Showing posts with label Anniversary. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Anniversary. Show all posts

Sunday, September 20, 2020

Our Stay At Snowpine Lodge

Hello everyone!
Last weekend Erik and I finally broke quarantine...
We have been SO good for the last several months.
We haven't seen family or friends and have only gone to work, home, or the grocery store.
We decided it was time to finally stretch our limits a little bit in honor of our anniversary.
Each year we usually take a trip for our anniversary.
This year was supposed to be Hawaii...
Obviously, that wasn't happening so, we decided to do a staycation instead.
Last year I had the amazing opportunity to go review the Snowpine Lodge.
I have wanted to go back with Erik ever since and we decided now was the perfect time.


The drive up was absolutely breathtaking.
The Snowpine is located in Little Cottonwood Canyon which has started to make its slow transition into fall.
Pops of red, orange, and yellow lined the road the entire drive up.
When we arrived we checked in (with masks of course!) and immediately went to our room.


The rooms are very minimalistic.
Decorated in a neutral color scheme with wood furniture for added warmth.


A wood barn door seperated our room from the bathroom complete with a walk in shower.


Acrooss from the bed hung a large TV with an entertainment center and chair for lounging close by.


There was also a nook for extra storage space.


The best part of the room though, was the view.


Our sliding glass door opened out onto a shared balcony with seating areas and fire pits.


After exploring our room and getting settled in it was time for dinner.
Their onsite restaurant Swen's was closed for the season due to COVID...
But the Gulch Bar was open and offered select menu items.
We each ordered a Snowpine Burger and chose a spot on the patio to enjoy our meal.


The burgers were delicious.
Large, flavorful, and oh so juicy.


They were so good we decided we needed to try dessert as well.
We got a chocolate chip cookie skillet to split.
It was equally as delicious.
We agreed we would make the drive back up just for the food alone.


After dinner, we put on our masks and explored the hotel.
Each floor has a beautifully decorated common room where you can gather around a fire to watch TV or play games.


The hotel is nestled in between two mountain ranges so there are no bad views.
Even walking down the hall to the rooms you got to see the gorgeous mountains.


Once we had finished exploring we took a quick peek at the outdoor pool to see if anyone was there.
It was empty so we decided to claim it.


We quickly changed into our suits and made our way down.


The pool is heated which made it perfect for a September evening swim.
We enjoyed swimming back and forth under the stars then made our way to the hot tubs.
That's right tubs, plural.


The hot tubs are settled underneath a nearby awning bordering a seating area and a large fireplace.


We talked the night away in the hot tub enjoying the fresh mountain air and the sound of the crackling fire.
It was perfect.


The rest of the evening we spent eating snacks in bed and rewatching Stranger Things.
It was a much-needed break from this year.


I am so happy that we decided to take a day to celebrate each other even though it has been an unconvetional year.
How have you been holding up during 2020?


All my love,
Autumn

Monday, October 7, 2019

Trying Black Taps Famous Crazy Shakes

Hello everyone!
While Erik and I were in California we made a stop at Black Tap Craft Burgers and Shakes.
They opened earlier this year in Downtown Disney and I was dying to try one of their famed Crazy Shakes.
Erik was even more excited!
During the countdown to our trip, I would say "9 days to Disneyland!"
His response was always "You mean 9 days to crazy shakes..."
Since we were both SO excited we made it our first meal and it did not disappoint. 



To enter the resteraunt you wait in line to place your order at a counter.
To the left of the counter, you can watch the Crazy Shakes come to life!
Definitely watch one or two be made.
It is mesmerizing...
Once your order is placed your waiter seats you and your food follows soon after.
Erik and I were lucky enough to score a table on the outdoor patio.


Erik ordered the Cake Shake.
 A cake batter shake with a vanilla frosted rim with rainbow sprinkles topped with a Funfetti cake slice, whipped cream, rainbow sprinkles and a cherry.
Yes. You read that right. The milkshake is topped with a slice of cake.
Did I mention they were crazy?


