When you are ready to eschew the every-day hum drum of city
life, get away to the country only a couple hours away from Chicago, GO to Tierra Linda.

Spend a couple of nights at Armando's beautiful little slice of Galena. Play in the pond, sit in the sun, read, listen to music,
go out and play in town, play golf, dine around town, shop.
It's all right there at your fingertips.

I am a big dog lover and enjoy the airedales and other guests'
pals. By ALL meand, bring your dog too. It's their vacation
right along side you.

Paul Shandling, Chicago, IL.

I found Tierra Linda's website by accident about a month ago, and it was the best mistake I've made in a long time!

My 2 large dogs and I stayed at Tierra Linda July 9 - 12, 2008, and it was a wonderful experience for all of us!

Being a single traveler with dogs, I needed a place that was able to accommodate 2 dogs and at the same time, provide a relaxing environment that allowed the freedom of being able to move about. What dog owner really wants to be banished to their room with 2 dogs when in between activities so the other guests won't be "disturbed?"

Tierra Linda was so much more than this! Armando (the owner) and 2 of his puppies greeted us upon arrival and helped put me at ease. My 2 dogs were very active after the long car ride, and didn't make the best first impression. Armando was very helpful and patient, and tended to all of our needs. The dogs were given some of his famous chicken soup, and we took a tour of the beautiful Tierra Linda.

The next 3 days consisted of wonderful breakfasts, great conversations, amazing encounters with nature, and full use of a beautiful, natural setting with a beach, pond and many trails and buildings for dogs and their owners to explore and enjoy.

I have taken away from this trip many beautiful memories of my dogs having the time of their lives. Armando truly opened his house and his heart to us as guests! The dogs were so spoiled by his 4-star treatment, his cooking (soup and BBQ) and the countless hours of exploring Tierra Linda. They passed out each night and didn't have any of those funny running dreams. I have to assume that when they're dreaming of heaven, they are really dreaming of being at Tierra Linda. Instead of dreaming, all they had to do was open their eyes!

The other guests and I were treated to many human treats as well - beverages, bonfires, a doting and friendly host... Armando deserves a big thank you for everything he shared during my stay.

My plans to explore many of the tourist attractions quickly got put aside. It was far more enjoyable to relax in a hammock and watch the birds, stars and fireflies. (After all, these attractions will still be there for our many future trips to Tierra Linda.)

Did I mention that my older dog has a looooong history of running away? I was hesitant to give him free reign of Tierra Linda - but soon realized that he wasn't going to leave a place he so deeply enjoyed. The only time I wasn't able to locate him quickly was when he found his way back to the house for a nap.

My only complaint is that I won't be able to maintain this high standard of living for my dogs. They were not too happy about saying good bye to Armando, Da Puppies and Tierra Linda. And once they learned that we were going home, I caught the older one leaving a bread crumb trail out the window. I'm going to have to make sure my fence is secure...

Things to do in Tierra Linda:
arrive .. go outside and see the firefly show & order pizza from Happy Joes-pan veggie is delicious!
Drink some Tierra Linda juice (beer w lemondae)
Lay in the hammock with your love and look up at the stars while drinking
wake up and eat delicious food with armando
play with the puppies (they sorta look like muppets)
go to Galena for a little, eat some food, eat some popcorn and chocolates
Come back to TL ASAP...
go to the private beach, let your honey float out to the bridge while you fish some catfish and Blue gills, lay out, listen to the frogs and beautiful birds
take a hot bubble bath with candles listening to the birds and frogs outside (if you get the La Luna room)
go back have a bonfire and eat s'mores talking till 2AM about life
pass out under the stars again ( i know, make the sacrifice)
wake up again and be fed scrumptious food by Uncle Armando
Any questions?

I was there recently during the memorial day holiday. I just wanted to get away with my girlfriend away from the busy life of the city.

We chose Tierra Linda because the photos promised a bit of sanctuary. We arrived and immediatley Armando made us feel at home. He helped us with our bags, showed us to our room, which was lovely, and had us relaxing on the front porch with a glass of wine in no time.

We were also greeted by his three dogs all with varying personalities but all extremely happy. Why wouldn't they be, given Armando cooks them Chicken soup and BBQ everyday.

The couple that stayed in the other room brought their dog and that city dog had the time of his life.

We enjoyed going for walks in the morning and coming back to Tierra Linda at night for food and conversation with Armando and his other guests.

We also enjoyed just relaxing on the porch, on the little beach and waking in the woods that surround his home. Breakfast was always big with fruits and eggs and bacon..yum! Bacon was often shared with the dogs by Armando. (I did have a bone to pick with Armando for that...less bacon for me...hee)

The place is far enough to feel secluded and yet close enough, if you want to go into town.