Bon Voyage

We're leaving for Louisville, Kentucky bright and early tomorrow morning! It's an 8 1/2 hour drive from Madison and with our penchant for roadside attractions, it could be much longer!

We'll visit Churchill Downs, go on the Urban Bourbon Trail, explore Mammoth Cave, tour a bourbon distillery, learn how to make baseball bats at the Louisville Slugger factory, and drink mint juleps (the only way I like bourbon).

I'll be back on Wednesday - which is my birthday!

You can follow along on Instagram @bedknobsandbaubles.

{images via 1, 2, 3}

{ bon voyage } Washington D.C.

In just a couple of weeks, we're heading to the nation's capital. I've never been to Washington D.C. and I'm looking forward to spending a long weekend immersed in United States' history and admiring centuries-old architecture. We've booked our Capitol and White House tours, added stops to an extensive Google map and received great ideas in this post. What's your "must see" in D.C.?

{ images via 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6}

{ outfitted } a walk in the park

On Friday afternoon, we went to Governor Dodge State Park. I was lured with the promise of paddle boats and swimming. But when the beach proved to be too crowded, we opted for a walk through the state park - in entirely inappropriate hiking gear. I spent most of the walk looking at the ground to avoid stubbing a toe on wayward stones.

Contemplative? Intrigued? Confused?

Outfit Notes: Top - Banana Republic; Necklace - Forever21; Shorts - J.Crew; Bag - Foley + Corinna; Sandals - Sam Edelman

{ bon voyage } Duluth, Minn.

We thought Saturday morning would be the perfect time to drive to Pattison State Park to see Wisconsin's tallest waterfall and enjoy the warm, sunny weather. But road construction thwarted our plans. When we were two miles from the park, we came to a detour - a detour that took us on a forty minute drive away. By that time, we could see Duluth, Minn. on the horizon and continued our drive to the neighboring state. We only had about 45 minutes to spend in Duluth before we had to drive back to Ashland for "Class Reunion Part Two," but we made the most of it. We purchased Minnesota beer, saw the famous Lift Bridge (appropriately named because it rises to accommodate passing shipping boats) and walked along Lake Superior's shore.

{ bon voyage } Bayfield, Wis.

On Friday morning, I took Dave to Bayfield, Wis., a sleepy tourist town on the shore of Lake Superior. Bayfield's highlights include: calm water for sailing, berry patches and state parks. All of which we didn't do. Instead, we browsed gift shops, purchased fudge and stopped for a midday cocktail - where we met an extremely chatty local.

Outfit Notes: Shirt - Banana Republic; Shorts - Gap; Sunglasses - Ralph by Ralph Lauren; Earrings - Wendy Mink Jewelry; Bag - Foley + Corinna

{ bon voyage } High School Reunion

I'm heading to my hometown this weekend for my 10-year high school reunion. I'm expecting flashbacks of awkward school dances, gym classes and fish dissections (we didn't do frogs). Should be interesting.

In the meantime, enter to win a pair of Jeffrey Campbell oxfords. It's open to everyone - including international readers!

Bon voyage!

Road Trippin'

As if Fort Lauderdale wasn't enough of a vacation, we're setting off again. This time we're northbound to central Wisconsin for a few days at D's parents' cabin. Time away with my sweetheart? Ice cream cocktails at supper clubs? Plenty of s'mores? Yes. Yes. Yes!

Fort Lauderdale Recap, Part Four

Just a few more Fort Lauderdale memories until I'm officially back to reality - just in time for a short staycation later this week. You can never have too much time off to unwind, right?

Fort Lauderdale Recap, Part Three

Topping my itinerary was an airboat tour on the Everglades - mostly because I was intent on coming face-to-face with an alligator. We were the last visitors of the day at Everglades Holiday Park and unexpectedly enjoyed a private tour on the wetlands. The best part? We were attacked by an alligator. Seriously. One of the gators we spotted in the distance submerged himself to swim closer, coming up to the surface periodically before ramming his body against the boat. As it turns out, alligators are normally passive, but it was mating season and there must have been a desirable female nearby.