A Surprising Find in Rockford, Illinois

It was Labor Day, and surprisingly, we had no plans as a family. Whoo Hoo! Time for a road trip. My goal was to visit a town less than two hours away, so we could come and go in one day. And so we did - to Rockford, Illinois.

The funny thing is, it's not a place one would first consider for a day out. But upon examining the GoRockford website, there were quite a few things to do and see. Unfortunately, since it was a holiday, nothing was open. Except of course, the Nicholas Conservatory's outdoor gardens. Ha! We took advantage and enjoyed the landscape and a bit of the riverwalk dotted with modern art.

But first, we (I) found a well-loved coffee shop, Meg's Daily Grind, to gather with a great cuppa before we ventured forth. My double expresso (with my homemade coconut milk and coconut sugar) was excellent!

We arrived at the Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens soon after, and wandered through the lovely garden area. Doesn't the statue above look real?? Enjoy the gardens with us in the slideshow below:

We certainly wandered through the gardens, but we were definitely not lost!

And in our wanderings down Main St., we found this stellar restaurant - The Irish Rose Saloon. Obviously, we did not go there to drink, but we did find a delicious menu full of fresh offerings, made to order. The best part? The fish and seafood dishes were $5 off that day! So, we enjoyed a tasty meal and good conversation.

What a memorable time! Such a simple trip, but well worth the effort. Next week, I take a trip of a different kind to Greenville, SC. I'll be signing books at the Stompin' Grounds Coffee House in Greer. If  you know anyone who lives in the Greenville area, send them over!

---

Where do you go for a quick get-away in your area?? Let me know in the comments below. . .