Ripon

My vacation day started as every “day off” always does, with a few hours of work …. But the the next 24 hours were amazing 🙂

I had an appointment for a lovely manicure with “cat eyes” and started driving to Ripon.

On the drive, I ended up stopping at a wildlife viewing area and there was hunting rules (yikes!)…..& Stopped at a rest area and there was a line for the men’s room (full of people in camo and Hunter orange) but the women’s room was empty.

Saw a sign for a local coffee shop 20 miles out and I stopped. I ordered the house specialty “just the ticket” latte that was a delicious blend of lavender, vanilla and caramel. I purchased some witty stickers and magnets for friends.

Tried to visit the little white schoolhouse but it was covered in snow and closed. (I’m clearly a democrat anyway, but was willing to learn more.)

Checked in at the hotel. Ahhhhhhhh.

Shopped downtown.

Cheered loudly for Michael’s race.

The whole reason for the trip. 💕

Fish fry and old fashioned for dinner.

Snow plows, Coach buses, snow mobiles…

The white noise of the jets and the white snow falling softly outside the window was the perfect escape for my brain that never shuts off. I forced myself to put down my phone, my screens, my podcasts, my to-do list, and I just sat in the present moment looking at the bubbles, feeling the warm water and watching the snow float like a feather to the ground, covering the brown dead-looking trees in the magical snow-covered February landscape.

Visited my second cute coffee house! Mugs. Ordered the banana PB honey latte on special.

Visited beautiful Menomonee Falls on the drive home.

Enjoyed the Rueben sandwich at an Irish pub across the street from the falls.

And arrived safely at home by 3pm in time to Uber my husband and his friends to the craft beer festival and have a photo adventure with Finn.

So grateful for the chance to relax, enjoy a daily dose of novelty, catch up on my podcasts, have some downtime in a hot tub and enough money (and privilege) for a safe solo adventure.