with digital sound and picture.  There is also a bar/restaurant named Schera’s serving Alergian food that has a beer-on-tap list that would impress even the most snobbish beer fan.  Jamie and the brother-in-laws each had a superb time trying the different offerings.  The bakery run by a young, cute couple with two kids was charming, and the coffee house, while not having the best coffee, did offer it cheaply along with pretty good ice cream.  We ordered a double-shot of espresso and three ice creams and our total bill was under $7.00.

We also enjoyed browsing through the impressive selection of second-hand wares the town has for sale.  Several of the town’s stores were part rummage sale, part antique store and all strangely-awesome.  I spent a good hour in one room of one store and I’m sure I could have spent the rest of the day in just that one place.  It’s called the Turkey River Mall and it was amazing.  My general nature and self doesn’t like used things, but this place had many somethings for everyone and I was taken in by the weird-wonderfulness of the place.  I also loved how all of the second hand/antique places in town mixed new merchandise in with the used.  It was a nice change of pace from the usual.

The area around Elkader is beautiful, including the scenery at the Barn itself.  Rolling hills, quiet streams, exposed limestone and lots of green.  Bluff country is my landscape of choice, so I’m a bit biased, but I think anyone would call it picturesque.  The area had a peaceful, easy feeling that sunk into my bones and made me feel good.

The Barn books up well in advance, so if you are interested in visiting, make your plans early.

P.S. - A shout out to my sister Angie for all of the great photos!