Trip to the Midwest

Due to a tragic death in the family Josh and I had the opportunity to go to Wisconsin over the long holiday weekend. To be honest, I wish I could have met his family under happier circumstances, but the weekend turned out really well regardless.

Thursday, September 1

Josh and I went to Vegas for the night and stayed at the classy Excalibur hotel (32 bucks a night... can't beat that!).

We got in late, checked in, and then hit the sack (such party people right?!)

Friday, September 2

We got up at 4:00 am and headed over to the airport to catch our flight to Duluth, MN.

No one knew that we were coming and Josh really wanted to surprise his family so we had to find out where everyone was without giving away our plan.

We found out that most of his family and friends were at his Aunt and Uncles house (his Aunt had passed away). Before we headed over there, we stopped by his grandparents house to surprise them.

His grandma was so surprised when Josh walked in the house that she started crying. It was so cute! We sat and visited with his grandparents for a good hour before we decided it was time to surprise the rest of the family.

We arrived at Josh's Aunt and Uncles house and the surprise went off as planned. Everyone was really happy that Josh and I were able to come. I was really excited to meet Josh's sister, Jessi, and to see his mom, Suzi, again.

The rest of the night was spent visiting with family and friends, watching as people cut down trees and started fires, setting off fireworks, shooting a potato gun, eating and drinking, and getting eaten alive by mosquitos!

[Josh, Carla, Dawn, and Suzi]

[My poor knees - covered in mosquito bites!]

Saturday, September 3

Today we decided to do the "tourist thing" and see all the sights in Duluth and Superior.

[The Point]

[Enger Tower and Park]

[Lake Superior, Duluth, and Superior]

After seeing the sights, we went to find a hotel room. [His grandparents offered to have us stay with them but they have cats and I'm so allergic!] We got a nice suite (complete with hot tub) at the Barker Island Inn Resort.

After settling into out room we headed to the Anchor Bar to get some of their World Famous hamburgers. And yes, they were amazing! Greasy and amazing!

The rest of the night was spent hanging out at Champs. Here I got to meet Josh's dad and a lot of his friends. We had a blast!

Sunday, September 4

When we arrived in Wisconsin, Josh told me about all the places he wanted to take me, and all of them were food places. These Wisco people LOVE to eat!

Sunday morning we got up and headed over to Josh's grandparents house. From here we picked up Grandma, Grandpa, and Suzi and then headed out into the country to Bootleggers (one of the places on Josh's list). Just like the Anchor Bar, Bootleggers is know for their hamburgers. We ended up getting hamburgers, french fries, fried cheese curds, onion rings, mozzarella sticks, and fried mushrooms (see a theme here?). Everything was delicious!

During the afternoon, we hungout with the family and ran some errands for Grandma.

That night we went to Gronks (yes another restaurant know for their fried food and hamburgers) to get dinner with Jessi and her friend, Ally. We order cheese curds and I got a french dip. The cheese curds were to die for!

I can't believe I ate fried cheese curds twice in one day! I'm on vacation so it's ok right, RIGHT?

That night we went back to Champs to hang out with some friends. While we were there a girl was walking around selling roses. Josh bought me three of them! They were beautiful!

Monday, September 5

Today was the day I have been waiting for. A week into our relationship, Josh and I went out to breakfast and I ordered biscuits and gravy. I told him this was one of my favorite breakfast meals (next to pancakes of course) and he told me that his grandma makes the BEST biscuits and gravy and that he'll take me to Wisconsin someday so I can have try them.

I have been waiting 6 months for this day!

In the morning Josh and I checked out of our hotel and headed over to the Grandparents house to eat some of Grandmas famous biscuits and gravy. Josh didn't lie to me. Grandmas biscuits and gravy were the BEST I have ever had! She told me that it's taken years to perfect her recipe and let me tell you, it was all worth it!

[Grandparents House]

[Trying to a picture of me and Josh without the sun in our eyes]

[Success!]

[Jessi, Suzi, and I]

[Grandpa]

[Jessi, Suzi, and Josh]

After breakfast it was time for Josh and I to go to the airport. It was sad to leave his family but I told them that we would be back soon. I made a deal with Josh that we can go back during the winter but he has to buy me a really nice/warm pair of boots : )

Overall it was a great trip. Like I said before, I wish it could have been under better circumstances but we made the best out of the situation and had a great time!