Anniversary Weekend Part 2: Starved Rock State Park

Why did we spend our romantic anniversary in a small town in the middle of nowhere? Hiking! In addition to being an awesome hobby, we're trying to be more active and healthy and spend less time on the couch. I see no better way to spend all weekend together, with minimal spending, than hiking for several hours. 

Starved Rock State Park is a local treasure. The sight of a historical, or even mythical, event and the grounds for a sprawling park full of hiking trails. We had almost no knowledge of this location, except for the numerous recommendations. It did not disappoint. Walking around such a beautiful place, while holding hands, helping each up up hills, and physically pushing and supporting each other was a great bonding experience that made us even closer. 

The view on top of Starved Rock

Jump for joy, But really, don't do it

Fuzzy buddy

✌️

Canyons galore

Don't look down

Our lunch spot

Taking a break in a cave

❤️

I know it wasn't a great idea, but we went straight from the park to the wine bar. We were dehydrated but I wanted to do some wine tasting before the shop closed. I love bubbles and port, so I got my fair share of wine at The Illinois Sparkling Company. I got a little too tipsy, but it was worth it.

Port and wine-shaped chocolate

Pink bubbles

Yeah, rootbeer floats for dinner from The Rootbeer Stand

The day was fun, but the weekend is not over. We were absolutely pooped after 8 hours of hiking and 15 miles of ground covered. The next day will not be as ambitious, but not any less breath-taking.

-Akemi-chan

Anniversary Weekend Part 1: Heading to Oglesby, IL

As of September, we've been married for a year. Crazy. I still feel like we're dating. I chose to wear a family heirloom as my wedding band, so every time I look at my ring finger, I can see my past and future beautifully resting next to each other. A daily reminder of everything I have to be grateful for. 

To celebrate our first year of marriage we wanted to travel. Since I don't work for the airline industry anymore, we had to think local. Luckily we're no strangers to driving. 

Oglesby is not the most luxurious or romantic location for a anniversary, but adventure awaits and what it does not have in glitz and glamour, it has is natural beauty, but we'll get to that later. First, we have to get there. 

Good snack

Basic. Frap and PSL

Traditionally the first year of marriage is celebrated with a gift of paper. I thought this was a nice sentiment since we didn't want to spend a lot of dough, but we wanted something sentimental and special, which is why we came to Oglesby. 

Anyway, I got Bryan a book of poetry and he got me the most thoughtful, creative gift I could imagine. He took every card that we got from our wedding and made a book of them. He even took some pictures from our wedding and added them into the mix. What a wonderful way to look back at these moments, instead of putting them ina shoebox to be opened...never. 

Our gifts to each other

For dinner we went to Uptown Grill, a cute little place in the cute little town of Peru. The food was, if I'm being honest, a little confused, but it was fun to try.

Cheese plate

Fish tacos

Sweet sausage ravioli 

At the end of the night we had a night cap with a bottle of wine in some vintage stemware. We luckily acquired these new glasses from Mamoo, Bryan's grandmother, and they were the perfect thing to dress up our otherwise modest hotel.

The night was young, but we had to go to bed. A brand new day was on the horizon and we had to be bright-eyed and bushy-tailed for our trip to a state treasure. Hiking on the next part of our anniversary weekend.

-Akemi-chan

May Randoms

May could not be over fast enough. So much drama with the weather, which means drama at the airport. I am freshly back from my "weekend" in Chicago and I need some rest and relaxation. May is almost over and I cannot wait for Summer. 

Here are some random pictures from May. 

Lusting over my apple slices

Breakfast time

Trying out CU's newest craze, Pandamonium Doughnuts

Apple fritter, double coconut and lemon poppyseed

Visiting Sleepy Creek Vineyards

Wino crossing :-P

Local wildlife at Sleepy Creek

Bottle of wine at the lake

Two weeks of daffodils

Smothers pork chops with Brussel sprout apple salad

Why we feel alive

Flora

That time of year

Attempt at a "healthy" chicken Florentine

Cycling to club music at the gym's poolside event

 Love the smell of lilacs

Lasgana rollups

Getting our peanut sauce on at Basil Thai

Baby bird

Afternoon snack at Mirabelle

Who said you can't tan your legs outside while treating your hair?

Sunshine means backyard reading

Hail at the airport, my car did not appreciate this

First movie theater/ restaurant experience. Confused and scared.

Wedding is less than 4 months away and all I can do is go out and eat stuff. This will end well for me. But maybe some sunshine will help my mood. Couldn't hurt right?

-Akemi-chan