The Next Morning: The Gainesville Getaway

Eric and I awoke, packed our belongings and headed to breakfast one last time! Just as wonderful. We checked out, thanked the staff for a fantastic stay and experience and bid them farewell. We headed straight to the Butterfly Rainforest. We were please to find that they were taking flight. Eric and I, each, had a butterfly land on us and we saw many beautiful plants and birds as well.

One last stop at Mochi before driving home. Eric loves mochi. Can't eat enough of it. As I do not like ice cream, I stuck with my honeydew frozen yogurt. Yes, You heard...eh...read correctly. I do not like ice cream.  No, the world is not coming to an end. Believe it or not there are those in the world who do not like ice cream. Though our numbers are quite few.

Everything was perfect and coming home was difficult. It was a lovely time and we look forward to our next stay in a bed and breakfast!

The First Night: The Gainesville Getaway

We drove to Gainesville from Tampa and arrived shortly after 3pm. After checking in and taking our luggage to our room, on the third floor, we decided to go for a nice walk in the McKenzie Gardens. Although, it was cold and a few of the plants were dead from the winter or covered up, we still enjoyed our romantic walk through the gardens. The temperature continued to drop leading us to the nearest Walmart to buy $1 gloves and beanies. Excellent decision.

That evening we made our way to the Wine & Cheese hour with the other guests. Eric and I both do not care for wine, therefore he drank coffee and I drank tea. We spent two hours socializing with two lovely older couples, who were at least twenty years our senior. Eric and I enjoy speaking with our elders. We find that they have more important and interesting things to say then those our age. Our conversation was of a more mature and enlightened substance, then the latest music, TV shows, and/or movies.

We parted ways for the evening to find dinner and one of the dear couples gave us a gift of $50 to have a nice anniversary dinner. Eric and I insisted it was not necessary; however they were fervent in their decision to bless us. They thanked Eric for his service to our country, told us that they were proud of us, and wished us the best in our marriage and parenthood. We were speechless to their kindness. How refreshing to still be able to find kindhearted, selfless, and generous people in today's society!

We ate dinner at the Smoke House. We spent the dinner reflecting on the evening and thanking God for always blessing us. After dinner we turned in for the night, eager to start our adventure tomorrow. I was eager because Eric said he had a surprise for me that went along with our bicycle rides. I could barely sleep!

PICTURES

Eric and I both are fond of Koi

Unfortunately the first morning, Cornelia (the owner), had to chase
down a herring who killed her largest Koi. She was devastated.
She had him for 20 years. Saddness.

We were intrigued that the statue was positioned just right
to block the sun from her eyes. That or it was a happy accident.

Used for wedding pictures.

Honeymoon Cottage and gazebo.

We explored the other rooms and found some with
claw foot tubs. So cool. Our room did not have one.

Kind of random to have this here - in a victorian themed inn.
But since Cornelia's mom does own an Eco Lodge in Costa Rica
 it does make since.

Cushman House Parlor. Where we took our Wine & Cheese.

We were hoping to hear someone play the organ during
our Wine & Cheese. Didn't happen. Cushman House.

The breakfast room in the Cushman House.

Very clean kitchen. Cushman House

Dinner time. I hope Elora gets his gorgeous blue eyes!

Smoke House. We like stained glass windows. Cool fact: the table tops
are made from the fiber glassed 50 year old wood they removed
from the ceiling when they restored the building.

This was my meal. AMAZING!

Eric's. The smoked corn was delicious!

Happy Anniversary to us! Seven years down...forever to go!

Dessert was berry cobbler. It was so good. We gobbled that
up so quickly we burnt the inside of our mouths.

The Gainesville Getaway

For our seven year anniversary, Eric and I had a wonderful little getaway in Gainesville, Florida. We stayed two nights at the lovely Sweetwater Branch Inn Bed and Breakfast. Our accommodations were in the Isadora Room within the fabulous McKenzie House. The room was gorgeous and perfect. I had no hand in selecting the room or activities we would undertake. Eric made all the arrangements, selections, and had a couple surprises for me. He did a marvelous job.

As this post could be come very long with descriptions and pictures, I have decided to break it up into four segments over the next few days. So, keep checking back!

Front door to the McKenzie House. Built in 1885. Restored in 1993

The McKenzie House. Our room was on the third floor with the turret windows.

Brew your own tea in one of the adorable tea pots in the breakfast room,
located in the Cushman House. I positively adore having tea.
Alone or with friends. It's relaxing and delicious.

Part of the breakfast bar in the Cushman House. The Cushman House
was also built in 1885 and restored in 1993. I really like the citrus press in
the corner. Eric squeezed fresh oranges both mornings for me.

The stove breakfast was made on in the Cushman House. I absolutely love
this type of stove. I want one. My mother always cooked on a
gas stove during my childhood in Honduras.

Cornelia owns and runs the Sweetwater Branch Inn. Every morning
she served us breakfast. She was delightful, as was the rest of the staff.
Her mother owns Selva Verde Eco Lodge in Costa Rica. Having lived in
Costa Rica myself for three years I was excited to exchange stories with her.