Last week Hubs and I celebrated our 15th wedding anniversary, and he surprised me with a weekend getaway of such perfection that all future weekend getaways will surely develop inferiority complexes.
"We're going to a place called Aaron's Gate," he told me, "a few miles outside of Guthrie, Oklahoma."
(I am not a native Oklahoman. I had never heard of Guthrie. It's such an interesting and picturesque town that I'll have to wait and give it a post all its own, very soon.)
Hubs and I have stayed in some lovely places during our years together, but this place takes the cake. Photos, of course, won't do it justice, but I'll do my best.
We headed in the general direction of Guthrie, Oklahoma, turning off the interstate to drive on about ten miles of this:
(I love roads like that, don't you?)
When we had officially reached The Middle Of Nowhere, we pulled up to the front gates:
I know--charming, isn't it? Here's a close-up:
Once inside the gates, we wound through the woods:
...and we pulled up to our unassuming little cabin:
When we got out, we immediately noticed the quiet. No traffic, no people, no sounds at all--just the birds, the wind, and the crickets.
We opened the door to the cabin, and this is what we found:
(Behind this armoire was the giant television and DVD library. We watched a lot of movies, including the very excellent HBO series on John Adams. Because, you know, nothing says "romance" like a bunch of men in wigs and tights declaring their independence from the King of England):
A hot tub in the screened-in porch. My fingers are permanently pruned from all the soaking:
They left us our dinner and the next day's breakfast in the fridge. By this point, I was so smitten with the place that I half expected little mythical woodland creatures to show up and prepare the food for us:
("WHY ARE YOU TAKING PICTURES OF A CHICKEN LAMP?" Hubs asked at this point. Fair question.)
The weekend was perfect, and I have found my new favorite little spot. We agreed that if someone couldn't relax in this quaint spot, then they just couldn't relax.
Last picture, I promise, on our way back out of the gates as we left:
See? Perfect.
Oh wow. That looks like a dream. What a great husband you have. :)
Congratulations on 15 years. That's an accomplishment to be proud of.
Posted by: BlueCastle | Thursday, June 11, 2009 at 12:24 AM
How did your hubby ever find it? Wow! They really went to a lotta work on the inside. I enlarged the pictures and the table with the Eiffel Tower lamp is very interesting!! I loved that. And I loved the chicken lamp, oh, and the screen next to the armoire. Wow.
Happy Anniversary!
Carol
Posted by: Carol | Thursday, June 11, 2009 at 12:26 AM
That's so cool! I think that's the same place hubs and I were talking about staying sometime within the next year. Now I can't wait to go ourselves!
Posted by: Courtney @ Homemaker Hero | Thursday, June 11, 2009 at 12:32 AM
Way to go Mr. Rocks!!!
Posted by: missy @ it's almost naptime | Thursday, June 11, 2009 at 12:34 AM
Hey, I have that Paris canister! I have candy in mine. That place is just beautiful. It almost reminded me of the Shire. He did an excellent job.
Posted by: Dorci | Thursday, June 11, 2009 at 01:18 AM
... because what other lamp has feathers for a lampshade???
What a great place... I have relatives in OKC and will have to tell them about it... and maybe my hubs and I will try to go.
Thank you for sharing (and publicizing) this place!! It looks wonderful and it sounds/looks like you had an amazing weekend away. And congrats on 15 years!
Posted by: C D | Thursday, June 11, 2009 at 01:42 AM
Wow...what an amazing place. Was there just one little cabin or several? You would never think from looking at the outside that is would be that wonderful inside!
Happy 15th anniversay too!
Posted by: Pattie | Thursday, June 11, 2009 at 02:31 AM
How beautiful! Was that a fire place next to the bath? Amazing! My favorite part is the chicken lamp. :)
Happy 15th!
Posted by: Brandy T. | Thursday, June 11, 2009 at 04:04 AM
Happy Anniversary! We live in Edmond (about 20 min from Guthrie) and I didn't know this place was there.... MUST go check it out!
Posted by: Suzanne | Thursday, June 11, 2009 at 05:28 AM
thank you for sharing that with us ..that put a smile on my face.
Posted by: Gail B | Thursday, June 11, 2009 at 06:08 AM
PERFECT place, and love the sign at the end.
Congrats on 15 years :)
Posted by: JanMary, N Ireland | Thursday, June 11, 2009 at 06:22 AM
...and here is where I summon every ounce of Southern I've picked up in the last five years and say, "oh, how SUWEEEET!".