I ordered the Cookies 'N Cream Supreme.
An Oreo shake with a vanilla frosted rim with crushed Oreo topped with a cookies and cream ice cream sandwich, crumbled Oreo, whipped cream and chocolate drizzle.


We also split an order of fries with their special sauce on the side.
The special sauce reminded us of the Campfire Sauce served at Red Robin.
It's similar to fry sauce (for us Utah folk) but has a smokey flavor to it.


The shakes were delicious and so fun!
We each wanted to try our own shake so we decided to make them our dinner.
Erik and I have few regrets about our recent vacation but, not stopping at Black Tap a second time is the biggest...
The shakes were so tasty that we wanted to see how their food compared.
I have heard great things!


I would highly recommend making a stop here the next time you are in Disneyland. 
Just a fair warning the shakes run on the expensive side...
They range from $15 - $17.
Split one and thank me later!


Black Tap originated in New York and I am hoping I can convince Erik to take a trip there just by mentioning a shake trip.
Think it will work?


Have you been to Black Tap?
What did you think?


All my love,
Autumn

Monday, September 30, 2019

Halloween Time At Disneyland | We Went To The Oogie Boogie Bash | 26 For 26

Hello everyone!
Erik and I wanted to go to Disneyland for our anniversary this year for two reasons.
One, Halloween Time and two, Mickey's Halloween Party. 
In April, Disneyland announced they would no longer be doing Mickey's Halloween Party but would be switching over to Disney's California Adventure for the Oogie Boogie Bash.
We were game!
We bought tickets as soon as they were available and waited (not so) patiently for September. 
It was so much fun to see the parks decorated for the holidays. 
Disneyland is always decked to the nines for Halloween.
Giant jack o' lantern versions of Mickey and friends great you over the entrance.


The giant Mickey jack o' lantern on Main Street, the fall colored bunting hanging from the buildings, pumpkins everywhere, it's all perfection.






One of the most popular attractions is the Haunted Mansion that gets taken over by Jack Skellington and his gang for the holidays. 






Halloween Time is newer to California Adventure and it was so much fun to see it for the first time together.


The giant talking Oogie Boogie over the entrance gates really sets the tone.


The headless horseman is in the heart of Carthay Circle to welcome you.


Cars Land is decorated as Radiator Screams and the attention to detail is incredible!
















We attended the Oogie Boogie Bash on our last day at the parks.
The party was SO much fun!
They had a ton of villains out for you to meet along with some really obscure characters.


We got to see some great costumes. 
There were 10 trick or treat trails to walk and get heaps of candy from while coming face to face with villains.
The Frightfully Fun Parade moved over from Disneyland and showcases all characters in costume along with, you guessed it... more villains!
There was a new World of Color show exclusively for the party.
We walked through the immersive Villian's Grove.
But, my favorite part of the night was the reaction to our costumes.
The Halloween parties at the parks are one of the only times adults are allowed to come in costume.
Erik and I dressed up as Robin Hood and Maid Marian from Disney's Robin Hood.
Yes, we were foxes!
We had several people ask to take pictures with us, we received so many compliments and props for representing an underrepresented film and a few people couldn't help but stop and tell us how much the movie Robin Hood meant to them.
It was so interesting to hear people's stories about the way the movie influenced their lives.
An older woman told us how it was her eldest child's favorite movie and how they must have watched it 50 times a day. 
Another lady told us how she had a crush on Robin Hood as a girl and only recently had the courage to tell her sister and her sister admitted to having a crush on him too!
Also, the first villain we happened to spot in the park was Prince John himself!
Right next to him?
The Sherrif of Nottingham!
As soon as they spotted us they motioned for us to hop in line to meet them.
We couldn't resist the opportunity and snagged a few fun pictures.




We left with an insane amount of candy...
Good thing we drove!
It was definitely a night to remember.
I don't think I will ever be able to top trick or treating in Disneyland!
Who are you dressing up as this Halloween?


All my love, 
Autumn