Romance at Sun Mountain Lodge....

Thomas and I got the opportunity to have 5- yes FIVE- days vacation  at Sun Mountain Lodge near Twisp, WA. This first picture is from our balcony window.... a great start!

It has been a different lifestyle since we moved from Texas. Not having "babysitters" at our call has been difficult.  Leaving the kids with my grandmother and mother can be a chaotic mess if longer than a weekend. So, it was a real treat to have my college girl ( Kate ) put her New Year's plans on the back burner for us. I booked the trip and presented it to Thomas for Christmas. It was a hit!

We headed out on a Friday afternoon. Due to the time change... it was dark, dark when we were driving. Washington has a thing about lights on the highways. Too much pollution.... ok?.... so they keep it dark.
After arriving at the lodge, I knew we were in for a treat. Gorgeous. With a bison meeting us at the front door and a raging fire in the fire place I knew we were in for a treat!! Not to mention, there is NO television in the rooms or internet. It was the FIRST time we have ever had a room like this and I knew we would finally unwind. We had a lovely, delicious dinner and lots of wine on our first night. No one asked to eat from my plate or tried to steal my glass.... it was heaven. Ok, I missed the kids- but it is nice to eat SLOWLY and CHEW my dinner!!

Our first day we went on a snow shoe adventure ( first time ). It was very interesting with finding "fresh tracks" , animal watching and discovering how the trees survive winter. Now I will say- NO ONE looks cute in these "beanie" hats. Seriously, it does nothing for you. Unless you are from Denmark or something with gorgeous hair, eyes and a super fit body-- no one looks cute! The scenery was just breath taking and we enjoyed every step in the 19' weather!

Lake Patterson... in the distance.. is frozen solid!

         

Beanie hats are NOT flattering... 

fresh cougar track!

On New Year's Eve we took a sled ride up to a tent and had a cowboy dinner with a real cowboy singing and crooning! Fun times.

We eventually had a cross country ski lesson. Holy Cow- it is the hardest workout I have ever had! First, I am use to down hill skiing. Where you have these stiff boots that help control your balance and skis with edges. I put these things on and it was like I was having a spasm. Trying NOT to fall I am sure I pulled something. Eventually, we got it and off we went.... admiring the beauty and sweating out the wine from the night before. Great fun!!
After, Thomas taught me chess. This was the FIRST vacation that we didn't have an agenda. We sat, we read, we napped, we laughed, caught up on "parent life", kissed and held hands as we walked around the beautiful grounds. Worth the cost!

Today, the image of marriage and family is so skewed. Most people think marriage is just focusing on the kids and their needs. Or spending holidays with a "girls" trip or "guys" trip because we need to be away from each other since we are never "with" each other because of the daily grind. When Thomas and I got married.... we vowed to always set 1-2 vacations aside a year to BE with each other. To rekindle, relax and revive our marriage. I guess that is why I love him so much. He has always been faithful to that vow! We always have a good time with each other. I am the odd duck among most. I LOVE being with my husband... just having him sit in the same room with me is a great time ( when we are alone). We still laugh like we did when we first got together!! It is tough to take the time, it is tough to get a sitter and there is ALWAYS a reason not to follow through with the plans. I guess my advice- put your marriage first! In the end, the kids will move away ( we hope ) and then you are stuck with someone you might not know anymore because you didn't put that relationship first!!
I love you Thomas B Tucker.... thanks for saving me , marrying me and loving me after all these years!