McCloud.

When Josh and I got married last year (there's pictures here, here, here, here and here), we didn't plan a honeymoon.

We were just at a point in our lives where we were already out of town so much with our jobs that a honeymoon just didn't sound all that great.

So the grandparents divied out all the grandkids so we could stay one night at the hotel in Ashland where we got married.  We just needed to be home by 2:30pm the next day to pick up the kids from school.

Josh changed his mind at the last minute though and decided we needed to go somewhere.

He had no idea where though.

In fact, the morning after our wedding, we still didn't know where we were going.

We stopped by Jill and Jason's hotel room (my best friend in the whole-wide-world and my best friend in the whole-wide-world's husband) to say goodbye before they checked out.  They had internet access so we ended up surfing the net in their room trying to figure out where to go.

We settled on McCloud, California (just a few hours away).

McCloud is a tiny little town (pop. 1344) in Northern, California but Josh remembered that his Dad spent a summer there when he was a kid helping Josh's grandpa tear down the old theatre in town.

He'd also heard they had a dinner train out there.

So we headed out for McCloud, making some phone calls on the way.

Josh called the Shasta Sunset Dinner Train to see if we could get a spot on the train that night (yes) and asked if they had any hotel recommendations.

They recommended a place called the Mercantile so Josh gave them a call and as luck would have it, they had a room available for us too.

So we got into town and checked out the old Mercantile.

Turns out that Josh's grandpa used to pay Josh's dad for working on the theatre with vouchers to use at the Mercantile but he always wrote 'no cigarettes' on the bottom of the voucher so Josh's dad couldn't spend the money on cigarettes.

And then we checked into our room (The Founder's Room).

It was the coolest room I've ever stayed in.  (That's Josh taking a nap.)

As soon as we got there, I told Josh we should come back on our anniversary each year to stay in a different room (each room is totally different).

And then we walked around town. (Kind of a lousy shot but there's something about it that I like.)

And then we headed over to the dinner train.

Just in case you ever decide to take the Shasta Sunset Dinner Train...the food isn't all that great (but it was fun).

They even sprinkled confetti all over our table because Josh told them it was our honeymoon.

And then we woke up the next morning and had breakfast at the Mercantile Diner.

And then we went to the Mcloud museum where we found this...

That's the old theatre Josh's dad helped to tear down when he was a kid.

So a couple of weeks ago, I heard about an Adobe Lightroom 2 class that Scott Kelby was teaching in Portland, OR and decided that I had to go (since that program is still kicking my butt).

So I called Josh and said, "I know we're really busy with moving but I'm thinking about driving up to Portland on May 22nd to go to this class that I'm drying to take."

To which Josh replied, "Don't we have something going on already on May 22nd?"

I said "Nope, I just checked the calendar...there's nothing going on."

And he said, "Are you sure?"

And I said "I think so."

Turns out that May 22nd is our anniversary (dang).

And Josh had made plans to go to McCloud, California so we could stay in a different room at the Mercantile.

So we're heading out in the morning and I'm really excited.

Busy weekend though (going to McCloud, then going to the beach, then moving stuff over to the new, old house).

Back on Tuesday.

Have a great weekend.

Comments

[Kathy C.]

It's a good thing Mr. Downs remembers YOUR anniversary! What a guy! Happy 1st anniversary on Friday...enjoy McCloud!

~ Kathy ;-)

[Jessica]

Happy 1st Anniversary Josh & Karen!

[gina]

Happy Anniversary!! Hope you have a fun, busy weekend!!

[Linda]

Can I just tell you, you're the luckiest girl in the world.

[eh]

awww. you have such a sweet hubby. Happy Anniversary.

[Dina]

Happy anniversary, Karen and Josh!

[anne]

he's such a little peanut.

have a blast!

:)

[jen]

happy anniversary ... enjoy it! looks like a lovely place to spend time together.

[Jen]

It's a good thing I'm alone right now because I just snorted when I read the part about forgetting your anniversary! That is SO something I would do! Congrats on your first year and have a wonderful time (kudos to Josh for remembering to make such thoughtful plans!).

[Mindy M.]

Happy Anniversary, you guys!

[Val]

Happy Anniversary!!

[Heather Dietz]

Happy Anniversary!!! Enjoy McCloud, looks like fun!

[Joanna]

Hahahahahahaha! Totally laughing at Josh remembering the date. Have fun!

[Louise Murr]

What a cool story. I just love reading your blog and your stories and about your family and life. You just tell it like it is and it is so fun to read about someone else with all the joys, blessings and difficult times that comes along in life. You share it all and it just somehow brings comfort to my own life to be reminded how "real" it all is. I have laughed and cried and shared your stories and pictures with others and I hope they continue.
Happy Anniversary and have a fun safe trip.
Louise

[Lorraine]

Happy Anniversary! Enjoy your together time!

[Helena]

Hey, my dad was born there. Cool!

[Annie]

Have a great time! Happy Anniversary!

[Andrea Devisser]

I hear ya Karen, Lightroom is SO kicking' my butt too.. arghh.
Have a fantastic getaway!

[Nancy Wyatt]

How sweet! Have fun! Happy Anniversary!

[MichelleJ]

Oh how cool! My (17th) anniversary is on the 23rd. My Dh usually remembers but we had essentially the same conversation yesterday where he was certain nothing was going on.

[Samantha]

Yours is such a great love story! Thanks for sharing.

[Teresa]

Happy 1st Anniversary. May God bless you with at least 50 more!
Thanks for sharing you life ... we celebrate your joy with you!

[Ashley]

My aunt (and Godmother) lives near there... I think I have to go check it out whenver i get to that part of the world! Have a great weekend.
Ashley

[Martha]

I have never seen pictures of your wedding, how beautiful. You make a gorgeous bride! I had tears in my eyes reading your captions. What a wonderful idea to go back for your anniversary!
Congrats Karen have a wonderful weekend!

[Sherry Williams]

this may sound silly, but i need to say it. i always feel like i'm reading a really good book when i read your stories here. something about the way you write, the words you choose, the heart and soul behind your voice. the realness in your stories about your family. the quirks and dramas...the joys and daily happenings. i always--ALWAYS leave your blog touched in some way. sharing your stories and pictures and thoughts on your life...sometimes i can relate to something, others i feel i learn a new perspective, and sometimes you inspire me to look at my life a little closer...to remember to be thankful for my family adventures, to laugh more with my kids, enjoy the extra moments with my husband (hes active duty in the army so is gone or deployed a lot)to take extra photos of our puppies...I dont think i am expressing what it is exactly i feel, but i just know i love that you take the time to share bits of your life on this blog and i am grateful for that. :)
sherry in md