French Lick Resort

Earlier in the year, Andrew and I had decided we weren't going to take a family vacation.  We had to purchase new windows due to a homeowner's insurance inspection, and then we agreed to help Thomas by paying for his new engine that he needed this spring.  Either expenditure would've been more than we would spend on a vacation, let along both of them occurring in the same year.  On top of that, Andrew was taking his 50th birthday trip with his high school friends to Montana.  I had decided we would just take a bunch of overnight trips and enjoy a day here and there.  However, as the summer began, I realized I was really sad that I wasn't taking a trip.  I had always wanted to visit this resort in Indiana.  I love vacations where we can park when we arrive and not have to leave again.  The best part (as far as I was concerned)?  It was less than a four hour drive.  Andrew would tell you the best part was that we could bring Abby.  I had planned to stay two nights, but Andrew convinced me we should stay a third night...and I'm so, so glad we did!

When we arrived we literally parked the car and didn't see it again until Wednesday.  The place was enormous, and absolutely gorgeous.  Dinner our first night was at this amazing steak restaurant right down the hall from our room.  The waitress chuckled when we ordered chocolate martinis as our dessert, but that was exactly what we wanted.  We spent the evening walking around locating things throughout the hotel and walked to the casino.  We were fish out of water there!

Monday morning we got up and had the buffet that was really good.  We then decided to go back to the room and take a nap, because that is what vacation is about!  After a couple of hours we headed to the adult pool and the poolside bar where we spent another couple of hours until it was time to catch the shuttle to dinner at a golf course.  To be honest, it wasn't the greatest meal.  We decided to spend the evening at the Casino, where we laughed a lot because we didn't have a clue what we were doing!  We ended up spending about $12 there, but then we realized the Reds were on the giant screen and decided to have a drink and watch some of the game, then we headed back to the room and ordered a bottle of wine from room service.

Tuesday morning we started with coffee, then we took the shuttle over to the other hotel named the West Badin.  It was just as amazing as the French Lick hotel but very different architecture.  We had a lovely lunch in the atrium and walked the grounds.  The gardens at West Badin were really beautiful.  We took the shuttle back to our hotel, and decided it was nap time again!  We didn't have specific dinner plans, but we decided we'd grab something small, then head to the casino.  We really didn't plan to gamble, but our plan was to have some drinks and watch the Reds game again.  Unfortunately, it ended up being postponed, so we went back to the room and ordered another bottle of wine from room service.

It was a perfect little trip with just the right amount of time.  I felt relaxed, and I appreciated that the kids were at home to handle the cats.  While we splurged on meals and desserts and drinks, I was grateful that we didn't spend a lot on gas, and since we were able to go Sunday-Wednesday, the lodging wasn't overly expensive.  I'm so, so grateful that we took a few days to get away, just the two of us (and Abby too)!  And I'm also very grateful that we already made reservations for an ocean vacation next year!