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My husband and I will be celebrating our FIRST wedding anniversary on March 24th...

We have a four day weekend scheduled off from work--Friday the 21st thru Monday the 24th....

We are at a loss as to just how and where to spend our anniversary... <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

I need some input here.... (HELP!!!) <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/eek.gif" alt="" />

We live in western Colorado..... Have thought about going back to Durango--where we were married.... but unsure... and finances are a little tighter....

For a tight budget, how about a road trip and camping? I would think there are great places in Colorado or maybe Utah, Arizona or New Meixco? With it being a holiday weekend, the popular parks are probably already booked, but lesser known campsites can be hidden gems.

If you're working within a fairly tight budget, stay home, but plan something special, just not extravagant, for each day.
Day 1 - Go for a walk in the a.m. have a nap in the afternoon, dinner somewhere nice in the evening. Candles when you get home.

Day 2 - One of you makes dinner for the other, something a little more intense than you're average Wednesday night dinner. Clean up together, watch a movie, hit the sack.

Day 3 - Take a hike. Weather must be beautiful this time of year like SF said. Enjoy the outdoors, order take out when you get home, have a hot bath and give each other a massage.

Day 4 - Other person makes a special dinner... maybe another movie, maybe some board games.

I know it doesn't sound like loads of thrills and excitement, but you may enjoy it all the same...

I don't think 32 degree weather and snow/rain make for too good a road/camp trip...brrrrr! Hidden gems?- Yep- right now they are all hidden by snowdrifts!!! But We do have that planned for the summer...

We are not SO financially tight that we can't afford a (decent) cheap hotel... I have no problem with Motel 6 !!!

I am just kinda at a loss for how to create an easy-going but romantic time for us... He is not too very "romantically" inclined, I don't think! LOL! We have differing views on "fun" and "interesting" things to do--that are appropriate for an anniversary celebration...I'd like more "honeymoon-like" activites...massages, champagne by the fire, relaxing CD's, candle-lit evenings..... you know-- the "romance novel/fairy tale " kind of thing ! LOL! I just dunno which way to go...everything I suggest he says, "whatever", "I don't care"... maybe he really DOESN"T care???

Nah... MIL is coming to our house to dog sit and keep an eye on our 14 YO daughter while we have time away. (at least I hope she is!!! H- said she DID offer!)

Also- I just made reservations at the Super 8 for 3 nights... not too bad a price, in Durango-that's where we got married, but were only able to spend one night in town at the time. I just need to figure some plans that we can use during those 3 days & nights...ok- my ideal W/E would be us cuddling in bed 90% of the time, making love and cozy-ing up in a hot tub some, eat a candle lit dinner (served by room service!)then make love some more!....but ALAS! i'm certain that HE would prefer to get out and check out some "cultural" or "arts" events, etc. (not my cup of tea--especially for an anniversary weekend, anyway... <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />

Do you want to trade husbands?! LOL! Just kidding. I'm going to watch hubby play softball now, so I will think about some ideas for you while I'm sitting in the stands.

Do you want to trade husbands?! LOL! Just kidding. I'm going to watch hubby play softball now, so I will think about some ideas for you while I'm sitting in the stands.


ROTFLMAO!!! Nah...I don't think so.....
but re-programming has crossed my mind! and so has "re-booting"!LOL! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Well when I think Colorado, I think skiing or snowboarding, but I'm guessing that is not what you want to do for your anniversary weekend. So here are my alternative suggestions:

Snowshoeing/Cross country skiing/Horseback riding to a nice spot with a view for a picnic

Winter train

Hot springs

Strolling around downtown shopping and having coffee/relaxing lunch

Put together a list of restaurants you want to try ... you can get suggestions from a website like chowhound.com or tripadvisor.com. I like to read and work the crossword on vacation, so if you and your husband like that, find a cozy coffeehouse or have lunch at a nice hotel w/ a fireplace in the lobby you can hang out at.

Does any of that sound like it would appeal to you both?

Ha! Hopefully you guys can find a balance between the 2. I'll be rooting for you! No matter what, make sure you enjoy the time together....

No physical sports/etc...he just had surgery on his arm (elbow) to remove plate & screws from radial head used to hold bones 2gether to heal from OJI last July...

the rest sounds pretty good- but also alot like what we always do... I dunno. Given recent "events"- or lack thereof, and conflicts due to said..... I'm worried.... <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Ooh, elbow surgery, ouchie!

I'm sure no matter what you end up doing, it will be nice to get away and spend time together. Are you worried that you'll get bored? Sorry, I'm not familiar with your recent events so if that's a dumb question, I apologize.

Are there things that you both like to do, but don't have time during your regular lives because of kids, etc.? Like going to a movie or a play or going out dancing or karoke singing?

It's good to have a list of places to go and activities to do, but take it easy and just play it by ear so that the weekend will be relaxing. When my husband and I travel we usually only end up doing two things a day because we like to sleep in, get a leisurely brunch, then do something from the list, then figure out where to eat dinner, then maybe have an evening activity (movie/play/concert), then it's beddy-bye time! Sometimes the afternoon activity is a nap!

RE: Snugglefresh:
I would love to go out dancing! --kareoke is fun, too, My DH will not do either! too self conscientious, maybe? I did get him to dance with me one time- at his company xmas party last year, but only after he'd drank about a half dozen Crown Royal and Cokes!

