About a month ago, RA began planning a get-away for the two of us.
Having celebrated RF's first birthday and our first year as parents, we knew that we needed some time to ourselves. I knew we were going out of town, but that was it --- I didn't know any details. RA planned and executed the entire weekend --- childcare for RF, our accommodations, our meals, and our agenda.
Having celebrated RF's first birthday and our first year as parents, we knew that we needed some time to ourselves. I knew we were going out of town, but that was it --- I didn't know any details. RA planned and executed the entire weekend --- childcare for RF, our accommodations, our meals, and our agenda.
Friday afternoon we set out on our journey driving two hours north arriving at the beautiful Sweet Gum Bottom Bed and Breakfast just outside of Andalusia, AL. It was absolutely perfect. Quaint and quiet --- just what we needed. We spent the entire weekend with absolutely no plans and it was the most perfect get-away we've ever experienced.
Sweet Gum Bottom Bed and Breakfast was amazing. An 1880s home that the owners moved (in three pieces) from a neighboring town and fully restored themselves.
Our guest room - the Kennedy Anne Suite - was gorgeous.
After a nice dinner out Friday evening, we woke up Saturday morning and spent the better part of the morning enjoying a cup of coffee while wondering around the property. Ricky and Laura (the Innkeepers) built a sweet little wedding chapel and have landscaped the property beautifully. Breakfast consisted of baked mangoes, scrambled eggs, bacon and pecan french toast. YUMMY!
After breakfast we wandered in to the downtown area of Andalusia.
Fall town square decorations...
Beautiful Covington County Courthouse...
We even found the flags just for RF...
RA found an old hat in an antique shop. Once we got outside and he put it on he started humming the theme from Indiana Jones...
A sign for RF's room...he is my sunshine.
A store downtown had antique trucks, trains, and airplanes as the décor...
After lunch at a local pizza establishment, we decided to take a drive out of town. At the suggestion of one of RA's colleagues, we found an old, dirt, country back road and followed it for quite a while wandering back in time and enjoying the beautiful weather.
Cotton fields and beautiful blue skies...
Dirt road that we followed all through the back-country of Covington County...
An old, dilapidated home on a back country road...
These moss-covered logs caught our eyes during our drive. A little walk into the woods uncovered the bridge below...
Once back at the B&B Saturday afternoon we enjoyed some time outside in the hammock just listening to the wind blow and enjoying each other's company while reminiscing about the past year and looking forward to our hopes and dreams for our family.
About 4pm RA told me had had a big surprise --- he had booked an in-room massage for me. It was fantastic --- just what I needed to unwind even more.
Sunday morning we woke pretty early (our bodies are still on RF time --- 5:00AM) and enjoyed a cup of coffee while sitting on the front porch of the B&B. The warmth of the sun, the quiet of the country, the smell of the air and the depth of conversation we were able to engage in created the perfect bookend for our weekend away. We enjoyed another yummy breakfast of fruit salad, breakfast casserole and blue corn grits before getting ready to make our trek back to Mobile.
I am so thankful that RA took the time to plan such a wonderful get-away for us. I am a lucky, lucky woman. :-)
