Mark gave me a trip to Broken Bow, OK for my birthday this year. I really wanted to stay in a cabin (not a rustic one) and enjoy some time away from the hustle and bustle. What made the trip even more fun was that Doug, Becky, and Charlotte joined us! We packed enough food for the entire weekend, loaded up the truck with all our bags, and put Cali (their
Labradoodle) in the dog box and away we went!
It was supposed to take about 3 hours to get to Broken Bow, but after a dinner stop and Doug reading the map incorrectly, it we got there in 6 hours. There is not a whole lot in Broken Bow except cabins, a Country Store, and some parks. The people watching was some of the best we have ever seen (to put it nicely). The cabin was great! It was complete with a hot tub, grill area, pool table, and fire pit. It was called "A Shore Thing."
After putting a very tired Charlotte to bed, we decided to unpack, get some drinks, get in the hot tub and then play a game of Scrabble. We were having so much fun laughing and talking that we didn't realize it was 2am! We decided to all go to bed since we had to get up early with Charlotte the next morning.
Mark, Doug and Charlotte made us a yummy breakfast of pancakes, eggs, and bacon before we ventured out to the park for a nature hike. I love this picture of Charlotte helping Mark in the kitchen!
The nature trail was so pretty and so relaxing. The weather couldn't have been any more perfect. None of us had cell phone reception which allowed us to just enjoy one
another's company, good talks, and the outdoors. We stopped often on the trail to let Charlotte and Cali (and let's be honest, our husbands) play in the water. Charlotte had so much fun "washing rocks" and throwing rocks.
The guys had fun throwing rocks too. Here is a picture of them having a splash competition. Somehow Becky and I got a little damp while this took place....
While leaving the park, we spotted a paddle boat place and we just had to stop. I was, by far, the most excited about this. Each couple rented a paddle boat and away we went. We didn't get a picture of it but Mark pushed me out from the dock before he got in and left me to figure out the boat by myself. This resulted in everyone laughing at me on the dock (Becky was crying she was laughing so hard) and me laughing and freaking out all at the same time. One thing is for sure, paddle boating is a good leg and thigh work out!
After lunch, Becky and I went to the little winery called Girls Gone Wine. It was adorable and so much fun! We were able to taste a bunch of wine and then enjoy two glasses while we shopped, talked, and sat on their patio. And best of all, I found a wine I actually liked! We even got
souvenir wine glasses with our purchase.
When we came home, they guys had started to cook our yummy dinner.
Mark went all out and made shrimp poppers and fried quail legs for appetizers and steak, roasted potatoes, and salad for dinner along with chocolate molten mini-cakes for desserts (yep, didn't follow Weight Watchers on this weekend get-a-way!). My husband is an excellent cook.
As if we had not already had enough to eat, we decided to go ahead and roast
marshmallows since it was getting close to Charlotte's bedtime. Mark and Doug got the fire going, well, really just Mark. Doug supervised.
This was Charlotte's first time near a campfire so we were on full alert but she had so much fun putting the
marshmallows on the stick and then eating them.
I am not sure who had more fun roasting
marshmallows, me or Charlotte.
We had so much fun sitting by the fire while talking and laughing.
It got to be Charlotte's bedtime so we moved the party inside. We competed in a couples pool tournament. I had not played pool since I was in college so I was not very good but I had lots of fun playing! Becky showed off a couple of her cool pool moves (which made me laugh and made the guys roll their eyes).
The next morning we got up, cleaned up the cabin and hit the road....without breakfast. Those who know me know that I have to eat. Well, we thought we would stop for breakfast somewhere after getting on the road, but apparently people out there don't eat out very much so we didn't eat until 11am when we finally found a Chili's. Needless to say, I was starving, very grumpy, and chewing on gum while pretending it was a sandwich. After some chips and a burger, I was back again! Mark ordered a chocolate shake and shared some of it with Charlotte who loved it....
We had a WONDERFUL vacation. It is very rare that I don't want to return home after a trip but after this trip, I didn't want to come home. It was relaxing, nothing was planned, the weather was beautiful, we had fun in nature, we ate great food, and we got to spend time with our awesome friends talking about just how lucky we are in life. Sometimes it takes a weekend in the wilderness to remind you of what is important in life.
Most of all, thank you to my amazing husband for planning such a great trip. I loved it and I love you! Can't wait to do it again next year!!!
Kids could ride the elephants or the camels though Charlotte didn't want to do either. I, on the other hand, wanted to ride both -- guess I can hope Charlotte will want to ride next year!!! It is just a one ring circus and the crew sets up and takes down everything. The clowns distracted us while this was all happening.
It was safe to say, all three of us had a blast!
