Off to the Races

This past weekend, we had a couples mini-vaca weekend in Hot Springs with the Peregoys. We were all excited for a kid-free weekend of fun...especially after all of the snow days we have had lately.

Speaking of snow, we almost didn't get to go on this trip because of it! My Mom, who kept the kids, came in 3 days earlier than planned so she could get here before the snow and ice. And Jennifer's mom barely got back from her work trip to Little Rock before everything hit. We are all so glad that it worked out to go, because we had a really good time!

We left on Friday around 1p. We were worried about snow and ice but the drive wasn't too bad until we hit Little Rock and traffic was stopped for miles! We got off the interstate and took backroads to get us around the traffic. Some of those roads weren't as clear and we saw some fishtailing, slipping and sliding. But we made it safely.

We rented a 2 bedroom/2 bath condo on Lake Hamilton, which was about 15 minutes from downtown Hot Springs. Both rooms had king beds, which was important to us. Plus we liked that it had a living room area for us to hang out in, play games, etc. If it was warmer, we even talked about renting a boat, since it came with a slip, but of course the weather thwarted that idea. It was perfect for our needs and was very economical, too. The couple that owns this unit recently bought another one in the same complex right on the water where we'd like to stay on our next visit.

Because our drive in took a little longer than expected, we dropped our bags and headed straight for our dinner reservations at 6:30p. I got dining recommendations from friends and Rolando's did not disappoint! It was a Mexican, fusion style restaurant and the upstairs (where we sat) was speak-easy themed. All the servers were dressed in their 40's attire to go with the historic feel of Hot Springs. The food was yummy...especially the flaming cheese dip. The historic Arlington Hotel was right across the street, so we popped inside for a few quick pics before heading back to the condo. We stayed up talking for a little while before calling it a night.

In the Arlington lobby.

Saturday, we took our time getting moving. We went into town to the Pancake Shop for a late brunch. The food, especially the banana pancakes, did not disappoint. We headed to Oaklawn for the horse races after breakfast. It was Russ and my first time at a horse track and we were excited. Jennifer grew up going to the track with her parents and her cousin actually had a box that we were able to use. It was right at the finish line and in front of the scoreboard/wager board, which was amazing! We are most definitely spoiled now! It is free to get in the track, but you have to pay for seats inside. I was amazed at how many people were there! It ended up being a gorgeously sunny day in the mid-50s so that could have been why.

Jennifer and I from the box.

View from the box.

Taking a break from figuring out bets to pose for a pic. 

Horses and jockeys coming out of the shoot for warm up.

Race 1! They're off!!

Winner, winner chicken dinner!

The rest of the field coming in...

We ventured outside for the start of Race 3.

The start of Race 3 from across the track.

Coming around Turn 4. And check out all the people!!

There were 9 race that ran and we bet on all of them. Neither Russ or I are big gamblers, but with $2 buy-in's, we were able to play all day and not feel too bad about it. We were major novices, but we mostly bet trifecta's and super tri's but when that wasn't working out for us so well, we started picking horses to win/place/show. We did better with that and recouped our loses to a mere $38 by the end of the day. Not bad for a full afternoon of entertainment! We had a great time and can't wait to go back.

Starting closer for a 6 Furlong Race

Crossing the finish line the first time...they had to go around again...

Winner!

Love these dear friends! :)

We went down to see the horses saddling up. Those jockeys are TINY!

Last one heading out to the track...

A whole lot of losing tickets... :)

For dinner, we went to Deluca's for pizza. I thought it was just ok, but everyone else thought it was good. The service, however, was awful, so I am not sure that we would recommend it. We stopped for dessert of chocolate and fudge at a place on the square before headed back to the condo. We roped Jennifer and Jarmon into playing Settlers of Catan with us. It is totally a nerd game, but Russ and I are obsessed! We played 1 game and got over half way through the 2nd one before calling it a night...it was 1:15a and we had to Spring Forward, so it was really 2:15a!

Late night Settlers fun!

We got up Sunday (too early after staying up too late the night before!), packed up, hit Starbucks and headed back to reality and the kiddos. It was a super fun and easy trip. We can't wait to do it again!! :)

Oh and while we were away. Tyler went to a Jaxson's birthday party at SkyZone. Sweet Stephanie picked up Tyler and took him since there was still ice on the road and my Mom didn't want to drive in it. Tyler had a great time...the photos of him jumping were too blurry to send Stephanie said! :)

Riding with Wesleigh to the party!

Tyler and the birthday boy!

Tyler enjoying his pizza. Apparently all the boys sat down at the table
after jumping and started chanting "Pizza! Pizza!" Ha!