Six Years: Part Two

Did you know that Cody was born 1 week and 1 day before our wedding day?  We didn't know it at the time, but when we were married Cody was already waiting for us.  And yes, this past Sunday was our 6 year anniversary.  I was hoping to get a blog post out that day, but due to a lack of internet and a need to do absolutely nothing, somehow that didn't happen.  I can say, Hans and I had a lovely anniversary...one of our best yet.

In previous years, our anniversary has been fairly low key.  Some years we've taken off work, other years we've just had a nice dinner.  In 2010, we went out of town for the weekend, but the place we traveled to was apparently in foreclosure, and while the views were lovely, we really couldn't figure out what there was to do.  Last year, we were two days out from opening the kennel and Hans' dad was in town.  We took the day off and went to a tomato festival (more fun than it sounds) and later to a show at the theater, but, while it was an enjoyable day off, it really didn't scream 5 year anniversary.  This year, we needed something special.  We were tired from all the long hours, and boy were we stressed.  We weren't sleeping enough, and we weren't sleeping well.  We needed a break.

A few weeks ago, I just happened to be piddling around online, and I decided to do a search for lake cabins.  I was looking for something rustic and secluded.  Something that would allow me to meditate and relax.  What I found was New River Retreat.  A lovely, peaceful, dog-friendly, rental property.

Was it secluded?  For the most part- yes.  Was it rustic?  Nope!  Was it everything we needed and then some?  Yes!

Hans and I left late Saturday afternoon.  I had rushed in packing, and I had already adopted the vacation attitude of "I don't care."  With each hour that we drove, I felt the stress of the past year melt away.  Hans and I talked about things we'd like to do, and we both agreed on one thing- we didn't want to do a thing!  Shortly before arriving at our cabin, we pulled into a neighboring town and picked up some groceries for the weekend as well as some Redbox movies.  We actually had time to watch movies!!

Saturday night, Hans and I watched the first of our movies, cooked dinner, and simply relaxed.  It was beautiful.

Sunday morning, our anniversary, we woke up feeling refreshed and happy.  The air was shrouded in a mountain mist.  I made us sausage and eggs which we ate on the covered porch with the river and the mountains as our view, and then we snuggled up on the couch and watched another movie.  It was so relaxing.  By the early afternoon, most of the mist and dew had dissipated, so we decided to head into town and do some exploring.

One of the places recommended in the brochures was the local Mercantile, so we thought we'd check it out.  The Mercantile offers a lot of neat foods and amenities, and one of the things they offer are bike rentals.  We asked the man working the counter where it was best to bike.  Then, we wondered if he had anything that could accommodate Lollie.  Cody could run with the bikes, but Lollie wouldn't be able to last.  We got set up with 2 bikes and a cart, and we were on our way!

We biked about 4 miles along the New River Trail, and we stopped multiple times for pictures and to give the dogs some water.

After the bike ride, we returned back to the cabin for more rest and more movies.  We had a very simple anniversary dinner of tacos, and then we spent the evening snuggling and enjoying each others' company.

Now then, this is where I have to be honest.  It's too big of an event to leave out, but it's not the best thing to have happen on your anniversary.  Late Sunday night, we took the dogs out to use the bathroom.  Our cabin was in the middle of a big open field, so I gave the dogs a little room to roam.  The next thing I new, Cody was tearing off across the field.  At first, I thought it was a rabbit or a deer he was after, but then I saw it- the tell-tale black tail of a skunk!  Just before bed on Sunday night, Cody got skunked!!!  So, what was super-relaxing became a mad rush to try and clean him up and get rid of the smell.  And boy did he smell!  Of course, we had to use my shampoo and conditioner since I hadn't brought any for the dogs.  And, of course, nothing removes skunk!  We at least got to the point where the smell was bearable, and then we went to sleep.

Monday morning, found us laughing about the previous evening.  Poor Cody reeked, but what could we do?  It was our last day there, and we wanted to get back fairly early, so we enjoyed a breakfast of waffles, and then we packed up and left.

Aside from the one major mishap, our trip was wonderful and perfect.  It was just what we needed to help us feel human again.  I can tell you now, I will happily go back to the New River.  I also think that Hans and I may make this a yearly trip.  It's just too nice not to.

Six years down, eternity to go!