Despite the horrible stomach flu (or whatever it was) Saturday night, I slept well (the sound of the ocean always helps me sleep) and I woke up feeling much better. We went to the restaurant next door for breakfast.
I ordered very plain food and ate half of it. I ate the English muffin, the eggs and one sausage and left the rest. I wanted to make sure my stomach could handle it. Michael got a breakfast burrito that he said was delicious.
After breakfast we checked out and then went for another walk on the beach. The weather was much better. It was hot, sunny and not windy at all!
We walked south down the beach. There were rumors of a kite festival down there and I wanted to see if it was happening yet. It was still pretty early in the morning.
We walked a long ways down the beach. It was such a nice day and I was happy that I was feeling better.
I love the beach! It is so relaxing to me. Walking on the beach is a workout too. I was a little bummed that I was too sick the night before to check out the hotel pool but that wouldn’t have been a good idea with my stomach issues.
We made it to the kite festival and watched for a few minutes. The kites were exceptional. It wasn’t really windy, though, so I wondered if the Kite Festival would be a bust.
Our legs were getting a major workout as we walked the beach. It was nice! We made our way back to the hotel.
In the car I had another clue.
Michael navigated and I drove down 101 through Lincoln City. The destination ended up being Devil’s Lake. Michael had planned for us to go for a bike ride around the lake. He decided he didn’t want to do that. His legs were pretty beat up from walking several miles on the beach. I was alright with not biking. I wasn’t 100% after my stomach issues. I suggested that we drive back toward Portland and stop at Hagg Lake on the way. There were supposed to be biking trails there. He thought that was a great idea and he hoped his legs would be recovered by then. I got the final clue:
AWWWW. Michael is so romantic! We drove to McMinnville and stopped for lunch first. We ate lunch at the Golden Valley Restaurant and Brewery. We’ve eaten there before and enjoyed it. Michael got the skirt steak salad:
I had a bite and it was good! I ordered the half sandwich (turkey with havarti) and a small cup of chili.
It was a nice, slow lunch on the outdoor patio. It was warm and muggy but a pleasant experience. I did not count my calories at all over the weekend. I gave myself a break. But I didn’t eat much (and I was sick) so I am not worried at all. Sometimes it’s nice to take a break. And sometimes it’s nice to not “work out”. Our vacations are usually pretty active and we usually do a LOT of heavy fitness activities. It was nice to just do low-key this time.
After lunch we drove to Hagg Lake and checked it out. By the time we got there we were both EXHAUSTED and neither of us felt like biking. It will definitely be something we do in the future.
It was a wonderful weekend! Michael did a great job planning everything and I loved the romantic clues. š He said that I get to plan next year! I think he realized how much work goes into planning our trips. I don’t mind being the planner, but once in awhile it’s nice to have Michael create something fun!
QUESTION: Are your vacations active or low-key?
Carbzilla
Big applause for Michael. I told Chris about your trip, and he felt bad that he hadn’t planned a surprise in our 12 years together (but he also didn’t have a plan for our first date so it’s not like I didn’t know this about him). I think he now feels inspired. Since I’m also a *little* bit of a control freak, I think he’s afraid of doing the planning. I assured him I would always be grateful and would not be critical (and he knows better than to plan an outing to, say, a reptile show).
We’re very used to planning together but a surprise is always nice.
Yes, our vacations are always very active. Last time we went to Sunriver, I called it a Triathalon. I finally cried Uncle, and Chris went on another 10 mile trail ride without me.
Hope you’re feeling better!
Lisa Eirene
Hehehe I think if the four of us when to Sunriver together, Chris and I could go run and you and Michael could lounge at the pool. š Although something tells me Chris is way faster and fitter than me.
Michael did a fantastic job. He told me I have to take over the planning for awhile. š I’m okay with that. I LOVE planning and researching our vacations!
Carbzilla
The thing about Chris is that he has excellent genes and great stamina – his whole family does. So he can NOT train at all, and then just jump on a bike for miles or go running or hike all day. It’s maddening. Of course, he was trained by the Marines, but that was a LONG time ago.
Ironically, any sport sport, like softball, he usually gets some crazy injury the first game and is then out, so maybe there’s something to be said for conditioning. I’ll let you know after our bowling outing in a couple of weeks. š
Lisa Eirene
I wish I had genes like that! I have to keep my conditioning up.
Have fun bowling! Are you going in Portland?
Carbzilla
No, bowling’s in Seattle on the 10th. Chris is a surprisingly good bowler. I used to be good but I don’t have a lot of upper body strength like I used to.
LOL @ Michael. Maybe he should bring his “good bike” down to Portland. PS We need to have our cheap bikes tuned up (Chris has a bad brake & my 1st gear is wonky). The place near us quoted $80 each but the bikes only cost $199 each. Any suggestions for simple tune-ups?
Lisa Eirene
Michael would be the better person to ask. I took my bike to the Bike Gallery here in Portland and it was cheap. But I also bought my bike from them so not sure….
Lisa Eirene
Michael suggested REI.
The Boyfriend
I’d be happy to put that theory to test on the bike with him. š
Becky
Michael is so thoughtful! What a wonderful vacation! I think I’ll have to show Hubster so he can get some ideas for next year. š
Lisa Eirene
Michael got big bonus points! š I hope he inspires other guys out there.
jane Cartelli
Tell Michael he is hired. For the past 14 (almost 15) years my life’s work has been creating magical moments such as your weekend – for people coming to the Florida theme park area. Fifteen years ago I started http://www.GIftsofaLifetime.com and I have had a joy of creating such events for my client’s even since.
So many of my clients are men who WANT desperately to achieve the right mix of surprise, romance and life long memories but they do not have a clue how do it. So they hire me.
Michael did it all on his own and he gets huge kudos from this professional for his creative vision!
Jane~
Keepingthepoundsoff.com
Lisa Eirene
You are so right Jane! I’m sure a lot of guys want to do something special and romantic but just don’t know how or where to start. And I find it hard to imagine guys talking to other guys about ideas! š
The Boyfriend
Hey now! Let’s talk money…
Beth @ Beth's Journey
Wil and I are taking the most active vacation we’ve taken so far this weekend… to the Shenandoah Valley. I’ll let you know how it goes!!
Lisa Eirene
That sounds like fun! I can’t wait to hear about it.
Marilyn @ Lipgloss and Spandex
I like to relax on my vacation. Reading magazines, getting some sun, and drinking some wine sound good to me! My boyfriend is super excited about going to Sunriver this summer, and he’s going to want to do activities all day long.
Lisa Eirene
I’ve only been to Sunriver in the winter time. I would LOVE to go this summer and take our bikes, do some hiking!
My vacations are rarely relaxing. I get excited and want to DO stuff! š
steena
So jealous of your beach day! Even though I just had one, I just LOVE the beach! The smell, the sun, the birds, the sand in every crevasse!
I’m on vacation right now, and we’re just doing day trips every day.. low key, budget conscious, etc.
Lisa Eirene
Low key day trips are fun too. We do that a lot and it’s great.
I love the beach too!