Sometimes last minute plans turn out to be way better than anything you could have tried to arrange over the course of weeks. Normally I would never admit to this, being the highly ordered planner that I am. (I admit that I have actually added something I’ve already done to my to-do list just for the satisfaction of crossing it off.) But the weekend we spent celebrating our 2 year anniversary was undeniable evidence that spontaneous can be far more fun than itineraries. On a bit of a whim, we signed up for a wine tour, made last minute reservations at a Bed & Breakfast and escaped into the country for a weekend all to ourselves!
On the Niagara Escarpment, about half an hour north of Buffalo, lies the Niagara Wine Trail and miles upon miles of crisp Autumn-colored countryside. It so happened that the wine trail’s annual “Hallowine” even was going on, so we bought tickets. At our starting winery we were given commemorative wine glasses, wine tastings and the back story to a murder mystery plot. Each winery (we were given multiple tastings at all of them) had one character from the story whom you could interview to gather clues and make your guess as to “who dunnit.” My original thought was that we’d get through most of the wineries and murder suspects on Saturday, even though the event lasted through Sunday. It was a good thing we had Sunday too, because what I hadn’t planned on was Ben as tipsy as I’ve ever seen him after only four wineries! He was just buzzing enough to be in that happy place where everything is really funny and the scenery starts trailing.
Fortunately, I had also found a Bed & Breakfast in the area, Porches of Pendelton, which looked idyllic. We decided to check into the B&B and get some dinner to help absorb all the wine. The innkeepers gave us a recommendation to a local restaurant on the water, which was perfect. Feeling much better after dinner, we went back to the B&B and sat in the beautiful little library, rereading all the cards from our wedding and reminiscing about the best day we ever had – and all the people who were there to share it with us!
Sunday we finished the wine tour and made our guesses as to who the murderer was. We each guessed someone different to improve our changes of being right. We were both wrong, so I guess that plan backfired. Ah well, the wine helped ease our disappointment.
November 9th, 2009 at 10:27 pm
What an awesome anniversary weekend. You guys are amazing and so creative.
Love you lots.
November 12th, 2009 at 12:01 am
Jen that part about adding things to your to do list after the fact is hysterical : ) Looking forward to seeing you both for the holiday…any ideas where you’ll be staying?