Since I spent all my vacation over the summer, the fall really didn't leave me much time to go anywhere for more then just a long weekend. So, here is a montage of my little trips throughout the fall:
Seattle Sept. 2-6
My last real big trip of the summer ended with me flying out to Seattle over Labor Day Weekend to visit my friend Anna. I arrived really late on Friday, Sept. 2nd. By the time we got out of the airport, thru Seattle traffic, onto the Ferry to take us over to Whidbey Island where she lived, dumped by stuff and get ready for bed it was around 3:30am. The next morning we rolled out of bed late and decided to hit one of the local farmer’s markets on the Island. The weather was great and we walked around sampling food, listening to local musicians play folk music and did some wine tasting at a wine bar next to the farmer’s market.
 |
| 1 of 10 trillion coffee shacks in the state of Washington |
Afterwards, we dropped our stuff and decided to take a leisurely drive up thru Whidbey Island. The island is very rural with lots of small, quaint towns that remind me of Saugatuck. We decided to stop at this state park, which used to be called Fort Casey. There’s a lighthouse and the foundations of old buildings that aren’t in use anymore. The fort is right on the water, so we were able to walk down the beach and enjoy the ocean for a while.
 |
| I love mountains and water! |
 |
| Fort Casey Lighthouse |
 |
| Anna resting on the beach at Fort Casey (pretty sure she's gona kill me for posting this) |
After wandering the fort, we continued our drive to the North side of the Island where a bridge connects the island to the mainland and there 's a nice park where you can get a great view.
 |
| Deception Pass State Park |
My last day in Washington, Anna drove me back down to Seattle and we hit the famous fish market on Pike Street.
 |
| The very first Starbucks! Where the $6 cup of coffee was invented! |
Since we had some time before my plane was going to take off, we had a beer at Kell's Irish Pub. If you're familiar with Ghost Adventures, these guys did a lockdown here! ooooh!
Petoskey Oct 8th-9th
Since it was Gary's "29 again" birthday on the 9th, we decided to head up to Petoskey and use this gift certificate that my dad had gotten for me towards a bed and breakfast stay. Normally, I don't really like B&B's because I feel like I'm spending the night in a stranger's house with other strangers. It's like a setup for a Halloween movie. However, this place that we chose in Petoskey was more like an old hotel with about 50 rooms. It was beautiful! And we lucked out because the weather just happened to be really warm that weekend and the little town was only busy with locals instead of crowds of tourists. It was fun to get away, even if it was just for one day.
 |
| The Terrace Inn - Petoskey |
 |
| Picture perfect fall day driving back home |
Chicago November 4th-6th
Meghann wanted to go to Chicago for a long weekend, so we chose the first week in November to head out. Luckily, it was really warm and sunny that weekend, so we had a chance to walk around a little bit outside in the city. We stayed at this nice hotel in the Lincoln Park neighborhood rather then downtown. I really like being more in the neighborhood areas then right in the city where all the tourists are. We were able to purchase a 3 day L pass and didn't use the car the whole time. I love that! And Samantha was a champ riding the metro. I thought she would get scared with all the noise, but she did real good.
 |
| View of the city from Lincoln Park Zoo |
Saturday morning I had gotten tickets for us all to see a play called "If you give a cat a cupcake". It is based on the books of the same name. The play was only an hour, so I figured that Samantha could handle it. The play was hilarious. Meghann and I were laughing the entire time while Ryan and Gary were rolling their eyes. Samantha was a little scared of the guy dressed up as the cat, but otherwise I think she had fun.
 |
| Super excited to see the play! |
 |
| Samantha got her book signed by the cat. "Eat more cupcakes! Love Cat" |
Besides the play, Saturday afternoon we went to Shed's aquarium and almost had a meltdown when we saw that the line went out the door and almost reached the other museum. Luckily, Gary knew the super secret side entrance and we got in just in time for Samantha to fall asleep. After that debacle, we went over to Rock Bottom Brewary for a few beers. Later, Meghann and I got massages at this place a few blocks away from our hotel while Ryan and Gary got bossed around by Samantha for an hour. The next morning we ate breakfast as this great little cafe next to our hotel and headed outta town. Overall, it was a fun trip and a great way to spend the last nice weekend before the cold set in.