Seriously, that is just darling. So glad you got to enjoy it...and congratulations on fifteen years!
Posted by: Kelly | Thursday, June 11, 2009 at 06:40 AM
What a neat place!! I'm so glad you enjoyed your time there.
And, for the record, I think it's perfectly normal to take pictures of chicken lamps :)
Posted by: Tootie | Thursday, June 11, 2009 at 06:44 AM
Picking my jaw up from the keyboard.....
that place is amazing.....it is now officially penned onto my "Bucket List".
Thanks for sharing......and I wanted to tell you that I giggled out loud with the mythical woodland creatures reference.....
congrats again on 15 years.....sounds like you have a keeper!
Posted by: *~Michelle~* | Thursday, June 11, 2009 at 06:50 AM
Oh, my goodness, that is SO cute - I wish it was near us instead of near you! :) But I'm glad you had a good time! :)
Posted by: Carrie | Thursday, June 11, 2009 at 06:52 AM
ooo that place was so so so so cute!! Love all of the pictures and I now want to go stay there :-)
Posted by: Lindsay @ Bytes of Memory | Thursday, June 11, 2009 at 06:58 AM
Adorable. (And I like the chicken lamp!)
Posted by: Susan | Thursday, June 11, 2009 at 07:08 AM
Happy Anniversary! And yes, nothing says romance like men in wigs declaring independence from the King of England. My husband and I would have LOVED watching that. :) I'm serious. Looks like you had a nice rest.
Posted by: Rachel | Thursday, June 11, 2009 at 07:28 AM
I couldn't get passed THE BATHTUB! But the chicken lamp made up for it. Sounds SO wonderful!
Steph
Posted by: Adventures In Babywearing | Thursday, June 11, 2009 at 07:37 AM
First Happy Anniversary and Second, you took a picture of the chicken lamp because it was cute! LOL
Posted by: Aunt Murry | Thursday, June 11, 2009 at 07:37 AM
This is awesome! We're going to be moving to OK when our house sells--sounds like a good place to celebrate our anniversary this fall!
Posted by: Mrs. Sprinkles | Thursday, June 11, 2009 at 07:38 AM
Um, oh my gosh did I just use "passed" when I should have used "past" ? and you know what... I don't even know what the correct use is at this moment this morning! What has happened to my brain? Need to go to Guthrie!
Steph
Posted by: Adventures In Babywearing | Thursday, June 11, 2009 at 07:38 AM
WOW! What an amazingly charming place. What a wonderful way to celebrate an anniversary!
Posted by: MissCaron | Thursday, June 11, 2009 at 07:39 AM
I love finding places so unassuming that they surprise you with their existence.
Posted by: alison @ cluck and tweet | Thursday, June 11, 2009 at 07:45 AM
And now we're all wishing we lived in Oklahoma so it was just a short drive from us, too. OH, how I want to go there!
Posted by: Minnesotamom | Thursday, June 11, 2009 at 07:45 AM
Congratulations on 15 years with such a sweet man! We live in Edmond, and are familiar with Guthrie; I think my sister and her husband have stayed at that exact cottage.
Guthrie is such a surprise to come across in Oklahoma. The masonic temple is quite impressive. And there are so many cool old buildings (our favorite pictures of our girls are centered around dilapidated structures in Guthrie). Also, the town has a drive-in movie theater! So fun!
Ok, I will stop now - I promise I don't work for the Guthrie tourism board!
Posted by: Kristin | Thursday, June 11, 2009 at 07:49 AM
Beautiful! So glad you had time to reconnect with Hubs! The place looked fabulous! And I don't mind saying that I am a bit jealous. I would love to visit a place like that!
Posted by: rrmama | Thursday, June 11, 2009 at 07:57 AM
Oh, wow! Such a great husband! And, there is nothing wrong with watching John Adams. When it was on HBO, hubs and I would put the kids to bed and have our own date-night-at-home! We were hooked!
Happy Anniversary!
Posted by: RLR | Thursday, June 11, 2009 at 08:08 AM
What a wonderful spot! My husband and I also watched John Adams and thought is excellent. Glad you had a wonderful weekend.
Posted by: Kristen | Thursday, June 11, 2009 at 08:16 AM
I'd say Hubby did a good job!
That reminds me a little of the place we stayed at for our honeymoon... such perfection has yet to be met. But, we've only been married for almost 10 years - so there is hope for future weekends :)
Posted by: Blessed | Thursday, June 11, 2009 at 08:17 AM
Major props to Hubby. How wonderful that you were able to spend your anniversary together at such a charming place. It looks like a dream come true.
