Babymoon

Wikipedia says "the term [babymoon] has come to be used to describe a vacation taken by a couple that is expecting a baby in order to allow the couple to enjoy a final trip together before the many sleepless nights that usually accompany a newborn baby. Babymoons usually take place at a resort that offers appropriate services like prenatal massage."

Combine this with the Gales of November and you've got the perfect North Shore getaway for Lotus and her Big D.

We headed out of the city two hours later than planned, but hey, it's all about relaxation and we've got the whole week off, so problem, mon. Stopped into Nokomis for lunch, way after the lunch hour. We had the bar to ourselves.



I love sitting in this smaller, more intimate area. I liked it a whole lot more when I was able to have a glass of Sir Duluth beer, but that's OK, I ordered the killer lemonade. The more formal dining room is not our style and I just know the raspberry vinaigrette that came with my field salad would be splattered all over the white table cloths in less than a minute.



We've had two rather wonderful, special meals at this place a few years back, but those were experiences especially reserved for that time, not this one. We came here right after I defended my doctorate dissertation. Trying to recreate that great day is not possible, but the food was good anyway. I used to love the salad because it was surrounded by a long, thin strip of an English cucumber. Not this time. The server actually had the salad pre-split because I mentioned that we were going to share it. I love sharing a plate with my lover. Oh well. Also ordered the kobe burger and that had changed too. I'm a burger purist. This one had goat cheese and pesto on it. I don't like goat cheese and because I'm pregnant I'm not supposed to eat soft cheeses. The Big D loved it and even finished mine off. That I loved! I love that I'm married to man that would eat a burger with these fixings. I know far too many people would have sent it back to the kitchen. The meal was better than I'm letting on - this is just my disappointment coming through. The sweet potato fries were awesome!



And the drive can't be beat. The rain started just as I finished taking some pictures. The fog rolled in and the waves picked up. That's exactly what I was hoping for. I can't wait to sleep tonight with the sound of the waves crashing up against the rocks right outside our window.



We arrived at Bluefin Bay just before sunset. We have an unobstructed view of the water. It's sunday so the resort is sparsely occupied. The Gales of November special allows us three days here for the price of two. We unloaded the Jeep and headed towards the water. Fall seems like the perfect time to be here, but the weather is unpredictable. We had planned some hikes, but that may not be possible if there is a lot of rain. We have a drive planned that takes us inland on a rustic route to Grand Marais. And of course, some Christmas shopping in Grand Marais. Perhaps some pizza at Swen and Ole's.



I shot a whole lot more but had left my remote shutter control up in the room, so many of my photos are a little shaky. Oh well, there'll be a chance for round two.

We have a kitchen. I have a wild rice soup bubbling on the stove as I write. There is a wonderful fireplace. I have wireless access that allows me to sit here and blog a bit. And there is a reason why I am blogging, an everyday sort of activity while here in North Shore paradise. I forgot the carrots for the soup, our Bialetti stovetop coffee maker, the swiss cheese, and something to carry our lunch sandwiches. So, I'm washing and reusing the ziplocks I have and am pouting a bit because I can't drink wine or smoke a cigarette. You see, every other time we have come up here I have had free access to my vices. And memories of those vices hit me hard as I sat in front of the fireplace. It's just not the same, I'm sorry to say.

Yet, tomorrow is another day. And if it rains hard and long enough, I might just give in and get that prenatal massage. I've never had a massage and the Big D is insisting. Who am I to argue? Of course, tomorrow will be better. There's nothing like waking up to the big lake GitchiGummi.