Hi-ya!
Today, Bartley had the day off work so we jumped in Murray (the Murano) and headed out for a little day trip to Lawrence, Kansas -- just 30 minutes away from us. It's not far away at all, so I'm not sure why we don't get over there more often, but we sure do enjoy it when we do. Just look at how charming their little downtown area is.....shops, restaurants, cute!
(Click on any of the photos to view them larger)
We had to have lunch at Free State. It's our favorite place to eat when we go to Lawrence and what you're about to see is one of the main reasons why.......
Onion Rings. But not just any onion rings. Great big onion rings, battered and served with whole grain mustard on the side. Just get a half order though (that's what this is -- about 6 rings)....we learned our lesson on that one last time! Ha.
They're so good. Get 'em. You won't be sorry!
Massachusetts Street is where all the downtown action is. This is just a short little section of Massachusetts Street. Cute, right? The thing I LOVE about downtown Lawrence is how they've kept all of these old, old buildings and updated them to house lots of modern shops and restaurants. These buildings are such a treasure.
So pretty! This is the Douglas County Courthouse (since 1905!).
Now, as many times as we've gone to Lawrence for little outings, we've always walked right by this, the Eldridge Hotel. However, I've always wondered what it's like on the inside because the outside is certainly beautiful and old and lovely. So today, we decided to just go in and check it out. Let me show you what we saw...
This is the view when you walk into the lobby. Do you see the front desk over there on the right?? My antique-lovin' heart spotted that gorgeous wall right off the bat and I just HAD to get a closer look. Come on....
Have you ever seen such a PRETTY wall behind the front desk of a hotel?? I know you can't see it well in this picture but if you look over on the left, where it says "Hotel Eldridge" -- that's an old walk-in safe! Cool.
Just look at all those cubbies and doors and the cool hardware on each door!! Oh my word, I love this wall so much. Could I please have this wall of wooden history and storage and mirrored doors and gorgeousness moved into my house, please? Pretty please?
The guy behind the counter told us that this wall is circa 1920! They sure knew how to do things right in the 20's. :)
When I could finally pry myself away from the front desk, we continued around the lobby to see this pretty sitting area complete with fireplace. Oh, I wanted to go and 'sit a spell', but since we weren't exactly paying guests, we kept moving. Ha. Look at that pretty ceiling though.....and the light fixtures.
Across from the front desk, we got a glimpse into this room that looked like it might be worth investigating. We weren't disappointed. Just look at what we found!
A gorgeous ballroom! Oh my word, it sort of reminded me of the ballroom in The Sound of Music! ....and you KNOW how much I love The Sound of Music! What an elegant room. I'd love to host a grand ball in this room, with pretty ladies in fancy dresses.....and music....and ballroom dancing. Can't you just see it? Happy sigh.
Just look at that chandelier.
Next, we went downstairs and found a fun room with this pretty bar area. I think it might be used as a party room or something now. Doesn't it remind you of an old time-y saloon?
Looking back up the stairs on our way out. Seriously.....beautiful details everywhere you look.
Even the beveled, etched glass on the front doors is beautiful.
So now, as you can imagine, the Eldridge Hotel has made it's way onto the list of places I'd like to stay one day -- just for fun. Just for a night. Just because. :)
After we left the Eldridge, we walked around for a bit more. When we were in GAP, we were laughing about how all the male mannequins are standing with one shoulder higher than the other, sort of in a tough-guy swagger type pose.
They looked sort of like this. Hahaha! Bart struck a GAP-mannequin-pose for me. LOL. He makes me laugh. I love that about him.
More pretty store fronts. I just love this street.
I'd also like to go up and sit on that little terrace and then go up another floor and have a peek at the teensy balcony. :)
One more shot at the Eldridge as we headed back to Murray (the Murano).
All in all, it was a great, relaxing day. We came home this evening and had Taco Night, here at the McVey Ranch and now we're just hangin' out. I love these days when we get to soak up just BEing together. Just spending time together, doing nothing major except enjoying each other.
Bartley's off again tomorrow too. Hmmm.....wonder what tomorrow will bring??? I'll keep you posted! *wink* You can also follow me on Twitter, to see what we're up to.
Sleep tight,