Posted by: Sarah K | Thursday, June 11, 2009 at 08:25 AM
That looks like just the kind of place my hubby and I need to get away. His job is very stressful and he is in major need of a weekend getaway.
Our 23rd anniversary is in July, maybe I can plan a special getaway for us like you had. Except we live in Ohio, so Oklahoma is bit far....lol!!
Posted by: Sally | Thursday, June 11, 2009 at 08:43 AM
What a cute place! And WAY TO GO to your husband!! (May my own husband learn to plan such adventures by our 15th anniversary. Amen.)
Posted by: Mary @ Giving Up on Perfect | Thursday, June 11, 2009 at 08:43 AM
That looks absolutely amazing!! What a fine hubs you have, Shannon. I'm glad you had such a nice getaway!
I'm dying to get my hands on that John Adams series, myself, lol...and it's not TOO far off the mark to be romantic; if you know anything about his own relationship with Abigail, then you know the home fires definitely burned brightly between them!
Posted by: Jenni | Thursday, June 11, 2009 at 08:44 AM
Oh, wow! The outside of that cabin definitely doesn't do it justice. I was all prepared for a snarky post, then spent the next 5 minutes with my mouth open as I drooled over the pictures. You are one lucky girl! Happy Anniversary!
Posted by: Camille | Thursday, June 11, 2009 at 08:47 AM
I may just have to visit those outskirts of Guthrie someday. I never would have guessed that simple cabin was hiding all those delightful things on the inside.
I LOVED the John Adams miniseries--now I want to read the book. Or maybe just watch it again.
Posted by: Holly | Thursday, June 11, 2009 at 08:48 AM
Our 14th is next month, and we finally got grandparents to agree to 2 nights of babysitting! Only our second time since kids to be alone! I can't wait!
Posted by: spiritmom | Thursday, June 11, 2009 at 08:55 AM
Wow. I never thought I'd say this, but suddenly I NEED to go to Oklahoma.
I love your blog!
Posted by: Pam | Thursday, June 11, 2009 at 08:56 AM
Ummmmm, is that not the cutest place ever? I think is. Oh how I wish I lived closer to Oklahoma!
Glad you had a nice anniversary weekend :)
Posted by: Jenn | Thursday, June 11, 2009 at 09:23 AM
Wow! I just told hubby about this. We happen to be in Oklahoma for the next 7 months and he just said, "So, when do you wanna go?" :D
YIPEE!
Posted by: Shannon | Thursday, June 11, 2009 at 09:37 AM
My middle son is getting married in OK City later this summer. I will tell him about this place -- looks lovely!
Posted by: Barbara H. | Thursday, June 11, 2009 at 10:00 AM
Love it! Cozy, quirky, and private...what more could lovebirds want?
Taking pictures of chicken lamps is what bloggers with cameras do.
Posted by: gretchen from lifenut | Thursday, June 11, 2009 at 10:10 AM
Wow, what a wonderful place. I love the iron scrollwork over the windows. I want to try that!
Blessings,
Lorilee
Posted by: Lorilee | Thursday, June 11, 2009 at 10:14 AM
This is GORGEOUS! Tell your husband he did a wonderful job. Now, if I can subtley drop some hints ;) haha
Posted by: Danielle | Thursday, June 11, 2009 at 10:22 AM
What a sweet getaway! I'm so very jealous!
Posted by: Amanda | Thursday, June 11, 2009 at 10:22 AM
Major swooning going on here. I do believe we need to book two tickets to OK before we hit a grandiose FIVE years two weeks from now. I'm not sure such a place even exists here in SoCal.
Posted by: Ashleigh (Heart and Home) | Thursday, June 11, 2009 at 10:35 AM
I'm pretty sure I'm going to need the address to that place.
I promise I'll put the pictures in a different order on the post I do ;D
Posted by: We are THAT family | Thursday, June 11, 2009 at 10:54 AM
I want to go there now. Right now. Lovely place. And John Adams is excellent. Read the book, you'll learn even more stuff you didn't know you were so interested in until you started reading. The actor who played Thomas Jefferson was fantastic, I thought.
Posted by: nicole | Thursday, June 11, 2009 at 11:12 AM
What a darling, romantic place! I wanna find a cute little place like that to go for our anniversary (we're just two years along, still newlyweds). I wonder if they have such here? I don't think I'm quite willing to fly all the way to OK for that... ;-) But if I'm ever driving through there, I just might have to stop by!
