This was great....

About two years ago I was on Legal Insurrection and found a reference to Pat at And So It Goes in Shreveport. I checked this site out and really enjoyed the blog and started to exchange posts with Pat regularly.  Pat and I really linked when a little over a year ago she posted on CPL Blaird Scott of the Shreveport PD  and we worked on getting him support in his time of need.

Beth and I planned to go to the Blue Knights International Convention this week and I asked Pat earlier this year if she and Steve wanted to meet. Pat was very enthuastic  and suggested we met for lunch and some time together in Jefferson.   Unfortunately the convention was bumped (my promotion assessment and Beth's school) but we still met up on Sunday afternoon in Jefferson.  

After driving up Sunday morning (and seeing the greatest billboard ever!) Beth and I met Pat and Steve at the Auntie Skinner's, a great restaurant and bar.  After driving up for 5 hours a beer was definitely needed.  Talking with these two was like catching up with old friends from high school.  After a great lunch (too much food) served by a waitress who busted her ass for this place (Charlene) we were walking out and found this small horse guarding the door.

Actually he was a guide dog for one of the other customers.  I can't recall his name but he was 106 pounds.

After checking in at the Excelsior House  we got a beautiful room across from Pat and Steve.  We both didn’t want to leave the  bed but we had the town to check out and some shopping to do.  Besides we had lunch to burn off!

Pat and Steve took us on a tour of the B&B.  The building was beautiful with each of the rooms having antique furniture, often over a century old.  I love real wood and just look at some of these bed and other items.

The Grant Room

The Hayes Room

After looking around there we took a tour of the town’s stores.  Beth was on the prowl for antiques and I gotta say there were some good things to buy there.  And we met some new friends.  

Beth's new broach

After a few hours in the heat and the a few purchases (including a brooch Beth will wear at the wedding) we took a power nap.  After meeting after 6:00 pm we went looking for dinner then ended up back at Auntie Skinner's,  To no surprise (she said she was working a double) Charlene was still there and still going at full speed (Damned, I remember being young and full of energy like that).  Even got the same table.  Dinner and more beer over great conversation.  

Pat and Steve then took us on a walking tour of the town and pointed out the history, especially in the Civil War.  

After getting back to the Excelsior we spent the next few hours out back killing beer and scotch, I enjoyed a Rocky Patel and we all talked the night away.  Beth and I regrettably had to call the night early as she had school Monday morning.  Cannot wait to see Pat and Steve again.  In the Blue Knights we have a saying, “There are no strangers here.  Just friends you haven’t met yet.”  Hopefully we can do brewery tour together soon!

After getting up at 4:30 Monday morning (man I used to go to sleep at this time!) we got on the road and made some great time.  Got home just in time to get Beth to class.

Not exactly a weekend but a great day and two new great friends.  Nothing better!