Weekend Getaway to Duluth
A couple of weeks ago, Joel’s parents graciously watched the kids, giving us the opportunity to take a short break from work. We decided to take off from Friday through Monday and headed to Duluth for a little getaway.
Friday
On Friday morning, Joel went to play a bunch of pickleball while I took some time to read and catch up on work. We left around 3:30 PM, and started to listen to an audiobook—The Anxious Generation—which turned out to be quite depressing! So hard worrying about our kids and social media. We arrived in Duluth just after 6 PM, checked into our hotel, and dropped off our bags. For dinner, we walked over to Little Angie’s in Canal Park (future self – this was pretty good! Joel liked it, tasted good, big portions). After dinner, we walked back to the hotel and had a drink at the rooftop bar. We stayed at the Raddison, which as a restaurant at the top that rotates while you eat.
Saturday
We decided to walk to breakfast and settled on a two-mile walk to Duluth Grill. Although there was about a half-hour wait, the menu was so great and the food we did order made it worth the wait. On our way back, we got to watch a Santa run. There were hundreds of people dressed in Santa suits running and walking along our route. Back at the hotel, we squeezed in a quick workout at the gym then I relaxed in the hot tub while Joel hit the sauna.
I took a nap while Joel went to watch Gladiator at the movie theater, which he says he really liked. When I woke up, I ventured out for a walk in the snowy weather. I tried a few restaurants, but due to long waits or crowded bars, I went back to Little Angie’s for a couple of drinks. In the evening, Joel and I tried Bellisio’s, a fancy Italian restaurant in Canal Park. While the food was fine, it was twice the cost of what seemed reasonable, so I don’t think we’ll go back. We walked through Bentleyville to check out the holiday lights before walking back to the hotel. We went upstairs to to find some dessert (which was pretty underwhelming) but the restaurant was packed, so we ate at the bar before heading back to our room for the night.
Sunday
On Sunday morning, we walked to At Sara’s Table—a favorite from a few years ago when we ran the half marathon. Despite the icy three-mile walk, the meal was delicious. We took a detour to walk along the lake on our way back. I enjoyed another nap while Joel went to play pickleball, marking the only time we used the car during the weekend. Later, at the hotel bar, I encountered an overly talkative patron who wouldn’t let me enjoy my cocktail in peace. Eventually, I managed to find a quiet spot after meeting up with Joel.
For dinner, we headed to Cloud 9 in Canal Park for all-you-can-eat sushi. It was fantastic—better than our previous night’s meal and over half the price! We did go back to Bellisio’s for dessert, I got a crème brûlée and Joel got a small chocolate cake, though both were overpriced. Back at the hotel, I was so full that I struggled to sleep all night. I finished a book and started another. (I actually started two and just can’t get into either which put me on a reading slump. For the first time in years, I went three days without reading after we got home because I just didn’t want to.. so I finally realized I had no interest in the books and bought a book to read that I knew would interest me)
Monday
Monday morning, we walked to Duluth Grill again—this time with no wait. (Future self: I didn’t care for their chai tea latte but their breakfast quesadilla with the Impossible sausage was outstanding) After walking back to the hotel and enjoying some time in the hot tub, we packed up and left around 11 AM to get home so Joel could play some pickleball.
Back Home
Once home, with the kids at daycare, I bought so many groceries for our work’s cookie exchange the next day. I ended up making 4 different cookie varieties, but they all tasted great, even if they weren’t the prettiest. It was busy work week with only four days to get everything done before my two weeks off.
The kids had a blast with Grandma and Grandpa!
Somehow Joel’s parents got the kids to sleep in to almost normal times each morning! They went to the Minisota Play Cafe, visited Great Grandma, and played lots and lots!
Looking forward to Christmas this week!!!