Posted by: Joelle | Thursday, June 11, 2009 at 11:27 AM
I want to go! What a beautiful and peaceful place. Can your husband please come talk to mine about romance? Thanks!
Posted by: Michelle | Thursday, June 11, 2009 at 11:28 AM
Arugh!
I'm calculating the distance from Saskatchewan, Canada to Oklahoma RIGHT NOW.
Posted by: Kendall | Thursday, June 11, 2009 at 11:39 AM
Awww...your hubby sets the bar VERY high for other hubbies...LOL!
Happy Anniversary!
Posted by: Mrs. Q | Thursday, June 11, 2009 at 12:11 PM
oh my goodness...your Hubs deserves an award! What an enchanting get-a-way. Congrats on 15!
Posted by: Missy | Thursday, June 11, 2009 at 12:25 PM
Happy fifteenth anniversary! It certainly looks like a wonderful way to celebrate =) I wouldn't mind if someone left delicious meals in my fridge, anyway...
Posted by: Sarah @ BecomingSarah.com | Thursday, June 11, 2009 at 01:06 PM
Wow, that looks like a really fantastic spot! What a wonderful gift. Congratulations on 15 years!
Posted by: The Rambling Ewe | Thursday, June 11, 2009 at 01:13 PM
Oh, Shannon. WOW! That place looks amazing.
I'm so happy for you - three kids into parenthood and I know how special and restful these kinds of weekend are. And, how rare. Thank you for sharing the pictures!
Posted by: Sarah @ Short Stop | Thursday, June 11, 2009 at 01:36 PM
Wow! What a dream. Makes me want to fly my husband and I there (even though we are in Canada!).
Posted by: Carmen | Thursday, June 11, 2009 at 01:55 PM
I think your hubby just ruined it for all the rest or our poor hubs! What a wonderful place.
Posted by: Dawn W | Thursday, June 11, 2009 at 02:07 PM
What lovely spot for a getaway. Congratulations on your anniversary!
Posted by: Mary ~ 4boys4me | Thursday, June 11, 2009 at 02:49 PM
WOW! What a wonderful retreat ~ your hubby gets serious kuddos for finding this gem.
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY! And many, many MORE...
Posted by: Mango Girl | Thursday, June 11, 2009 at 03:33 PM
That place looks gorgeous!! Thanks for sharing so many photos.
Posted by: Summer | Thursday, June 11, 2009 at 05:50 PM
Congratulations! Looks like a great place for a little getaway.
Posted by: Stephanie | Thursday, June 11, 2009 at 05:59 PM
precious! love the dining room area.
Guthrie OK, you are officially on The Map.
Posted by: Mrs Lemon | Thursday, June 11, 2009 at 06:11 PM
Good work Hubs!
That place looks just lovely.
Posted by: Heth | Thursday, June 11, 2009 at 06:36 PM
That is so perfect my husband might get lucky just from my looking at it. How awesome!
Posted by: Michelle Smiles | Thursday, June 11, 2009 at 07:48 PM
Wow, makes me wish I was married (to a guy like your husband).
Posted by: Amy Sue Nathan | Thursday, June 11, 2009 at 08:21 PM
So gorgeous!!! Abraham and I are spending our next anniversary in CA and I really want it to be special like this.
Posted by: Molly Piper | Thursday, June 11, 2009 at 09:14 PM
Awesome little place! Hubby and I are celebrating our 15th anniversary this year too...and somehow we planned a trip with kids and cousins, right over our anniversary...how did that happen!
Now to figure out how to get my husband to your blog...hmmm...
Posted by: BeckyA | Thursday, June 11, 2009 at 09:51 PM
Congratulations on your anniversary! Your little getaway looks like the cabins we stayed in when we got married 10 years ago (only ours was in Eureka Springs). I remember them delivering our food and the quiet, and then turning to my new husband & asking him if we could just live there! He may have been having some second thoughts about his new wife's domestic skills at that point, but it was truly a relaxing place.
Posted by: JenC | Thursday, June 11, 2009 at 10:36 PM
GOOD JOB MR. DRYER!! Setting the bar high for husbands everywhere. ;)
Seriously that place looks amazing. So glad y'all had a wonderful getaway like that. It's good to get away. :)
Posted by: Amber @ Classic Housewife | Thursday, June 11, 2009 at 11:08 PM
Wow. It's beautiful. I wish we had one of these gorgeous places in Wisconsin. :)
Happy Anniversary!
