The 47th Week Is In The Books

This has been our travel week and we are having a ball. These are just a few highlights of the week.

Friday:  We went to the Van Gogh immersive event and really did enjoy it. Immediately after leaving, we drove to the airport to pick up a rental car.  We came home, changed clothes, ate a quick lunch, tossed our bags in the car and headed out to Indiana. We got into Lafayette at 1a.m. and fell asleep almost immediately.

Saturday: We drove the 2 hours into Chicago, turned the car in and took an Uber to Union Station. What a beautiful remnant of the glory days of train travel. Mid afternoon we boarded and were in a room on the upper level.  We had an attendant who made sure we had everything we needed for the day, then came and transformed our room into bunk beds for the evening. 

Sunday: Obviously we were still riding the rails, and spent part of the day in the observation car. We saw a lot of North Dakota and Montana. Like most things I learn, I tend to learn the hard way.  If you are on the Empire Builder, do not decide to take a shower when the train has a 30 minute stop in Minot (even if it makes perfect sense to you to shower while the train is not moving. I was in the shower already bath gelled when they turned the water off for refilling the tanks. I had choices. I could stand in the coffin size shower for 30 minutes or punt. I punted and had TheHub grab me some water bottles for a cold and fast "shower"

In case you were wondering the meals were fabulous, including white tablecloth service in the evening.  

I was pissy about not driving, but I would definitely do it again.

Monday: We arrived in Portland, walked outside the station and got big hugs from the most beautiful girl in our world. Son1 drove us to our hotel so we could check our luggage ( It was only 10 am and way to early for us to get our room)  then we went to their house. Pip had plans for me.  I had given her a Raddish subscription as part of her birthday gift.  I was there just a few minutes before we started making Apple Harvest Bread ( from the September box) and Ghoulish Goulash (October, obviously).

We spent the rest of the day visiting with them, then eating before going back to the hotel

Tuesday: We stay at a hotel near Son1’s house. It has a large indoor pool and Pip loves to swim so it is a match made in heaven. She came to swim then stayed the day with us. You know who will get their grandchild anything she wants, including pizza, lemonade, and Hershey bars?

Wednesday:  TheHub had a migraine so he holed up in the hotel room with the room darkening drapes drawn. I went to their house to do some cooking for Thanksgivng. When I got back TheHub was feeling a little better but not great and I was tired from standing most of the day. Instead of going to grab something for dinner we decided to use room service. It was a fabulous indulgence.

Thursday: Thanksgiving feast with all of DIL1’s family. It was a great day Christmas complete with kids magic shows and dance performances. 

It has been a great week and I am filled with gratitude for each minute. Two years is too long to go without seeing Pip. Damn you Covid

Have a great week and look for your joys. They are always there even if you have to hunt for them   

May all your weeds be wildflowers,

Anne