<img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/eek.gif" alt="" />

Sleeping in is good, brunch... we like to go sight-seeing, especially natural stuff, hiking sometimes... just a ride in the "country" so to speak... walk about town & window shop, check out art galleries & museums.... HE grew up in a big city, with all the arts and "cultural" events... I grew up VERY small southern town .... so our preferences and experiences are greatly varied! But many we do agree on, fortunately. I really want to plan something- a day, or an evening- to be really special---ROMANTICALLY, but I don't wanna "over-do" it? He's not really into lacey lingerie, etc.... His POV is : 'why waste money on something you're just gonna take off right away?' <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />

I have tried asking him what his preferences are- and he just says it don't matter, or whatever you do is good... <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" /> See, I know how I want to be treated, how I want things to go... but I DON"T know what to do or how to set things up for HIM to have the ultimate experience! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> If you know what I mean!!! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Anyhoo- thanks for any and all suggestions!and the support.

I'd really like some MALE input- what would you GUYS like for your wife/SO to do that would make your night/day/ anniversary totally amazing???? <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Ok, I went and got my husband's male POV ... LOL! He said the only thing that would be really special to him is if I said something or wrote something to him, especially if it made him see the relationship in a new light. Otherwise all he would care about is that we are together and it wouldn't matter where or what we did.

He said all the other stuff didn't matter much to him because he sees it as just what "hollywood" tries to sell you as love, but it is not really love, just symbols.

So maybe just a heartfelt card/letter (I always find these harder to write than it sounds)? The rest is gravy. But I would be really interested to see what other men say as well, so I hope some jump in here <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />!

So do I !!!!

I asked my H- he gave me a little reply of:
"I'll have to think about that and get back to you" LOL!!!

Come on guys!!!! I need input here!!!!

You might be overthinking this. What is your H's #1 EN? If it's SF, do something exotic. If something else, work on that.

My idea of a great anniv would be to spend a weekend ALONE together and have each of us fulfill the other's EN.

You may be right, on that point... I DO tend to over analyze things sometime... I am just VERY intense in learning ALL the why's and how's of things... Maybe that's why I am in the medical field?

Anyway-- no, SF is not HIS #1 EN... but it IS mine....
He's "happy to just be with me, no matter what we're doing"...

Maybe I'm trying too hard????? <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />

I DO appreciate all responses...and you seem to have a pretty good POV on most subjects Mr GW.....

I did think of one other thing. Can you remember what you were doing when he was happiest? A place? Does he ever say things like, "When we have more time I'd like to ...?"

When we went to Durango, in March of'06, we rode the train for the 1st time- when we had just started dating...and then the day we got married-- in Durango-- and rode the train for the 2nd time...

and, no.... I can't honestly recall him saying he'd like to spend more time doing anything in particular, really... <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />
my bad...?..... (for not remembering)

Well, do you remember if he SEEMED really happy during some activity? I guess if he says it doesn't matter, maybe it doesn't. Perhaps he is looking forward to spending time with you away from whatever stress he is experiencing right now. (Might be a good time to hide his cell phone <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />)

Some people are not big planners, maybe he is one. Just wants to see where it leads.

Also - Off topic.

I am going to Colorado Springs in late July. I'm trying to get DW to go with me. I have no idea if CS is in western CO or not, but I figure you have a better idea than I do. Likely this will be our only trip to CO. Any ideas on what we should see or do in Colorado Springs?

Colorado Springs is in the south central region... You can "google" the city... or look at a general map of the state, and see what lies nearby.... CS is about 5 hours and 315 miles East and just a tiny bit south of me. I'm dang near the border of Co & Utah, straight off I-70. Not being a Co native, and not knowing much about the state out of my area, I'm probably not much help here.. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> Sorry!
But, do try some online searches- you'd be suprised with what you can come up with!

As for our anniversary... we decided that we are going back down to Durango, and stay... no other plans made yet- just kinda gonna see how it all falls together... although, I do have some evening plans thought up... <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> He said all that REALLY mattered was US spending time TOGETHER!!! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

4Better, I think you two will have a great anniversary together! My husband says the same thing. We've been on many trips where it is just the two of us and it is really relaxing to just "play it by ear" ... we have tons of great memories from these unplanned trips. Even when things go wrong ... we have a couple funny stories about getting lost ... these times have made us feel closer and more like a team.

Hey 4Better! Just wanted to check and see what you ended up doing for your anniversary weekend. Hope you made some wonderful memories

Oh, Yes...we did have a great weekend... We made no specific plans...just our reservations at the hotel... played it from ear the rest of the time...nice dinners, a little fun at the casino-- soaking in the hot springs pool....romantic dinner out, some shopping- and really great SF!!!! whoo-hoo!!! finally got to wear the sexy red nightie I'd bought for him for CHRISTMAS!!! (had tucked it down inside a stocking at Christmas and topped it off with a small bottle of his favorite liquor!!!) We had a good time, relaxed, unhurried- unplanned- no schedules- no phones, no kids, no work...too bad it all had to end and it was back to work for us both this morning!!!

Oooh, sounds like a WONDERFUL weekend! Cute stocking idea by the way ... I might borrow that for the next Christmas