Posted by: Dana | Friday, June 12, 2009 at 07:13 AM
Wow...times have changed in Guthrie! 'Back in the day' they had nothing but red-clay dirt roads. What a wonderful retreat!
Posted by: Jenny 867-5309 | Friday, June 12, 2009 at 09:09 AM
How DIVINE!!! Kind of makes me want to escape to Oklahoma.....
Posted by: Michelle | Friday, June 12, 2009 at 01:12 PM
Oh you are so lucky. It looks like a piece of heaven. I'm sorry to say that my other half would never come up with something like this!
Posted by: Barbara | Friday, June 12, 2009 at 01:21 PM
That is awesome, I love it! Sounds like a perfect place to me!
Posted by: melissa @ the inspired room | Friday, June 12, 2009 at 01:48 PM
Now I have to google Guthrie, OK which is something I *never* imagined doing! Also, what is the name of this place? It looks just so..so..perfect in every way! I'd love to check out their website (if they have one).
So glad you had such a nice relaxing stay away from it all. You deserve it! Congrats on 15 years!
Posted by: Rebecca | Friday, June 12, 2009 at 02:33 PM
This place is totally awesome! All the cabins are just great..hubby and I have stayed at all but one and we love them. We try to go either to the B&B or Aarons gate at least once a year...sometimes twice :) I helps us remember just what it is we love about each other.
Posted by: June Williams | Saturday, June 13, 2009 at 10:01 PM
What a cute place -- I LOVE IT!!! I do believe this post has just dramatically decreased any summer availability though. :(
Posted by: Amanda | Sunday, June 14, 2009 at 04:40 PM
I'm packing.
I think I want to go there.
Forever.
Posted by: Fiddledeedee | Monday, June 15, 2009 at 06:08 AM
Congratulations and blessings! How lovely of your husband to come up with such a sweet surprise.
My husband and I have been married multiple decades--and happily. The best part about a good marriage is that the place doesn't make the celebration...your marriage does.
We're blessed to share faith in Jesus, too, so we're not on our own. Take it from me, love and marriage can keep getting better with every passing year. I think that's why God intended it to be for life. It takes that long...
Posted by: Lenore Buth | Monday, June 15, 2009 at 12:28 PM
HI Shannon, it sounds absolutely perfect to me, too!
We just celebrated 18. Amazing.
Posted by: sandy | Monday, June 15, 2009 at 03:21 PM
What a sweet place - looks wonderful!
Best Part for me? The Sonic drink poised on the Hot Tub - now that's relaxing!! :)
Posted by: SaraG | Monday, June 15, 2009 at 05:17 PM
That little dining area is the coolest thing ever! I can't imagine that in the tiny little cabin. :) How wonderful.
Posted by: Kristin | Monday, June 15, 2009 at 09:01 PM
Wow! What an incredible Man, Husband, and Father YOU have taught him to be.
Belatedly, HAPPY 15th!!!!!
I love you both so much, Gego
Posted by: Gego | Monday, June 15, 2009 at 10:57 PM
For our first anniversary, my husband surprised me for a weekend getaway to a murder mystery B&B in Guthrie. It was great! It also started a tradition of alternating who gets to plan our anniversary celebration each year. My turn is next May, so I may take a closer look at Aaron's Gate. Thanks for the idea!
Posted by: Dayna | Tuesday, June 16, 2009 at 11:37 AM
I have occassionally stalked your blog in the past, and I have to say it's a wonderful blog. I, too, live in Oklahoma, and my husband and I go to the Arcadian every year for our anniversary. Last year, we spent our anniversary at the french hen, too. Wasn't it just so wonderful?! Well, I just wanted to say thanks for the great blog, and it's great to meet fellow bloggers in OK!
Posted by: Beth C | Tuesday, June 16, 2009 at 02:41 PM
Isn't Aaron's Gate just wonderful ?? We are regulars there, making a once a year trip there every January for a "renewal" of our marriage. Our anniversary is in May, so that's not the reason.
We stayed in the French Hen this past January, and I have already booked this coming January at one of the other cottages. It will be our fourth visit to either the Arcadian Inn or Aaron's Gate.
I've looked for other places to go, but nothing quite matches up.
Cudos to your hubby for finding it and taking you there.
Posted by: Libbi | Wednesday, June 17, 2009 at 03:14 PM