A Little Getaway

Granddad and Grandma Susan came for a visit, arriving last Thursday evening, which Elsa was quite pleased about. Jarrett and I were also quite excited, as we were able to take off on a short getaway to the Georgia mountains Friday morning through Saturday afternoon. Our original plan for this fall trip was an extended camping excursion to Cumberland Island; however, we apparently waited too long to book our reservations and when I attempted to do so, we were out of luck. My parents were originally going to share the "burden" of watching Elsa for that trip, but since we couldn't make it happen (and because my mom did not really have many vacation days available anyway), we decided to just shorten the trip. So then we tried for reservations at Len Foote Hike Inn at Amicalola Falls. Again, no luck. So by then we were down to searching for bed and breakfasts in North Georgia. You might remember our stay at the Lake Rabun Hotel back in late-February. On that trip we actually ate dinner at another bed and breakfast, the Beechwood Inn, and became so enchanted with the lovely establishment that we decided to make reservations for a night there. Finally, we were in luck.

On Friday morning, after quickly overloading poor Dad and Susan with Elsa details, we took off for breakfast in Downtown Decatur, just the two of us. It was so nice to just sit down, take a deep breath, and enjoy our breakfast in each other's company. From there we headed north to Frogtown Cellars, a winery of whose directional signs we eye every time we head up to the mountains to go camping. Ironically, we decided to pay our visit during a time in which we have decided to nearly abstain from alcohol for many reasons, the main being to try and save some money. But, a night alone called for a reprieve, and we enjoyed a tasting of both their red and white wine, and took a couple of bottles with us for the road. If, like us, you are wary of Georgian wines but haven't actually yet visited a winery in Georgia, I highly recommend this one. The wines were surprisingly good! And they serve a panini lunch, of which we partook. Although since, being gluten free, I can't eat paninis, they were kind enough to turn one of their sandwiches into a nice salad, which was perfect. While there, we ran into a couple from Los Angeles, who we ended up talking to for quite some time. They have now even invited us to vacation with them the next time we are out their way.

We were not really expecting to spend as much time as we did at the winery, so by the time we left it was well late enough to make the remaining hour drive to check in at the inn. The property was as lovely as we had remembered it, but made even more beautiful by the wonderful fall color we were so lucky to encounter. Our room was perfect, complete with a gas fireplace and a small, antique loveseat perfect for cuddling up in front of the flames. I was a little unsure of having no shower and just a clawfoot tub with a shower attachment, but I actually ended up loving my bath/shower and its novelty and charm. Although similar to our tub, this one actually allowed you to bathe in enough water to keep you warm, which was much nicer.

Because the Beechwood Inn only does their wine-paired dinners on Saturday, we were on our own Friday evening, although we did get to enjoy "wine-thirty" in the early evening hours -- their housemade wine (also good!) and snacks. For dinner, a little bistro in Downtown Clayton was recommended by the innkeepers, and though the ambiance was a little, well, odd, the food was fantastic and well worth any oddity. I had a petite filet mignon, and Jarrett had pork tenderloin, and both were delicious. As was the creme brulee. That evening we sat in front of the fire, drank wine, and played music on the iPad. It was nice and relaxing.

We had (a gluten-free) breakfast the next morning at the inn, enjoying conversation with a couple who we met at wine-thirty the previous evening. They were celebrating their 25th anniversary and had left their 17-year-old son at home alone for the first time. Jarrett so kindly informed them that he was probably neither home, nor alone.

I think we originally thought we would get a hike in on Saturday, and had nearly perfect weather for it, but a late night and some wine drinking left us feeling a little less than motivated to don the hiking boots. I have to admit that I was a little irritated at myself for missing the opportunity, but we still took advantage of the beautiful day and drove out to a farm, hoping to find some apples to take home. Unfortunately, the apple orchard was out of apples. But the farm and the surrounding vistas were gorgeous, and we did end up leaving with some apple butter and apple-jack marinade. As a side note, another roadside stand we stopped at in search of apples the previous day did have apples... but with Washington State stickers on (some of) them. Seriously?

It sounded like Elsa had a fun time with her grandparents. They went on walks and collected leaves, played on the playground, and went out to lunch. She was thrilled with riding in Granddad's car! I am so glad they all had this time together. It is always nice to think that something so good comes out of our escapism. :)

And if the time away wasn't grand enough, I got to come home and get a nearly two-hour massage from my father-in-law. He is currently in school for massage and had told us beforehand that in payment for babysitting, we would need to let him give us massages and then sign a piece of paper stating that we had done so. That way he would get credit for his class. Oh please... twist my arm, why don't you. Jarrett got his before we left. We both agree that it was probably the best massage we've ever had. I think there might be some benefit in having a massage therapist in the family!