Incredible Weekend

This past weekend, Bill & I celebrated our 22nd wedding anniversary. We've actually been together 24 (dated 2 years prior to getting married) and have enjoyed every year together. Our biggest test to our marriage, 1st kids, then job loss last year. Thankfully, I can say, we've overcome those and put our trust in the Lord and have moved forward. Being married to your best friend is certainly a plus when trials enter in!!
As a surprise, I booked a room at Anchor Pier Lodge in Newport. Sean and Tracey had originally found this place for us last year, and we decided to go back. We love the room, the bay, and the sea lions. The only drawback is the street parking. The hospitality and the cleanliness are incredible!

I blew the surprise the night before we left, simply, because it's hard to lie--and even though it's for a surprise gift, lying is not something that meshes well, and therefore, I screwed up, hours before the planned surprise! It all worked well though, as Bill suggested I leave with him early in the morning, and head to school with him, bum around while he had class,and then us leave from school, and head over from Salem, cruising down the coast...stopping at one of our favorite places for lunch. So, it was, I went to school, dropped him off, and headed off to have the suburban detailed. It was well worth the $27.00---it was washed, cleaned inside & out, rims done, the whole nine yards...while I sat in the sun and enjoyed my coffee!!

Charlie came to hang with Ryan, and Kristin spent the weekend with Grandma Alice. Both kids had a blast--Charlie & Ryan went to see Robin Hood, and Kristin just loves her "girl time" with Grandma. It so happened that Kristin & Grandma had their plans set before we had ours!! Convenient!!

I picked up Bill at noon, and we headed to the coast...stopping for lunch, and hitting the outlets on our way to Newport. We arrived in Newport about 5, checked in, and unloaded the car. Being we were right in old town....the car did not move all weekend!! We walked everywhere....it was awesome.

We had a great nap, and then headed to dinner around 8pm, and decided to try the Rogue Ales Public House on Bay street just down from where we were staying. I was a bit hesitant, as it was full of fisherman when we arrived, but we were not disappointed with the food or the service. Both were incredible. I had some fresh brewed Root Beer that was incredible...even more so with a splash of Hazelnut rum in it (the waiters idea, I would have NEVER put those two together)...but it was wonderful. Rueben (our waiter, not our food!) was great, and made our visit there so enjoyable, that we headed back on Saturday to try some other good foods. By the time we perused the menu, we decided two trips was not enough....what a variety of different foods they have....Blue cheese on a hot dog with grilled onions...YUMMY!! Pork sliders is our next venture!



We spent Saturday being lazy, bumming around Newport Old Towne, and watching the fishing traffic. I had no idea what a busy port this was. The weather was perfect, and we spent some time on the deck, enjoying the sun and the sea lions. While the journal in the room indicated that the noise from them bothered some, it never really bothered us.

Sunday, we headed home, wishing our time could be extended, but enjoyed the time we were blessed with. My best friend, two and a half days to ourselves, what more could a girl ask for??!!