Several months back, I went to the Bridal Show in Madison with the gorgeous bride to be, Chelsea, and received a special rate for a hotel in Galena, Illinois. Matt and I figured our 6 month would be the perfect time for a little getaway and were excited to check out some wineries and breweries in the area.
Matt picked up from work and we headed to Galena on Thursday. We drove past the historical "Point of Beginning" (where Wisconsin became Wisconsin!) and arrived in Galena about forty five minutes before our dinner reservation. We decided to check into our hotel room before going to the restaurant.
The special rate that we got from the Bridal Show was for Best Western Inn and Suites. The hotel has themed suites like The Rainforest Suite, The Crystal Cave Suite, and Hearts Deluxe Suite. Of course, we chose the Hearts Deluxe with the heart shaped bed and Jacuzzi tub. I mean, hell, it was our anniversary, right?? I couldn't help but laugh to myself while booking it with the picture of Harry and Lloyd in the heart shaped bath tub running through my head..
We pulled into the parking lot thinking "WTF -- I paid this much for this??"
But we decided to give it a chance.... I mean, it was already paid for so we didn't really have a choice.
HEART SHAPED TUB!
HEART SHAPED BED!
^Isn't that shit so funny?? We thought so.
We made reservations at Vinny Vanucchis Italian Restaurant for a romantic anniversary dinner and were sat in a very tiny room with hundreds of people. Oh well, we made the best of it.
The next day we explored Galena.
Flood Gates that Matt and I found pretty awesome
We stopped at a "make your own" candle store and created Halloween scented and Christmas scented candles. It was so fun!!! For those of you who know Matt well, you know that smelling candles is a hidden love of his, so naturally, he was in 7th heaven. We had such a great time that we decided this would be a yearly tradition.
Christmas Candle
Halloween Candle
After the candle store, we went to Galena Brewing Company so Matt could taste some of the brews.
^Matt's beer and my coffee.
This sign defines Matt.
After The Galena brewing company, we went to Galena Vineyards. We stayed for a few hours, got a private tour of the grounds, did some wine tasting, and bought a "few" bottles to keep.
The Lab
The vineyard creator working in her lab. We learned her job is to try wine all day.
WHERE DO I SIGN UP?!?!?!
The bottling machine
The corker
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Our wine.
God's Country
Red Solo cup for wine.
Beautiful view
Love.
The rest of the weekend, we spent on our boat. We visited with Matt's grandma, Matt's parents, his nephew, and my parents on two different days. We are so lucky and so blessed to have the family we do and it was great to spend time with them.
At Anchor Inn
I'm driving!!
Mom and Me
Dad and Matt
At the end of the weekend, we were sad it was all over but were happy to be back home with E & L.
This past weekend, we celebrated our friends' Chelsea and Josh's engagement at their house. It was so great to see all of our friends that we haven't seen since the wedding and we even brought back the good ol' days by playing flippy cup and beer pong!
We can't wait for your wedding, lovebirds!!!
NEXT WEEKEND
I am going out with my favorite Little Gymers, running my first 5k, hosting Carmy and Ashley in Madison, going bridesmaid dress shopping, seeing Carmy in a wedding dress for the first time, and going to Anthony and Amy's wedding!!!
So busy, but
SOO EXCITED!!!
And by the way, Miley Cyrus is absolutely ridiculous. And JT still has it........... #VMAs
