My In-Laws are Cooler Than Us

I don't normally highlight places outside of the city but JO's parents introduced us to two places that were too good to pass up.

JO's parents are really loving retirement and getting the most out of it.  We often joke about how we have to try to outdo them with our trips and adventures.  Last weekend they wanted to show us some of their favorite spots and we happily obliged.

The first spot was one they had been raving about for a while now.  The Coachmen's Lodge is in Bellingham and has one of the most beautiful outdoor areas I have ever seen.  The Lodge does weddings in their backyard so of course it's beautifully manicured but what I couldn't get over was the detail on the other parts of the patio.  When you enter the outdoor space you first enter the outdoor bar.  It a large, rectangular bar with a wooden roof, with heigh ceilings and ceiling fans.  It reminds me of something you would see on the Cape.  There are lots of wrought iron tables around the bar area.  The restaurant opens onto a wrap around porch with tables overlooking the manicured lawns and pond.  The atmosphere is really festive and carefree.  We enjoyed catching up with each other over drinks and steamers.  I love steamers and it definitely like summer eating them at this beautiful patio.  I have to say, if I lived near this place I would go here every day.  I can completely understand why JO's parents like it so much.

After the Coachmen's Lodge, JO's parents drove us to one of their favorite summer places, Bristol, Rhode Island.  I've never been here before and I really loved it.  It's a small town right on the water and has the feel of the Cape crossed with Newport.  His parents really wanted to take us to Agave and we were able to get seats on the patio overlooking the bay.  I know this made JO's mom really happy because I think she loves outdoor dining just as much as me.  The views were delightful and the food and atmosphere was quite good.

After dinner we walked along the boardwalk and his parents pointed out even more cool places that they have been.  I really hope that JO and I are able to have as much fun as they do when we are retired.

The whole day just felt like summer and it made me feel great to be having so much fun with such great people!