Photo Diary: Five Year Wedding Anniversary
For our fifth wedding anniversary, we took the leap and planned a trip. Without our children. In a different state. Considering we have spent less than twenty-four hours away from them as a pair, this was both thrilling and terrifying.
The two factors we (i.e. Marcia, because she is a control freak) considered while planning were: somewhere easily attainable (in the event of an emergency) and that itinerary planning was limited to meal consumption, only. Basically, we wanted our time to be spent doing the antithesis of our day-to-day as adults and parents.
We posted up in the Tradewinds Suite at the Elizabeth Pointe Lodge where I set up residence in the whirlpool tub and Mark on our deck at dawn every morning for sunrise. We spent copious amounts of time on the beach, both relaxing (Seated! Reading!) and on long walks whereupon we held hands, a forgotten novelty as we are usually holding the hands of our children. In lieu of renting a car, we opted to walk the island on foot to explore, grabbing the odd Lyft to save our feet (and marriage, as some nights the thought of a long stroll was appealing as a root canal). The service at Elizabeth Pointe was superb, my favorite things tied between our tranquil sanctuary and their breakfast perched on their gorgeous wraparound porch overlooking the ocean. We were making tentative plans to return, both as a couple and as a family (they have family suites!) while there as it was a peaceful setting on the water and the perfect location to reset both individually and as a couple.
To See:
Ritz Carlton Spa - we took the opportunity to make a day of it, arriving early, bathing suits in hand to enjoy all the spa amenities before our service. Mark, a spa newbie spared no time settling right in.
Fort Clinch - we took a barefoot beach stroll to the jetty; gorgeous views. Loads of birds.
Eat:
Palace Saloon - had to pop in for a drink to Florida's oldest bar, which serendipitously had ties to Anheuser Busch
Pepper's Mexican Cocina - go for the chips/salsa, stay for the veggie quesadilla
David’s Restaurant - a fine dining experience thoroughly enjoyed sans children.
Salty Pelican - vibrant, relaxed beach haunt replete with live music. We even saw a proposal!
Espana - no less than three locals recommended this spot, so we tried to grab a last-minute reservation ultimately swinging by when they opened hoping to secure a seat at the bar and it was so worth it. Quintessential tapas, done beautifully.
Oh yeah, the kids were just fine.