Several weeks ago, I decided that I was going to make some plans for getting away for our anniversary. We have not in all of our years of marriage stayed at a Bed & Breakfast, so I embarked on the research.
First of all, because of the unusually warm temps for the past number of weeks and second, because I love Lake Michigan; I decided to check out places close to the Lake. The one that stood out to me most and foremost was The Kingsley House in Fennville, MI. It was close to the Lake, close to many wineries, close to Holland (which is a little town I fell in love with a couple of years ago) and close to Saugatuk ( a quaint resort town on Lake Michigan). I love small resort towns. Anyway, this place had rave reviews. So I booked us a room for 2 nights, envisioning us being able to spend our time outside exploring Lake Michigan and quaint touristy shops and eateries - even if the temps would be in the 50's - even 40's would have been ok.
But as the week of our anniversary approached - the weather reports were not looking good. I was so hoping that it would change at the last minute. Needless to say - it did not!!!! And the temps dipped down into the teens at night and Saturday did not get above 22 and the wind was COLD! I was disappointed - I began to look for things and activities to do indoors. But there just wasn't that much available. And if there was - they were not open because it was not tourist season.
Anyway - we needed some time away - so we went anyway. It was a new experience for both of us. I really did not know quite what to expect with a B & B. All I knew was that there were bedrooms and breakfast in the morning. This was a Victorian era house and it was very beautiful. It was what I would have expected a Bed & Breakfast to look like. The host was very welcoming and professional. The food was excellent. We did have to wait until 9am to eat breakfast (we're used to eating at like 5.30/6am) so we were both very hungry. And then ALL the guests ate together as the host seated us and served us. I assumed it would be kind of like a continental breakfast at a hotel being open at certain hours and we would be eating at our leisure and helping ourselves. Thankfully, the other guests were very nice and talkative and we all had a great time around the table getting to know each other. One of the guests was an actual Homeland Security cop/detective. And we found out that this couple were celebrating their 15th anniversary and guess what day......March 9 Ha!!!! who would have thought that 2 couples who never knew each other would meet on this weekend at this specific B&B and be celebrating anniversaries that occurred on the same day. The other 2 couples, interestingly enough, celebrate their anniversaries both in the month of October......I do not believe in coincidences.....interesting.......
Steve and I took a nap in the morning after breakfast and a nap in the afternoon on Saturday. We took the drive to Holland - did NOT get out to walk around but did get out to eat lunch at a very good bar and grill place. We then drove to Saugatuk and drove along the lake and around the little town. We did NOT get out to walk around. Just wasn't in the mood to battle the cold temps. In the evening, after we had a great meal at Salt of the Earth in Fennville - we watched the movie "Secondhand Lions" (excellent movie).
We ate breakfast again this morning and then leisurely took our time coming home.
Disappointing because it did not happen the way that I had anticipated - but for some reason, my plans usually do not pan out. I think I put too much expectation on them - even though I try not to. We did get refreshed, got some much needed rest and sleep and was able to be together and not have any agenda, which is very refreshing.
Good experience! I would highly recommend The Kingsly House if you like to go that direction and if you like B & B's. I asked Steve if he thought we should try to do them more often, since he is the Introvert.....he wasn't sure. He liked the atmosphere and the personal touches. Not a huge fan of eating breakfast with a bunch of total strangers. Thankfully, God was kind to give us fellow guests that were not difficult to get to know.
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