After breakfast we walked around and stopped in some of the little shops and wineries there in Amana, but soon it was time for us to head down the road. We made it to Clinton, IA around 2pm which gave us time to check in and get ready for the wedding. We met up with our good friends, Keith and Christy. Kevin and Keith go back to their college days at ISU and I have known them since the summer of 2006. Can’t believe how much our lives have changed in those few short years! They got married the March after we did and now have two CUTE little girls, whom we got to see this weekend also!
The wedding and reception were beautiful! The reception was held at the Eagle Point Park Lodge. It had an amazing view of the Mississippi River and as we were walking in, a bald eagle soared overhead! I highly recommend this park for family get togethers! It was beautiful!
The next morning (Sunday) Kevin and I had a few hours to waste. We had to make it from Clinton, IA to Anamosa, IA by 2pm. So we set out from our hotel around 10am and went in search of a place to eat breakfast. We drove down to the Riverfront District in Clinton and came across this little espresso place: Espresso, Cigars and More. It was one of those random stops where we drove by and decided to turn around and go back to check it out. There Kevin and I met a friendly Cuban lady named Regina. She explained how Cubans drank their coffee and that they didn’t really eat a large breakfast, just things like toast and pastries. We both decided to try some coffee and Kevin went for the tropical guava pastry and I had some toast. While Regina was making our coffee she poured us each a shot of espresso. She told us to drink it like you would a tequila shot. So we said “Salute” and drank it. It was sooooo good! Before we left there we each ended up with two more espresso shots (three total) on top of our cup of coffee (which was made with espresso and a little milk)!
The type of coffee that she uses is Bustelo. This is a picture of the ground up kind, but she buys it as coffee beans and grinds it herself. It was by far the best coffee that I have ever had! Hands down! So if you are ever in the Clinton, IA area, stop by and see Regina! The address is 2007 N. 2nd Street in Clinton, IA.
After that we headed north out of town on Highway 67 and about two miles down the road we came across a sign for Wide River Winery. So, we did what we normally do and we flipped around and drove up the hill to check it out. You just about need a 4-wheel drive car to get to it, but our Altima made it! It’s up on top of a hill overlooking the Mississippi River. When we got up there it was just starting to rain, but it was still very pretty up there with all the trees and and flowers.
We tried a few of their wines and bought a few to share with some friends and family back home. They were very nice there and their wine was great! They have won many awards and you could definitely tell when you tasted their wine that they took it seriously! I highly recommend the MS. D’MEANOR WHITE. It was my favorite while Kevin liked the FELONY RED the best. They came up with quite the names for their wines!
From there we had to head towards Anamosa. And then from there we headed home. We got to our house at 7:20pm last night and I still had to go get HD from his Aunt’s house in Omaha. So HD and I got home about 9:15. We got to play and read a few books before he went to bed and we were right behind him. It was a long, but fun weekend!
This morning I was thinking about how many hours I logged in the car last week. Between the 10 hours that HD and I were in the car going to and from Nebraska for work and the 10+ hours Kevin and I were in the car going to and from Clinton, IA, I spent almost a full day driving somewhere last week! CRAZY! I’m happy to note that we are staying home for most of the week this week, so that will be nice!
One more thing before I wrap this post up. While we are gone my sister was really good about texting us pictures of HD. She sent about 10 pictures, but I just wanted to share a few with you! Here he is picking flowers with Aunt Megan. She said he was thinking, “She loves me, she loves me not…”
And this is the Touchdown HD. I think he was cheering for the Huskers while this picture was taken!
I hope you all had a great weekend too! Did you do anything exciting? Or were you one of the lucky ones that got to stay home and do nothing?!? I miss those days! It seems like there is always something to do now-a-days!
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