Getaway...

Today is the last day of our vacation...technically Friday was for me, since I'm off on weekends anyway, but who's keeping score?

Tuesday through Thursday, we went for a little "getaway". We hadn't been on an actual vacation since our mini Chicago honeymoon 3 years ago, so it was long overdue. We stayed at Somewhere Inn Time, a quaint and relaxing bed and breakfast in Ste. Genevieve. (Thanks to Joan & Christian, who gave us the idea!) We were lucky enough to get Arthur's Cottage, which is outside and behind the main B & B building. Funny enough, it's actually part of the garage. The garage where the owners park their cars is the left side, and the right side has been transformed into a "cottage". It was definitely amusing when we realized that's what it was, but it didn't matter. The outside was lovely, and the inside even better!

We left Tuesday morning at about 10 a.m., to run some errands before heading out of town. Plus, on the agenda was to drive PAST Ste. Genevieve, to Sikeston, for lunch at Lambert's. People had raved to me about the quality (and amount for your money!) of the food, and the atmosphere in general, so we had to try it. Waiters come to your table with "pass arounds" - side items that they generously scoop onto paper towels / your plate for no additional charge. Fried okra (which, btw, is DELICIOUS), fried potatoes & onions, macaroni & tomatoes, apple butter, and sorghum were offered to us at our visit. And of course, they didn't get the moniker "Home of the Throwed Rolls" for nothing...they toss them to you from across the restaurant everytime you put your hand up in the air. All the meals (for the most part) include two side items of your choice (ASIDE from what they're offering everytime they come past your table), and the drinks come in HUGE mugs. You get SO MUCH for your money, it's almost ridiculous. Dustin's porksteak was a FULL POUND, and my catfish plate included 8 or 9 pieces of the BEST catfish I have EVER tasted. (Neither of us finished our meal!)

After lunch, we were on the road to backtrack to Ste. Genevieve, bellies full. We checked in at the B & B a little bit after 3 p.m. and unloaded the car. We were lucky enough to get Arthur's Cottage, which is outside and behind the main B & B building. Funny enough, it's actually part of the garage. The garage where the owners park their cars is the left side, and the right side has been transformed into a "cottage". It was definitely amusing when we realized that's what it was, but it didn't matter. The outside was lovely, and the inside even better!

Once we'd settled in, we took a stroll into town to check out the shops. Since nearly all of them close at 4, we didn't get much shopping in, but we headed to the Mississippi Ferry to check it out. NOT what I expected. I figured it was one that you parked your car, paid a small fee, and got a little "tour" up and down part of the river. Oh no. You DRIVE your car ONTO this thing, and it takes you across the river. Freaked me out, so of course I refused to do it. But we did stick around and play on the sand bar for a while, digging our toes in the sand and wading in the nasty river.

We had dinner that evening at the Anvil, then swam in the B & B's pool and relaxed in the hot tub.

Our only FULL day in Ste. Genevieve was Wednesday, and we took advantage of it. Breakfast at 9 a.m. was a HUGE plate of blueberry french toast that was absolutely declicious, then we went out to explore. We hit the antique shops HARD, had sundaes and floats at Sara's Ice Cream Shoppe, went to the Crown Ridge Tiger Sanctuary, and sampled wine at Crown Valley Winery. Unfortunately, it poured the whole time we were at the winery, but the covered deck had a great view, and the sounds of the rain pitter pattering off the roof made it even more relaxing.

All in all, it was a wonderful, and MUCH NEEDED, getaway. It's a shame we can't do this more often (Dustin works weekends, which means no spur of the moment road trips), but a week off of work, spending time with Dustin, is something I will DEFINITELY be accruing and banking vaca time for!!!