Surprise for Sam
The summer was going fast and we had yet to take a mini trip just the two of us- no Sammy, no dogs, no goats or chickens… So for Sam’s 30th birthday, I planned a surprise weekend getaway for the two of us! We stayed in a boutique 1950’s motel, ate local tasty food, enjoyed a morning stroll in the streets of downtown Chicago and ended the weekend with a concert! I even planned horseback riding at a stable near our concert venue, because Sam is a cowboy at heart. This Saturday afternoon to Sunday actually felt like a much longer vacation for the two of us, and we were more than ready to get back home to our little boy who stayed with my parents for the night. Below you can see the itinerary I gave Sam the day we left, I knew he would appreciate the transparent background logos and the interactive links being a software guy and all.
Where Did We Go?
Summary & Reviews
Bridges Waterside Grille ~ Local joint found in Michigan City, Indiana! If you enjoy sitting on a deck overlooking the channel and old train bridge, while eating a tasty gluten free burger and crispy french fries then this is a great place to stop! Check out Bridges Waterside Grille here.
Al & Sally’s Motel ~ I looked high and low for an airbnb that was updated and clean with high reviews. Now this motel was fantastic- the owners restored the 50’s vibe, complete with pink bathroom tile, textured walls and retro upholstered headboards. I contacted the motel and asked if they could do something special for Sam’s birthday and they replied right away that they were very excited to do that for us! I asked for tonic water and limes, and not only did they provide the best tonic with balloons and a card, they sliced limes and put them in a container in the fridge. Amazing! Check out Al & Sally’s here.
Lou Mitchell’s ~ We decided to wake up early and head downtown Chicago for breakfast. What a great call! Lou Mitchell’s did not disappoint with the best omelette I’ve ever had, as well as a tasty gluten free buttercream pancake. This is a must-try diner the next time you are in Chicago! Check out Lou Mitchell’s here.
Shilo Ranch ~ On over forty acres in Hobart, Indiana this is a family owned operation that was perfect for our trip. Despite the rain, our guide helped us have a great time. We paid $50 per person for an hour of horseback riding which included learning how to mount a horse and obstacle courses using commands! Sam looked good up on a large, black horse named Fury! Check out Shilo Ranch here.
Tinley Park Amphitheater ~ We had tickets in the pit for Maverick City Music’s Kingdom Tour! What an amazing set with a crowd of all sorts of cultures, ages, and backgrounds! For that reason, going to a Christian concert in Chicago was a different experience than the Van Andel in Grand Rapids! We loved the energy and the gospel style music. An amazing venue and even better concert! Praise the Lord! Check out Maverick City Music on Youtube Music here!
