Anniversary getaway

Tomorrow, Josh and I celebrate our 8th anniversary.

He is my best friend, and I can't imagine going through life with anyone else.

Yesterday and today, we had the chance to get away for our anniversary, for the first time in five years. After dropping the girls off with his mom, we drove to LaSalle-Peru and visited the local sights, including a store called Rural King (just as classy as you would imagine), Target (to get swimsuits for our hotel stay), and Steak and Shake for a nutritious, early lunch.

Then, we headed to Matthiessen State Park for an afternoon of hiking. The weather forecast had threatened storms and high winds, so I was nervous that we'd get there just in time for the deluge to begin. Luckily, the storms held off and we enjoyed dappled sunshine and the rustling of a cooling breeze high in the trees. Instead of stormy, the weather was absolutely perfect. And anytime we got close to too hot, we found ourselves having to (or choosing to) walk through the chilly water.

We hiked all afternoon, enjoying various waterfalls, cascades, and one or two unmarked trails. And we talked about where life is taking us, and where we want to go, and laughed over silly memories and how we kept losing our very sensible footwear (flipflops) in some of the muck of the streams. We hadn't been to Matthiessen in five years, but it was just as wonderful as we remembered, and we made many, many great memories this time as well.

After we finished our hike, we stopped for a quick snack and then headed to the Starved Rock Lodge. After checking in, we went back to the water--this time, the chlorinated kind--and spent an hour relaxing in the pool, hot tub, and sauna. Then it was time to get ready for dinner. We had reservations at Elements, which is the restaurant on site. Josh had a grilled porkchop with polenta and green beans, and I had polenta with butternut squash, rosemary, and sauteed mushrooms. It was deeeelish, especially after a long day of hiking.

Obligatory food shot

After dinner, we took a walk around the lodge grounds, and then had dessert and drinks. We finished just in time to watch a beautiful sunset. It was the perfect end to a perfect day.

This morning, we slept in (hallelujah, amen) and then, as part of our anniversary package, went back to Elements for breakfast. Though our legs were sore, we decided a little more hiking was in order, so after checking out we drove to the entrance for the Kaskaskia Falls and Ottawa Canyon, and then went to hike to  the Illinois Canyon as well. Today was a bit muggier and a bit buggier, but the views were just as beautiful, and of course, the company was just as nice.

After our adventures over the past two days, I have a few observations.

1. I will never say that Illinois lacks in natural beauty ever again. It's not that I ever actually believed it, but when you see the same river and the same farm fields every day, it can seem mundane. Sure, it may not be as obvious as, say, the Rocky Mountains, but finding looking a little harder to find it is so, so worth it.

2. Josh and I really enjoy hiking. I can't wait to explore that hobby more with him.

3. That being said, I am pretty sure tomorrow I will be thanking the Good Lord in Heaven that I have a desk job, because right now, any movement below my waist hurts.

4. Marrying Josh was the best decision I have ever made, and the past 8 years have been the best years of my life, and the past two days reminded me of just how lucky I am. I can't wait to see where the next 67 years take us.