ECC Couples' Retreat - Galena, IL

This weekend, we helped host a Couples' Retreat up in Galena. We lucked out and got to stay in the big house with the rest of the Marriage Ministry team and some of the church staff. It was definitely the coolest place I've ever stayed (so far). We'd never been to Galena, so we made an impulsive decision to stay another night so that we could explore & shop. The Bruckers wanted to stick around too, so we ended up renting a 2 BR suite at the last B&B with a vacancy in town that night. It was a total dive, but at least we had good company. :) Here are some pics from the weekend:

The nametag on our door at the house:

Our registration table at Galena Bible Church:

It was so awesome to see 71 married couples attend!

We had a professional dance instructor at the house party!

So, now for the comparisons btw Friday night and Saturday night...
Friday - ENORMOUS Living Room/Kitchen

Saturday - okay, this part isn't THAT bad.

Friday Night - BEAUTIFUL bathroom!
... with a walk-in shower!

Saturday night - teeny shower stall.

Friday night - Each bedroom had a theme related to something you could do in Galena like golfing, skiiing, and hot air balloon rides. We had the wine room - I think it was the coolest. :) By the way, there were two of these beds in our room.

Saturday Night - There was a theme as well - bird houses.

Friday night - fireplace

Saturday night - fireplace (it didn't work).
Friday Night - HUGE basement

Saturday night - if you could get over the smell in the basement, you could play pool.Okay, so maybe we're hotel snobs, but I think it's fair to say that most people expect a place to be either as nice or nicer than home. After staying in the 12,000 square foot luxury home, the Bed & Breakfast didn't have much of a chance of living up to that experience.

Saturday afternoon, we rented a boat and played on Lake Geneva. It was such a beautiful day!