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About Us

Our Story

Meet Lisa and John, your guides and hosts of Lincoln Way: A Destination Stay and the picturesque Nomia Meadows Farm. Like you, they live to travel, explore, and experience the places and people of this beautiful planet. 


From their shared love of all things flora and fauna, John and Lisa travel to a special spot somewhere in the world for a month each year in search of endangered plants and creatures. A few of their adventures have included:


  • Riding horseback into the mountains of Mexico to see the overwintering site of the monarch butterfly
  • Two weeks rafting the Firth River in the Northwest Territory in search of caribou herds
  • Hiking into the heart of the Jamaican mountains in search of one of the largest giant swallowtail butterfly
  • Traveling to New Zealand to find and swim with the world's smallest and rarest dolphin, the Hector's dolphin
  • Paddling into the depths of the Amazon to glimpse the elusive pink river dolphin
  • Exploring remote islands of Indonesia for a rare, giant bee


These are a few of the adventures that took them far, far from home. And yet, they would discover there was an adventure to be had not very far from home after all...

A man and a woman are posing for a picture in a field.

Their adventure to this charming region unfolded nearly two decades ago with a visit to friends and the treasured Nature Conservancy's Nachusa Grasslands. Captivated by the beauty and tranquility of the area, Lisa and John yearned for more quality time here, sparking their quest for a perfect getaway all their own. 


Complete with an enchanting apple orchard and apiary, Nomia sprawls across 110 acres of prairie and wetlands. Back in 2010 John and Lisa would arrive in the area on Friday evenings, spend the weekend, then head back to the suburbs of Chicago on Sunday evening. As time went on, leaving Nomia became more and more difficult. The prairie, bees, and orchard were always calling them back. 


After exploring numerous locations over the years, their dream spot was found... and it didn't even have an address. Perfection! Through the magic of serendipity (and a lot of belief from family, friends, and the community), the beautiful historic home and property in Franklin Grove, just three miles from Nomia, was purchased in late 2013. Thus they began dreaming, planning, and rolling up their sleeves (and getting a few bee stings) to create their dream vacation destination.


The work to reimagine the property as Lincoln Way Inn Bed & Breakfast began in April 2014, and doors were opened to the first guests in July 2015. Always having been more boutique hotel than bed and breakfast, guests were immersed in affordable first-class luxury, local sourcing, priceless experiences, and expert culinary arts. New offerings, such as the fireside pagoda, water garden, and yoga lawn, were added over the years to contribute to an ever-expanding vision.


As change is the only constant in life, 2024 brings a new era with the Carriage House Loft, King Suite, and Gardens being the sole focus of the hospitality offering for Lincoln Way. This space is a completely private, all-inclusive accommodation designed to make you feel transported to a world of luxury.


Lisa and John invite you to embark on a journey and stay filled with warmth, hospitality, and a touch of magic at every turn.

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